dingko singh, boxer dingko singh, farhan akhtar, shahid kapoor, randeep hooda, Raja Krishna Menon, Asian Games gold
Image Source - Twitter

Actor Shahid Kapoor has tweeted his condolence message at the death of boxer Dingko Singh. Dingko died on Thursday after a long battle with liver cancer at the age of 42. Taking to Twitter, Shahid Kapoor wrote, “Padma Shri Dingko Singh was one of the finest boxers, an award-winning sportsperson who’s brought glory to our nation several times. He will always remain a source of inspiration for the young generations. My sincere condolences to his dear ones. May his soul rest in peace(sic).”

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A couple of years back Shahid also told the media that he had the rights to make a film on Dingko Singh. However, the project never materialised. “I have the rights for Dingko Singh. It’s a film I really want to make, and I’ll make it. But I don’t know what I’m doing next,” the actor had said.

Director Raja Krishna Menon, who was set to direct the biopic, was also saddened by the fact that a film couldn’t be made on his life while he was still alive. “It is unfortunate and terrible. This has come as a shock. I knew he was ill and suffering but I didn’t know it was this bad. He was a wonderful human being and a spiritual person. It is unfortunate that we couldn’t make the film before he could have seen it,” Menon told PTI. “The film got stuck… we will see what happens,” Menon said, adding, Singh was aware that the project was on hold. “He wanted the film to be made because he wanted the story to be told to inspire people. He was a pragmatic person. He never called me or asked why it was stuck.”

Randeep Hooda also paid a tribute, by sharing Dingko Singh’s picture on Twitter, and he wrote, “A boxing legend that inspired so many that continue to follow in his footsteps.. RIP N Dingko Singh He put hope back in the sport of Boxing by winning a Gold in Asian Games in Bangkok in 1998. A true Son of Manipur, India(sic).” 

Actor-director Farhan Akhtar also tweeted about the late boxer and wrote, “RIP Dingko Singh. You will always be remembered for the glory you brought our country in the ring. Deepest condolences to the family. ??”

Singh won the Asian Games gold in 1998 and was bestowed the Arjuna award the same year. In 2013, he was honoured with the Padma Shri for his contribution to the sport. Singh was reportedly diagnosed with liver cancer in 2017. He had also tested positive for Covid-19 last year but had recovered.

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