Recuperating Khali dances to Hindi songs

NAHAN - Recuperating from a knee surgery, popular World Wrestling Federation (WWF) wrestler The Great Khali can’t do what he’s best at right now. But injury didn’t stop him from shaking a leg to Hindi songs at his younger brother’s wedding in a Himachal Pradesh village Thursday.

Khali, who recently underwent a knee surgery, was at his native Dhirana village in Himachal Pradesh’s Sirmaur district to attend the wedding of his younger brother Bhagat Rana.

“Doctors have advised me to avoid wrestling, not dancing. Dancing along with family members and old friends, especially during a marriage, is a memorable experience,” Khali said at his residence. He reached his village from Delhi Wednesday night.

Born Dalip Singh Rana, Khali — one of the tallest WWF wrestlers at 7 feet 3 inches and weighing 190 kg — grew up in Dhirana village, some 200 km from state capital Shimla.

“I will remain out of action for some more time (due to the surgery). I still find it difficult while walking and travelling. But attending the wedding of my younger brother was unavoidable,” he said.

Khali is practising wrestling regularly even after the surgery.

“I am practising daily for eight to 10 hours to keep myself fit. Very soon you will see me in action.”

On acting in Hollywood and Bollywood movies, he said: “I have signed two more (Bollywood) movies and one movie is releasing this month. I am getting good offers but I don’t have much time.”

Khali’s journey from his ancestral village to the international wrestling arena has been long and hard.

Born in a poor family, Khali initially worked as a labourer to earn his livelihood.

He later came in contact with Punjab’s former police chief M.S. Bhullar, who arranged a job for him in Punjab Police in 1993.

After learning wrestling tricks in the police, he went to the US for specialised training.

Rana became a professional wrestler in October 2000.