Dharamendra (born Dharmendra Singh Deol) is an Indian film actor, producer and politician. In 1997, he received the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award for his contribution to Hindi cinema.
His starring roles in action films earned him nicknames such as "Action King" and "He-Man". One of his most notable roles was in Sholay (1975).
Dharmendra was born in Nasrali, a village in Ludhiana district, Punjab to Kewal Kishan Singh Deol and Satwant Kaur in Jat family. His ancestral village is Dangon, near Pakhowal, Ludhiana.
When Dharmendra saw an advertisement for a movie in Filmfare by Bimal Roy and Guru Dutt, he went to Malerkotla to get his picture taken, by Jaan Mohammed (John & Sons). He made his debut with Arjun Hingorani's Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere in 1960. He had a supporting role in the film Boy Friend in 1961, and was cast as the romantic interest in several films between 1960-67.
His most successful pairing was with Hema Malini, who went on to become his wife. The couple played together in many films including Seeta Aur Geeta, Sharafat, Naya Zamana, Patthar Aur Payal, Tum Haseen Main Jawaan, Jugnu, Dost, Charas, Maa, Chacha Bhatija, Azaad, and Sholay.
Talking about the personal life of the actor, his first marriage was to Parkash Kaur at the age of 19 in 1954. From his first marriage, he has two sons, Sunny and Bobby, successful actors, and two daughters, Vijeeta and Ajeeta. He has four grandsons.