Dharmendra is an Indian film actor best known for his role in the Hindi blockbuster movie ‘Sholay’ (1975). One of the most respected veteran actors in Indian film industry, Dharmendra is the recipient of the prestigious ‘Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award’ for his contribution to Hindi cinema. He was also honored with India's third-highest civilian honor ‘Padma Bhushan’ by the Government of India in 2012. At the peak of his career, he was considered to be among the most handsome actors in India with a huge female fan following. Born into a middle-class family in Punjab, he moved to Bombay (now Mumbai) as a young man looking for work. Good-looking and talented, he ventured into acting and landed leading roles in several romantic films during the 1960s. Eventually, he got noticed for his well-built physique and was promoted as an ‘action-hero’ as well. His action movies too proved to be very successful. Soon, he got the opportunity to share screen space with some of the best known names in Hindi film industry. He was catapulted to superstardom following the success of ‘Sholay.’ After establishing himself as a successful actor, he went on to produce films as well. He also launched his sons Sunny and Bobby who went on to become successful actors in their own rights. He also has political interests and was a member of the 15th Lok Sabha of India as part of the ‘Bharatiya Janata Party’ (BJP).