Indian movie actor Dharmendra, whose actual name is Dharmendra Keval Krishna Deol was born on 8 December 1935 in the Kapurthala District of Punjab. His parents were Kishan Singh Deol and Satwant Kaur. Later his family moved to Lalton village were his father was a school teacher. Dharmendra was married at the age of 19 to Prakash Kaur and took up a job with an American Drilling Company boring tube wells. The couple had two sons Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol. Later the actor married Bollywood actress Hema Malini and they had two daughters Esha Deol and Ahana Deol. Dharmendra was noticed in a Filmfare spot-the-talent contest and came to Mumbai to become an actor.

Dharmendra`s Film Career
Dharmendra was signed by Arjun Hingorani for `Dil Bhi Tera, Hum Bhi Tere` in the year 1960. However strong, romantic lead roles in women-oriented films like Anpadh (1962) with Mala Sinha, Bandini (1963) and Soorat Aur Seerat (1963) both with Nutan brought Dharmendra to the forefront. An intimacy with Meena Kumari saw the two of them starring together in a series of films. His first major hit film was `Phool Aur Paththar` and thus in the year of 1966 Dharmendra became a star. He acted in many other hits as a soft romantic hero like Pooja Ke Phool, Shaadi, Ayee Milan Ki Bela, Main Bhi Ladki Hoon, Poornima and many more. In the 1960s he was regarded as one of the five best-looking men in the world. In the late 60s Dharmendra ventured into action films such as Aankhein, Mera Gaon Mera Desh, Jugnu, Kahani Kismet Ki, Yaadon ki Baraat and Sholay, one of the biggest commercial successes of Hindi cinema.

Dharmendra next proved his versatility in Hrishikesh Mukherjee`s comedy flick Chupke Chupke. Dharmendra also formed a hugely successful pairing with Hema Malini, doing a string of hit films together such as Naya Zamana, Raja Jani, Seeta Aur Geeta, Jugnu, Dost and Sholay, Sharafat, Tum Haseen Main Jawaan, Dost, Charas, Maa, Chacha Bhatija, Azaad, Teesri Aankh, Sholay and the Burning Train. The ace actor has also worked with contemporary heroines such as with Sridevi in Naaka Bandi, Jaya Prada in Elaan-E-Jung, Dimple Kapadia in Shehzaade, Amrita Singh in Sachai Ki Taaqat and many others. Having worked with almost all notable directors, the actor has also to his credit of starring in Punjabi movies. Do Sher, Dukh Bhanjan Tera Naam, Teri Meri Ik Jindri, Putt Jattan De and Qurbani Jatt Di.

Dharmendra has launched both of his sons in films, Sunny Deol in Betaab in the year 1983 and Bobby Deol in Barsaat in the year 1995. He also launched his brother`s son, Abhay Deol in Socha Na Tha in 2005. In 2007 the actor reappeared in the movies Apne along with his two sons, Life In A Metro and Jonny Gaddaar and recently in Yamala Pagla Deewana.

Dharmendra had become active in politics with his wife Hema Malini. He won a position as a Member of Parliament in the 2004 general elections, from Bikaner in Rajasthan, on a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ticket.

Awards and honours of Dharmendra
Dharmendra won his first Filmfare Award for Best Film/Producer for Ghayal in 1991 and Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award for his contribution to Indian Cinema in 1997.In 2007 he got IIFA Lifetime Achievement Award. He is a recipient of the prestigious Living Legend Award by the Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the Indian entertainment industry as well. In 2003, he has won Lifetime Achievement Award at the Sansui Viewers` Choice Movie Awards. In 2004, he was honoured for Best Contribution to Indian Cinema. In 2005, he won Zee Cine Award for Lifetime Achievement, whereas in 2007, he won lifetime achievement award at the Pune International Film Festival (PIFF).. Among his other awards, The Punjabi newspaper `Quami Ekta` honoured him for his contributions to the Indian cinema. In 2008, he was awarded `Actor Par Excellence` at the Max Stardust Awards. In 2009, he received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Nashik International Film Festival (NIFF). In 2010, he was honoured as the Big Star Entertainer for his 50 years of excellence at the Big Star Entertainment Awards. He also received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Apsara Film and Television Producers Guild Awards and the "Salaaam Maharashtra Award" for completion of 50 years in the film industry.