I feel shy when people compliment me for my looks: Dharmendra

DharmendraNew Delh: He is regarded as one of the most handsome actors in Hindi cinema but yesteryear star Dharmendra says he gets shy when his co-stars or fans compliment him for his good looks.

The 78-year-old actor credits his healthy lifestyle and being content with his life behind his charming looks. "I am a shy person and I actually get embarrassed when people compliment me for my looks. But when I think about it later, I feel good. I don't have any regrets in my life. I am happy with whatever God has given me be it personally or professionally. I get up early in the morning and do yoga to stay fit. I don't go to gym and all," Dharmendra said.

The 'Chupke Chupke' star is going slow on films and doing what has been coming on his way. His last release 'Yamla Pagla Deewana 2', which also starred his sons Bobby and Sunny Deol, did not do good at the box-office.

Dharmendra says he is an artiste first and not a businessman. "I am not a greedy human being. I only wished that I should have films and a Fiat car. I am doing films which are coming my way. I am not in the rat race to be associated with the films that earn 100 crores or 500 crores. I am not that business minded. I think to adapt this quality one needs to have shrewd brain, which I don't have," he said.

The Padma Bhushan awardee started his career in films as a romantic hero. But he established himself as an action star with his tough image in 'Dharam Veer', 'Charas', 'Azaad' and 'Sholay' among others.

Dharmendra is all set to try his luck in Punjabi film 'Double Di Trouble' and says if he gets good scripts in regional cinema, he is open to doing them.

"If I get a good story, I will continue doing Punjabi films. I did a Bhojpuri film, which was a hit. I might also do a Marathi film. Camera is my beloved. I can't live without it," said the actor, who did many cameos in Punjabi films in the past.

Asked if he would return to TV as Bollywood celebrities are venturing into it, Dharmendra said, "TV is like a 9 to 5 job. I never thought I will do a routine job. I did 'India's Got Talent' and I got appreciations for it. But I won't do it again because I used to get tired after that."

The father of six is all set to reunite with his actor sons in his next Bollywood outing 'Ishq De Maare'. The film is directed by Neeraj Pathak, who earlier wrote 'Apne'. The script is written by Subhash Ghai.--PTI