BOLLYWOOD actor Sunny Deol today (23) joined the Bharatiya Janata Party, and praised prime minister Narendra Modi for being a leader capable of taking the country forward.

Deol joined the BJP amid speculation that he may be fielded from a Lok Sabha seat in Punjab.

“Like my father Dharmendra associated himself with Vajpayeeji, I am associating with Modiji. He has done a lot for the country and he can take us forward. Country needs leaders like him,” the 62-year-old said.

Welcoming him to the party, defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman said: “I am pleased to welcome a firebrand actor, popular, very committed to his art, young brave artist Sunny Deol to the BJP.”

Referring to his film Border, the minister added: "Sunny Deol made the film Border which showed how the feeling of nationalism and patriotism when portrayed beautifully on film can touch a cord with the people."

Last week, after his meeting with Amit Shah, Deol remained non-committal when asked about joining the party. "I heard about the rumours that I am joining politics. I just met him (Amit Shah) and we took a photograph, that's it," he had said.

Deol is the latest from his family to join politics. His father Dharmendra and step-mother Hema Malini are BJP supporters.