Dhalsim is a recurring character in many installments of the long-running Street Fighter series of fighting games.

According to his official biography, Dhalsim was born in India on November 22, 1952. He stands 176 cm tall (a little over 5' 9") and weighs 48 kg. His blood type is O. He is a skilled ascetic. He likes curry and meditation, and dislikes sweet foods and meat. His fighting style is based on yoga.

Generally a pacifist, Dhalsim fights to raise money for his village. The only significant part he played in the overall story of the series was to make Cammy self-aware, but he is otherwise a secondary character. His intense training has given Dhalsim the ability to contort and extend his extremities in ways that are physically impossible. He can also read minds, sense evil, suspend himself in midair, and travel bodily through the Astral plane in a form of teleportation.

According to early sources, eating spicy Indian curry gave Dhalsim the ability to breathe fire, but this was changed into a gift from Agni, the Indian god of fire. Dhalsim apparently does not have an oath of celibacy, as he has a wife (Sally) and son (Datta). The skulls he wears around his neck are those of village children that died during a plague.

Dhalsim is aware that if he uses his power, he may turn evil, and frequently questions his decisions to fight with them.

The majority of the time, Dhalsim is voiced by Yoshiharu Yamada. In SVC Chaos, Eiji Yano voices Dhalsim.

Live Action Movie

Dhalsim was portrayed by Roshan Seth in 1994's live action Street Fighter movie.

In this adaptation Dhalsim was changed from a fighter to a meek doctor working on a "super soldier" experiment for the film's villian M. Bison.