Veteran actor Pankaj Dheer, best remembered for his powerful portrayal of Karna in the iconic television series Mahabharata, passed away at 68. His demise marks the end of an era in Indian television. Fans and colleagues are mourning the loss of the beloved screen legend.
Pankaj Dheer, a well-known actor in Hindi and Punjabi films, has passed away in Mumbai. He was 68 years old.
He gained popularity for his powerful role as Karna in BR Chopra's TV serial "Mahabharata," which aired on Doordarshan in 1988.
Pankaj Dheer had been ill for the past few months and had been suffering from cancer.
Pankaj Dheer's last rites will be performed on Wednesday at 4:30 pm at the crematorium in Vile Parle, Mumbai.
In Mahabharat Pankaj Dheer played the role of Karna, a strong and tragic warrior, which made him very popular in India. His strong presence, expressive way of speaking, and deep emotions made him one of the most loved characters in the show, along with Arjun and Bhishma.
Pankaj had a long and varied career in movies and TV
After Mahabharata, Pankaj had a long and varied career in movies and TV. He acted in many Bollywood films like Baadshah, Tumko Na Bhool Payenge, Andaaz, Tarzan: The Wonder Car, and Zameen. On TV, he was seen in well-known shows like Bado Bahu, Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat, Sasural Simar Ka, Shobha Somnath Ki, and Devon Ke Dev…Mahadev.
Pankaj was truly dedicated to his craft: Amit Behl
Actor Amit Behl, a friend and colleague of Pankaj, shared a touching tribute. He described Pankaj as having a strong presence and intensity in his role as Karna. Behl praised Pankaj for his impeccable manners, hard work, and deep knowledge of filmmaking. He said that Pankaj understood everything about cinema, including directing, editing, scripting, acting, and camera work. Although he didn’t always get the recognition he deserved, Behl said Pankaj was truly dedicated to his craft.