Mumbai, Oct 15 (UNI) Veteran actor Pankaj Dheer, best known for his iconic portrayal of Karna in B.R. Chopra’s legendary television series Mahabharat, died here today after a prolonged battle with cancer, industry sources confirmed.
Dheer, 68, is survived by his wife, Anita Dheer, a well-known costume designer, and their son, Nikitin Dheer, a successful actor in the Hindi film industry.
The actor had been undergoing treatment for several years.
Despite major surgery and a brief recovery, the illness relapsed a few months ago, ultimately proving fatal.
The Cine & TV Artistes’ Association (CINTAA) officially confirmed his demise, expressing deep sorrow. They noted that Dheer had been frequently hospitalised in recent months.
His last rites were performed at 4:30 p.m. at the Pawan Hans Crematorium in Vile Parle (West), Mumbai.
Dheer’s close friend and Mahabharat co-star Feroz Khan, who played Arjuna, in an emotional social media post, paying heartfelt tribute to his longtime companion.
Industry colleagues, including Gajendra Chauhan and Puneet Issar remembered him as a warm, jovial figure, admired for his generosity and gentle humour, in contrast to his often intense on-screen roles.
Dheer’s portrayal of Karna in the 1988–1990 television epic remains one of the most acclaimed performances in Indian television history.
His image as Karna has appeared in school textbooks, and statues inspired by the character have been installed in temples across India.
Beyond Mahabharat, Dheer’s television credits include key roles in Chandrakanta (as King Shiv Dutt), Zee Horror Show, Badho Bahu, and Devon Ke Dev… Mahadev (as Himavat).
His final television appearance was in the 2024 series Dhruv Tara.
In films, Dheer’s career spanned decades with memorable performances in movies like Sadak (as Inspector Irani), Soldier, Baadshah (with Shah Rukh Khan), and Andaaz.
He also directed the feature film My Father Godfather and acted in the web series Poison.
A respected figure in the entertainment industry, Dheer also served as Chairman of CINTAA, co-founded the Abbhinnay Acting Academy with actor Gufi Paintal, and helped establish Visage Studioz in Jogeshwari alongside his brother, Satluj Dheer.
Condolences have poured in from across the film and television industry, as well as from fans who fondly remembered his dignified portrayal of Karna and his immense contribution to Indian entertainment.
Pankaj Dheer’s artistic legacy endures through his rich body of work, and through his son, Nikitin, who continues to carry forward the family’s creative tradition in Indian cinema.
