The Indian television fraternity is in shock over the passing away of popular actor Pankaj Dheer, known for his legendary performance as Karna in B.R. Chopra’s iconic TV serial Mahabharat. The much-loved actor died at the age of 68 after a long and valiant fight with cancer. He succumbed to death at his home in Mumbai on Tuesday morning in the presence of his family members and intimate friends.
Pankaj Dheer’s death seals the end of an era for Indian television. His acting as Karna — the chivalrous and tragic hero of the Mahabharat — is still imprinted in the hearts of millions who watched the show as children in the late 1980s and early 1990s. His powerful, authoritative voice and upright screen presence made him one of the most recognizable faces of Indian mythological television.
Born on November 9, 1956, in Mumbai, Pankaj Dheer was born into a family that had strong movie roots. He started his acting career in the early 1980s and rose to fame soon with Mahabharat, which became an overnight cultural phenomenon. Throughout the decades, he worked in many TV serials and films, such as Sadda Haq, Yug, Chandrakanta, and Badshah, among many others.
Apart from performing, Dheer was also a well-known personality in the industry for his work off-screen. He founded Abhinetri Acting Academy in Mumbai, where he groomed hundreds of aspiring actors. Many recall him as a talented artist, as well as a benevolent mentor who believed in grooming the next generation of talent.
The actor leaves behind his wife and son, Nikitin Dheer, a renowned actor known for working in films such as Chennai Express and Shershaah. The family has requested privacy at this trying moment as condolences keep pouring in from within the film and television industry.
Celebrities, co-stars, and fans have gone onto social media to mourn and pay tribute. Actor Mukesh Khanna, who acted as Bhishma in Mahabharat, referred to him as “a true gentleman and a great artist who added poise and depth to every role.”
Pankaj Dheer’s untimely death creates a gap in Indian entertainment that will be difficult to fill. His legacy as Karna — the brave warrior struggling between destiny and loyalty — will live on through the ages that continue to draw inspiration from his performances.
