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Pankaj Dheer

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Pankaj Dheer
Dheer in 2011
Born(1956-11-09)9 November 1956
Punjab, India
Died15 October 2025(2025-10-15) (aged 68)
Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
OccupationActor
Years active1970–2025
Spouse
Anita Dheer
​
(m. 1979)​
ChildrenNikitin Dheer
RelativesKratika Sengar (daughter-in-law)

Pankaj Dheer (9 November 1956 – 15 October 2025) was an Indian actor who appeared in Hindi films and television. He was known for his role of Karna in the television series Mahabharat and roles in Chandrakanta, The Great Maratha, Yug and Badho Bahu. He appeared in several Hindi films in small roles, including Sadak, Soldier, Baadshah and Taarzan: The Wonder Car.

Career

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Dheer began his on-screen career in the film Poonam in 1981, which did poorly at the box office. He then played roles in several small films, until he got his big break, appearing in B. R. Chopra's epic television series Mahabharat, as Karna.[1] He was originally cast as Arjuna, but got the role of Karna due to his refusal to shave off his moustache.[2][3]

The role of Karna was the highlight of Dheer's career and made him a household name in India. His pictures were used in textbooks as reference to Karna and his statues are worshipped as Karna in temples in Karnal and Bastar.[1][4] He became a much sought-after actor for both television and movies after his success in Mahabharat.[1]

He appeared as the lead in debut episode Dastak of horror anthology TV series Zee Horror Show (1993), along with Archana Puran Singh.[5] He also played the lead as a defence lawyer in the TV Series Kanoon, a series based on court-room dramas.[6] He appeared as Hussain in the 1993 action film Pardesi.[7] He starred as the lead character of King Shivdutt in fantasy TV series Chandrakanta in 1994.[1]

He performed versatile supporting character roles in Hindi movies such as Soldier, Andaaz, Baadshah and Tumko Na Bhool Paayenge.[1] He appeared as Police Inspector Malik in the 1995 action film Nishana.[8] He collaborated with Vishnuvardhan and appeared as a supporting actor in Kannada movies such as Vishnu Vijaya, Appaji and Vishnu Sena.[9]

In 2006 Dheer established a shooting studio, Visage Studioz along with his brother Satluj Dheer at Jogeshwari, Mumbai.[10] In 2010, he opened Abbhinnay Acting Academy in Mumbai, with actor Gufi Paintal as the faculty head.[11] He directed the romantic comedy-drama film My Father Godfather in 2014.[12]

In 2011 he appeared in the Zee TV historical drama series Shobha Somnath Ki.[13] Between 2012 and 2014, he played the recurring role of Maharaj Himavan in the Mythological TV series Devon Ke Dev...Mahadev.[14][1] He reprised the role of Karna in the 2013 movie, Mahabharat Aur Barbareek, which also had appearances from several actors of the original 1989 Mahabharat TV series.[15] In 2015 he portrayed Anand Kapoor in the Sony TV soap opera Dil Ki Baatein Dil Hi Jaane[16] and appeared in the Zee TV drama series Doli Armaano Ki.[17] In 2016 he appeared in Life OK drama TV series Rishton Ka Saudagar – Baazigar.[18] He played the role of a wrestler, Ganga Singh Ahlawat, in romantic drama TV series Badho Bahu.[19] He played the role of Barrister D'Costa in the ZEE5 crime thriller web series Poison in 2019, which was his last performance in a web series.[20]

He played the double role of Ravindra Singh Bagga and Gyaneshwar Singh in drama TV series Ajooni in 2022–23.[21] In his last television appearance, he played the role of Giriraj in the Sci-fi Fantasy series Dhruv Tara – Samay Sadi Se Pare in 2024.[20][22]

Personal life and death

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Pankaj Dheer was born on 9 November 1956[23] in Punjab,[24][25][23] India. Dheer had a son, Nikitin Dheer, who is also an actor. Nikitin is married to actress Kratika Sengar.[26]

Pankaj Dheer died from cancer on 15 October 2025, at the age of 68.[1][27][28] A funeral was held and he was cremated at Pawan Hans Crematorium in the Vile Parle West area of Mumbai.[29][30] Salman Khan, Sidharth Malhotra, Firoz Khan and several other actors paid their last respects.[29][30]

Filmography

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As director

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Year Title Ref.
2014 My Father Godfather [31][12]

As actor

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Films

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Year Title Role(s) Notes Ref.
1981 Poonam Girija [1]
1983 Sookha [1]
1987 Meraa Suhaag [1]
1990 Randam Varavu DIG Vishnu IPS Malayalam film [1]
1990 Jeevan Ek Sanghursh Mahesh Dholakia [32][1]
1991 Saugandh Thakur Ranveer Singh [33]
1991 Sanam Bewafa Zuber Khan [34]
1991 Sadak Inspector Irani [34]
1991 Majboor Ladki [35]
1992 Mr. Bond Dragon / Daga [36]
1992 Jaagruti Custom Officer Vishal [37]
1993 Pardesi Hussian [7]
1993 Aashik Awara Ranveer [34]
1993 Ashaant Amit [9]
1994 Ikke Pe Ikka Randhir [38]
1995 Nishana Police Commissioner Mallik [8]
1996 Appaji Arjun Kannada Film [9]
1998 Soldier Vijay Malhotra [34]
1999 Baadshah Chief Security Officer Khanna [34]
2002 Tumko Na Bhool Paayenge Shivpratap Singh [20]
2003 Om Mr. Dhariwal [39]
2003 Andaaz Professor Rohit Malhotra [34]
2003 Zameen Captain Basheer Ali [34]
2004 Taarzan: The Wonder Car Rakesh Kapoor [40][34]
2005 Vishnu Sena DCP Samarjith singh Kannada Film [9]
2006 Sarhad Paar Suraj [41]
2013 Gippi Papaji [42]
2013 Mahabharat Aur Barbareek Karna [15]
2016 Kaptaan Dhillon Punjabi Film [43]

Television

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Year Serial Role Ref.
1988–1990 Mahabharata Karna [44]
1993 Zee Horror Show Monty [5]
1993 Kanoon Vijay Saxena [6]
1994–1996 Chandrakanta Raja Shivdutt [1][45]
1994 The Great Maratha Sadashivrao Bhau [46]
1997 Yug Ali Khan [47]
1997–1998 Mahabharat Katha Karna [48]
1999 Rishtey Dayashankar [49]
2004–2005 Kamini Damini Kamini's husband [50]
2008–2009 Teen Bahuraaniyaan Dwarkadas [34]
2008–2010 Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat Mr. Sisodia "Raja Sahab" [51]
2010 Rang Badalti Odhani Sarpanch [52]
2011–2012 Sasural Simar Ka Jamnalal Dwivedi [53]
2011 Shobha Somnath Ki Kirit Chalukya [13]
2012–2014 Devon Ke Dev...Mahadev Maharaj Himavan [1][14]
2012 Savdhaan India Gurubaksh [54]
2015 Dil Ki Baatein Dil Hi Jaane Anand Kapoor [16]
2015 Doli Armaano Ki Mr. Jaamdar [17]
2016 Rishton Ka Saudagar – Baazigar Kailashnath Trivedi [18]
2016–2018 Badho Bahu Ganga Singh Ahlawat [19]
2019 Poison Barrister D'Costa [20]
2022–2023 Ajooni Ravindra Singh Bagga, Gyaneshwar Singh [21]
2024 Dhruv Tara – Samay Sadi Se Pare Giriraj [22][20]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n "'Mahabharat' star Pankaj Dheer passes away at 68 after long battle with cancer". Times of India. 16 October 2025. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
  2. ^ "Pankaj Dheer reveals BR Chopra kicked him out of Mahabharat after he refused to shave his moustache for Arjuna's role". The Indian Express. Chennai. 4 December 2023. Archived from the original on 11 December 2023. Retrieved 20 October 2025.
  3. ^ Das, Santanu (15 October 2025). "RIP Pankaj Dheer: Did you know he was to play Arjun in Mahabharat but got Karna's due to a 'bewakoofi'?". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 20 October 2025. Retrieved 20 October 2025.
  4. ^ "Did you know Mahabharat's Karan, Pankaj Dheer's statue is worshipped in temples in Karnal and Bastar? – Television News". India Today. 27 May 2020. Archived from the original on 13 March 2024. Retrieved 20 October 2025.
  5. ^ a b "Horror shows, where art thou?". Deccan Herald. 12 March 2011. Archived from the original on 15 October 2025. Retrieved 15 October 2025.
  6. ^ a b Agarwal, Amit (15 December 1993). "B.R. Chopra back on TV with courtroom drama". India Today. Archived from the original on 26 November 2024. Retrieved 15 October 2025.
  7. ^ a b Pardesi Full Movie 4K | Mithun Chakraborty, Varsha Usgaonkar, Shakti Kapoor | परदेसी (1993) (Video) (in Hindi). 22 February 2023. Event occurs at 00:35. Archived from the original on 2 November 2023. Retrieved 22 October 2025 – via Youtube.
  8. ^ a b निशाना Nishana - Full Movie | Mithun Chakraborty, Rekha, Paresh Rawal, Pankaj Dheer, Raza Murad (Video) (in Hindi). 29 August 2022. Event occurs at 00:39. Archived from the original on 17 May 2023. Retrieved 22 October 2025 – via Youtube.
  9. ^ a b c d "ವಿಷ್ಣು ವಿಜಯ್, ಅಪ್ಪಾಜಿ, ವಿಷ್ಣು ಸೇನಾ ಸಿನಿಮಾದಲ್ಲಿ ಮಿಂಚಿದ್ದ ನಟ ಪಂಕಜ್ ಧೀರ್ ಇನ್ನಿಲ್ಲ!". Vijayavani (in Kannada). Mumbai. 15 October 2025. Archived from the original on 16 October 2025. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
  10. ^ "Akshay inaugurates Pankaj Dheer's studio". Bollywood Hungama. 11 February 2006. Archived from the original on 15 September 2009. Retrieved 30 June 2010.
  11. ^ "Akshay inaugurates Abbhinnay Acting Academy". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 12 April 2010.
  12. ^ a b "'My Father Godfather': A preview". Zee News. New Delhi. 19 February 2014. Archived from the original on 7 March 2014. Retrieved 15 October 2025.
  13. ^ a b "Another tale of valour". The New Indian Express. Mumbai. 17 May 2012. Archived from the original on 21 April 2025. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
  14. ^ a b "On the sets: 'Devon Ke Dev...Mahadev'". Times of India. 14 August 2012. Archived from the original on 28 November 2022. Retrieved 22 October 2025.
  15. ^ a b Manwani, Akshay (1 April 2013). "The Show of Shows". The Caravan. Archived from the original on 1 March 2025. Retrieved 22 October 2025.
  16. ^ a b Dil Ki Baatein Dil Hi Jaane – दिल की बातें दिल ही जाने – Episode 26 – 5th May 2015 (Video) (in Hindi). Retrieved 16 October 2025 – via Youtube.
  17. ^ a b "Pankaj Dheer Family: पिता थे प्रोड्यूसर, बेटा सलमान-शाहरुख की फिल्म में बना विलेन, मिलिए पंकज धीर के परिवार से". TV9 Bharatvarsh (in Hindi). 16 October 2025. Archived from the original on 20 October 2025. Retrieved 20 October 2025.
  18. ^ a b "It's tough for actors to break from characters: Ishita Dutta". Business Standard. Mumbai. 12 July 2016. Archived from the original on 20 August 2016. Retrieved 20 October 2025.
  19. ^ a b Razzaq, Sameena (22 August 2016). "Pankaj Dheer to play Prince Narula's father on new show". Deccan Chronicle. Archived from the original on 30 November 2024. Retrieved 22 October 2025.
  20. ^ a b c d e "'Mahabharat', 'Chandrakanta' star Pankaj Dheer dies at 68". Deccan Herald. 15 October 2025. Archived from the original on 16 October 2025. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
  21. ^ a b "Pankaj Dheer to be seen in a double role in Ajooni; will be seen as Masterji". The Times of India. 20 July 2023. Archived from the original on 21 July 2023. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
  22. ^ a b Mondal, Sukarna (9 July 2024). "Exclusive: Pankaj Dheer on his role in Dhruv Tara; says 'It is very different from what I had done in the recent past'". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 16 January 2025. Retrieved 20 October 2025.
  23. ^ a b Toppo, Nikita (15 October 2025). "Pankaj Dheer dies at 68: Inside the family, net worth, and career of Mahabharat's Karna". WION. Archived from the original on 20 October 2025. Retrieved 20 October 2025.
  24. ^ ""Pankaj Dheer Recovered From Cancer But Relapsed Last Year": Mahabharat Co-Star Puneet Issar". NDTV. New Delhi. 17 October 2025. Archived from the original on 20 October 2025. Retrieved 20 October 2025.
  25. ^ Sharma, Karishma (15 October 2025). "From Epic Television to Punjabi Roots: Remembering Pankaj Dheer". ghaintpunjab.com. Archived from the original on 20 October 2025. Retrieved 20 October 2025.
  26. ^ "Nikitin Dheer and Kratika Sengar – Yeh Hai Mohabbatein's Karan Patel to Taarak Mehta's Disha Vakani: TV actors who opted for an arranged marriage". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 26 February 2025. Retrieved 24 January 2020.
  27. ^ Pant, Asmita (15 October 2025). "'Mahabharat' actor Pankaj Dheer dies after battle with cancer". CNBC TV18. Archived from the original on 15 October 2025. Retrieved 15 October 2025.
  28. ^ "Pankaj Dheer Death: 'महाभारत'मधील 'कर्ण' काळाच्या पडद्याआड, अभिनेते पंकज धीर यांचं कर्करोगानं निधन". Lokmat. 15 October 2025. Retrieved 17 October 2025.
  29. ^ a b "Pankaj Dheer passed away: Sidharth Malhotra attends veteran actor's funeral; Offers condolences to Nikitin Dheer and family". The Times of India. 16 October 2025. Archived from the original on 20 October 2025. Retrieved 20 October 2025.
  30. ^ a b Bhattacharya, Tanisha (15 October 2025). "Pankaj Dheer Cremation: Salman Khan, Sidharth Malhotra And Others Arrive To Pay Last Respects". NDTV. New Delhi. Archived from the original on 20 October 2025. Retrieved 20 October 2025.
  31. ^ "Sneak peek into 'My Father Godfather': Of dreams, lies & underworld | Latest News & Updates at DNAIndia.com". Archived from the original on 7 March 2014. Retrieved 19 March 2014.
  32. ^ Jeevan Ek Sanghursh Full Movie | Anil Kapoor, Madhuri Dixit, Paresh Rawal, Rakhee | 90's Hindi Movie (Video) (in Hindi). Rajshri Productions. 28 May 2019. Event occurs at 00:50 – via YouTube.
  33. ^ Nautiyal, Urvashi (15 October 2025). "एक मूंछ ने 'अर्जुन' को बना दिया 'कर्ण', पंकज धीर तो चले गए पीछे रह गई महाभारत से जुड़ी ये यादगार कहानी". NDTV (in Hindi). New Delhi. Archived from the original on 16 October 2025. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
  34. ^ a b c d e f g h i "'Mahabharat', 'Chandrakanta' actor Pankaj Dheer dies at 68". The Hindu. Mumbai. 15 October 2025. Archived from the original on 16 October 2025. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
  35. ^ "Majboor Ladki". British Board of Film Classification. Archived from the original on 22 October 2025. Retrieved 22 October 2025.
  36. ^ "Even Akshay Kumar will not want to see this throwback photo from 1992 film Mr Bond". India Today. New Delhi. 28 February 2019. Archived from the original on 28 November 2019. Retrieved 20 October 2025.
  37. ^ "'Salman Khan was pressing a real knife to my throat, I started bleeding': Ashok Saraf recalls suffering a deep cut during Jaagruti shoot". The Indian Express. New Delhi. 28 July 2025. Archived from the original on 28 July 2025. Retrieved 20 October 2025.
  38. ^ Pal, Nidhi (15 October 2025). "Pankaj Dheer Passes Away: क्या काम करते हैं पंकज धीर की पत्नी और बच्चे? एक क्लिक में जान लें यहां". ABP News (in Hindi). Archived from the original on 20 October 2025. Retrieved 20 October 2025.
  39. ^ Ganapati, Priya (22 March 2003). "Om cuts like a knife". Rediff.com. Archived from the original on 25 February 2025. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
  40. ^ "BBC - Shropshire - Bollywood - Taarzan - The Wonder Car". www.bbc.co.uk. Archived from the original on 15 November 2022. Retrieved 20 October 2025.
  41. ^ "Pankaj Dheer movies and TV shows: Check full list of Karna-famed actor's work apart from BR Chopra's Mahabharat". The Economic Times. 15 October 2025. Archived from the original on 16 October 2025. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
  42. ^ Swati Deogire (10 May 2013). "Movie review: Gippi is adorable". in.com. Archived from the original on 8 June 2013. Retrieved 10 May 2013.
  43. ^ "KAPTAAN". British Board of Film Classification. Archived from the original on 9 June 2016. Retrieved 20 October 2025.
  44. ^ Awaasthi, Kavita (6 May 2016). "Actors talk about what went into making Mahabharat in 1988". Hindustan Times. Mumbai. Archived from the original on 19 March 2025. Retrieved 15 October 2025.
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  46. ^ Mehrotra, Manish (6 December 2019). ""The Great Maratha" Echoes In "Panipat"". Dissdash. Archived from the original on 28 January 2022. Retrieved 15 October 2025.
  47. ^ Tiwari, Aarti (6 March 2025). "Mahabharat Actor Pankaj Dheer Critical, Gets Admitted To ICU". iwmbuzz.com. Archived from the original on 12 June 2025. Retrieved 15 October 2025.
  48. ^ Mahabharat Katha Episode 16 (Video) (in Hindi). Event occurs at 38:11. Archived from the original on 16 October 2025. Retrieved 16 October 2025 – via Dailymotion.
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  50. ^ Ayaz, Shaikh (25 February 2005). "Forked Act. Hema Malini On Her Dream Double Role In TV's Kamini-Damini". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 20 October 2025. Retrieved 20 October 2025.
  51. ^ "Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat". The Times of India. 25 August 2008. Archived from the original on 25 August 2017. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
  52. ^ Bhatnagar, Akash (15 October 2025). "Pankaj Dheer death: Karan Tacker, Vatsal Sheth, Ishita Dutta pay tribute to their former co-star". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 16 October 2025. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
  53. ^ Kulkarni, Onkar (13 May 2011). "Sasural Simar Ka". The Indian Express. Archived from the original on 8 July 2017. Retrieved 20 October 2025.
  54. ^ Savdhaan India – S43 E10 A son breaks the trust (Video) (in Hindi). Retrieved 16 October 2025 – via Hotstar.
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