Veteran Indian actor Pankaj Dheer, widely recognized for his iconic portrayal of Karna in B.R. Chopra’s legendary television series Mahabharat, passed away at the age of 68. The actor succumbed to cancer on October 15 at 11:30 AM, after a prolonged illness.
His passing has deeply saddened the Indian entertainment industry, with numerous celebrities paying tribute to his legacy.
Just hours before the news of his father’s demise broke, his son, actor Nikitin Dheer, shared a poignant message on his Instagram story.
Nikitin Dheer’s post stated, “What comes, let it come. What stays, let it stay. What goes, let it go. As a devotee of Shiva, say ‘Shivarpana’ and move forward! He will handle everything. This is very difficult to do.”
Fellow Mahabharat co-stars also expressed their grief. Firoz Khan, who played Arjuna, shared a special motion video on Instagram featuring several happy moments with Pankaj Dheer.
Khan captioned his tribute, "Will always remember you."
Nitish Bharadwaj, known for his role as Lord Krishna in Mahabharat, posted a picture of Pankaj Dheer as Karna on Instagram. His caption reflected on life and memory.
Bharadwaj wrote, "We all have to go one day. But more important is that we should live in such a way that the world remembers us with love and respect. The Mahabharat team has lost another gem – a sensitive, courageous actor, who had a wonderful sense of humor and a heart of gold. The first angry young man of Indian literature is gone. May God grant his soul salvation and eternal peace."
Beyond Mahabharat, Pankaj Dheer had a prolific career spanning over 40 films and television shows. His filmography includes notable movies such as Saugandh, Sanam Bewafa, Sadak, and Baadshah.
On television, he was admired for his performances in popular series like Chandrakanta, Kanoon, Harishchandra, Yug, and Sasural Simar Ka. His versatility and powerful acting left a lasting impression on audiences across generations.