Pankaj Dheer, the esteemed actor known for his powerful portrayal of Karna in the epic television series ‘Mahabharat,’ passed away on Wednesday. While celebrated for his on-screen grandeur, Dheer’s early life was marked by a profound struggle, a narrative he once revealed to be as arduous as that of the mythological hero he brought to life. His family’s financial hardship, surprisingly, stemmed from a cinematic endeavor his father undertook decades prior.
Dheer, who became a prominent figure in both television and film, began working at a remarkably young age. This necessity arose from an unexpected turn of events that plunged his family into economic distress. In a candid interview with Lehren Retro, Dheer recounted the poignant story of his father, C.L. Dheer, and an unfulfilled dream that had lasting repercussions.
C.L. Dheer entered the film industry in 1941, building a career that included years as an assistant to the legendary V. Shantaram. He went on to direct several successful films and also invested his own capital as a producer. In 1965, a significant project began: a film titled “Rano,” co-produced by C.L. Dheer and the acclaimed actress Geeta Bali. The film cast Dharmendra in the lead role and promised to be a major cinematic event.
However, tragedy struck before “Rano” could be completed. Geeta Bali fell gravely ill with chickenpox. During her illness, she made a solemn request to C.L. Dheer, asking him to abandon the film if she did not survive. True to his word, when Geeta Bali passed away, C.L. Dheer ceased production. Despite later pleas from industry stalwarts like Dilip Kumar and Meena Kumari, who urged him to complete the film with Meena Kumari, he steadfastly refused to compromise his promise.
The decision to honor Geeta Bali’s last wish, while deeply honorable, came at a considerable cost. The unreleased film meant a substantial financial loss for C.L. Dheer, and his family, including a young Pankaj, faced severe economic hardship. This period of adversity compelled Pankaj Dheer to embark on his acting journey early in life, driven by a desire to support his family. His path, much like Karna’s, was forged in struggle, ultimately leading him to become one of Indian entertainment’s most recognizable and respected faces.