'Mahabharat' actor Pankaj Dheer dies after battle with cancer

Veteran actor Pankaj Dheer, best known for his portrayal of Karna in BR Chopra’s Mahabharat, passed away on October 15 after a battle with cancer. He was 68. His Mahabharat co-star Arjun Feroz Khan remembered him on social media, sharing pictures while condoling his demise.

Born in 1956, Dheer became a familiar face on Indian television through the late 1980s and 1990s. His performance in Mahabharat earned him widespread acclaim; his images were even reproduced in school textbooks to represent Karna.

Over the years, he featured in several popular TV shows, including

Chandrakanta, The Great Maratha, Yug, Sasural Simar Ka

, and Badho Bahu. On the big screen, Dheer appeared in films such as Sadak, Sanam Bewafa, Soldier, and Baadshah.

Beyond acting, he co-founded Visage Studioz in 2006, a shooting studio in Mumbai’s Jogeshwari, with his brother Satluj Dheer. In 2010, he also launched Abbhinnay Acting Academy, where his fellow Mahabharat actor Gufi Paintal served as faculty head.

Dheer is survived by his wife Anita Dheer, son, actor Nikitin Dheer. Nikitin Dheer is married to television actress Kratika Sengar.