Born on November 9, 1956, in Punjab, Pankaj Dheer came from a family with strong ties to the film industry. He was married to Anita Dheer and had a son, actor Nikitin Dheer, who is married to actress Kratika Sengar

He served as a sub-inspector in the Bombay Police in the late 1940s. He co-founded an acting academy in Mumbai with actor Gufi Paintal. 

Pankaj Dheer directed the first Indian adult film Bombay Fantasy

Pankaj Dheer is best known for his character Karn in Mahabharat

Pankaj Dheer shared a strong bond with his Mahabharat co-actors; the actors shot the show like a family and have fond memories together

Dheer's career extended several decades, and he became a household name on Indian television. He has appeared in various television shows, including Chandrakanta, Badho Bahu, Zee Horror Show, and Kanoon, as well as films including Soldier, Andaz, Baadshah, and Tumko Na Bhool Paayenge

Pankaj Dheer also appeared in other Bollywood films, including as Sadak, Soldier, and Baadshah.

Pankaj was last seen in the 2024 serial Dhruv Tara – Samay Sadi Se Pare, where he played the role of Giriraj Seth. He was also seen in the 2019 web series Poison.

Nikitin Dheer had once shared with ETimes TV, how his father encouraged him to take up the role of Ravan in Srimad Ramayan and shared his experience of working in mythological shows

Jayati Bhatia exclusively shared with mid-day her fond memories of the actor in Sasural Simar Ka. She even recalled how Pankaj called her to praise her performance in Heeramandi