Veteran actor Pankaj Dheer, best known for his iconic role as Karna in BR Chopra’s Mahabharat, passed away on October 15, 2025, after battling cancer. His cremation will take place in Mumbai on Wednesday evening
Pankaj Dheer
Indian actor Pankaj Dheer passed away on October 15 at the age of 68. He was widely known for his portrayal as Karna in BR Chopra's Mahabharat. The news has been confirmed by his friend and colleague Amit Behl to India Today. Reportedly, Pankaj had cancer but fought through it. However, it relapsed a few months back and he was extremely unwell. He also went through a major surgery for the same. The actor will be cremated in Mumbai on Wednesday evening.
Pankaj Dheer passes away
On Wednesday, an official statement from CINTAA (Cine & TV Artistes’ Association) confirmed the sad demise of the veteran actor. "With profound grief and deep sorrow, we inform you of the passing of our Trust’s erstwhile Chairman and CINTAA's former Hon. General Secretary, Shri Pankaj Dheer ji, on 15th October 2025. The cremation will be held today at 4:30 pm, next to Pawan Hans, Vile Parle (W), Mumbai."
Pankaj Dheer is survived by his wife, Anita Dheer, and a son, actor Nikitin Dheer.
Pankaj Dheer's journey in the film industry
Pankaj was a popular face in Hindi TV and in films. He rose to popularity with his role of Karna in BR Chopra's acclaimed TV show Mahabharat which went on air in the late 1980s. Such was the popularity of the show and his character that his face was used as reference for Karna in school textbooks. Not just that, but his statues were installed for worship in temples of Karnal and Bastar.
He has also acted in several films, including Sanam Bewafa, Baadshah, Saugandh, and TV shows like Chandrakanta and Sasural Simar Ka. He appeared at the lead in debut episode Dastak, TV series, Zee Horror Show (1993), along with Archana Puran Singh. He also played the lead as a defence lawyer in the TV Series Kanoon, a series based on court-room dramas.
Dheer also worked as a director and helmed a film titled My Father Godfather. He founded the Abhinay Acting Academy with actor Gufi Paintal as the head of faculty in the year 2010. Before that, he had established a shooting studio, Visage Studioz along with his brother Satluj Dheer at Jogeshwari, Mumbai.
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