Pankaj Dheer, well known for his legendary roles as Karna in B.R. Chopra's Mahabharat and as King Shiv Dutt in Chandrakanta, died at the age of 68 after a battle with cancer.
Pankaj Dheer and Nikitin Dheer
Pankaj Dheer, well known for his legendary roles as Karna in B.R. Chopra's Mahabharat and as King Shiv Dutt in Chandrakanta, died at the age of 68 after a battle with cancer. Ashoke Pandit confirmed to PTI, "He died of cancer this morning." He had been in and out of the hospital in recent months. Pankaj Dheer is survived by his wife Anita Dheer and their son Nikitin, who is also an actor.
Nikitin Dheer shares an emotional note
Nikitin Dheer, the son of actor Pankaj Dheer, posted an emotional note about 'letting go' hours before his father passed away from cancer. It included a picture of Lord Shiva with the quote: "Whatever comes, Let it come. Whatever stays, let it stay. Whatever goes, let it go. As a Shiva Bhakt, say 'Shivarpanam' and move on! He'll take care!" - very hard to do."
CINTAA confirmed in a statement with India Today that read, “With profound grief and deep sorrow, we inform you of the passing away 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 p.m, next to Pawan Hans, Vile Parle(W), Mumbai.”
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. He also appeared in other Bollywood films, including Sadak, Soldier, and Baadshah.
Pankaj Dheer on his character in Dhruv Tara
Pankaj was last seen in the 2024 serial Dhruv Tara - Samay Sadi Se Pare, where he played Giriraj Seth. While talking to ETimes TV, the late actor had shared, "Not just mythological shows, I have done other shows too. I had not attempted something like this in the recent past. In my last show, Ajooni, I played the role of a terrible human being. And here’s there is chance to play a very sophisticated and dignified character. It is about trying to understand the character, trying to get a back story for the character, and visualising where he came from. Then there are mannerisms, the way he talks, the way he walks, and it’s something you create within your own mind as an actor and implement it. More than anything else, what’s important is the character study. Get under the skin of the character to make it real, to make it plausible for people to love it. So it’s my old technique, which I learnt from the masters." He also appeared in the 2019 web series Poison. Pankaj Dheer's family has yet to publish an official comment.
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
