News of Actor Pankaj Dheer’s Death: On Wednesday, at the age of 68, Pankaj Dheer, who was most renowned for portraying Karna in BR Chopra’s hit television series Mahabharat, died in Mumbai. Pankaj was afflicted with cancer.
The death of Pankaj Dheer was announced by the Cine and TV Artistes’ Association (CINTAA). We regret to notify you of the passing on October 15, 2025, of Shri Pankaj Dheer ji, the former Chairman of our Trust and the Hon. General Secretary of CINTAA. The cremation will take place adjacent to Pawan Hans in Vile Parle (W), Mumbai, today at 4:30 p.m. Mumbai will host the actor’s funeral on Wednesday night.
Despite playing a variety of parts during his illustrious career, Pankaj’s performance in Mahabharat helped him gain widespread popularity. The actor claimed that the mythological figure was now connected to him in a 2020 interview with SCREEN. “Over the years, people have adored and loved me,” he remarked. If there is any mention of Karna in school history textbooks, my photo is utilized. I have also visited temples that were constructed in my honor. I have a statue that is eight feet tall, and people flock to worship it. People there always reach out to me with kindness whenever I go there. This demonstrates their acceptance of me as Karna.
He revealed in the same conversation that he had been given various roles in the numerous television remakes of Mahabharat over the years, but he had turned them all down. In addition, I was offered parts in other Mahabharat adaptations, but I turned them down. Karna is the only game I’ve played. It has nothing to do with money. Otherwise, I can earn money. I don’t want my fans to be confused, though. It won’t do their affection credit,” he remarked.
In addition to Mahabharat, Pankaj starred in movies including as Shah Rukh Khan’s Baadshah, Salman Khan’s Tumko Na Bhool Payenge, and Ajay Devgn’s Zameen, among many more. In addition, he had made appearances in television series like as Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat and Sasural Simar Ka.
Actor Nikitin Dheer, who acted in Akshay Kumar’s Sooryavanshi, Hrithik Roshan’s Jodhaa Akbar, and Shah Rukh Khan’s Chennai Express, was born to Pankaj. Ek Veer Stree Ki Kahaani, Kratika Sengar from Jhansi Ki Rani, is Nikitin’s spouse.
