Home / Arts and Entertainment / Veteran Actor Pankaj Dheer, Iconic Karna, Passes Away at 68
Veteran Actor Pankaj Dheer, Iconic Karna, Passes Away at 68
15 Oct
Summary
- Pankaj Dheer, known for playing Karna in Mahabharat, has passed away
- Dheer was 68 and had been battling cancer
- Tributes pour in from his Mahabharat co-stars
On October 14, 2025, the entertainment industry mourned the loss of veteran actor Pankaj Dheer, who passed away at the age of 68 after a prolonged battle with cancer. Dheer was best known for his iconic portrayal of the character Karna in the iconic TV series Mahabharat, which aired in the 1990s.
Dheer's Mahabharat co-stars have expressed their deep sadness and fond memories of working with him. Gajendra Chauhan, who played the role of Yudhisthir in the show, described Dheer as a "jovial" and "light-hearted" person, always smiling and keeping the cast entertained during shoots. Puneet Issar, who played the role of Duryodhan, said he and Dheer had a natural on-screen chemistry as their characters were brothers.
Dheer's acting career spanned several decades, and he was seen in films like Sadak, Soldier, and Badshah, as well as numerous TV shows, including Chandrakanta, The Great Maratha, Yug, and Badho Bahu. He is survived by his wife, Anita Dheer, and son, Nikitin Dheer, who is also an actor.
