Pankaj Dheer
Pankaj Dheer (9 November 1956 – 15 October 2025) was an Indian actor known for his work in Hindi films and TV. He was born in Punjab and was married to Anita Dheer in 1979. They had a son, Nikitin Dheer, who is also an actor, and Nikitin is married to actress Kratika Sengar.
Dheer started his screen career with the 1981 film Poonam, which didn’t do well. His big break came when he played Karna in the TV series Mahabharat. He was initially cast as Arjuna but kept his moustache and was chosen as Karna. The role made him a household name, and his Karna became an iconic image in India.
He went on to act in many TV shows and films. On TV, he appeared in Chandrakanta (as King Shivdutt), Dastak (the debut episode of Zee Horror Show), Kanoon, Shobha Somnath Ki, Devon Ke Dev...Mahadev (as Maharaj Himavan), Mahabharat Aur Barbareek (reprising Karna), and several others. In films, he had roles in Sadak, Soldier, Baadshah, Tumko Na Bhool Paayenge, Pardesi, and Taarzan: The Wonder Car, among others. He also acted in Kannada films like Vishnu Vijaya.
Beyond acting, Dheer co-founded Visage Studioz in 2006 and started the Abbhinnay Acting Academy in 2010. He directed the film My Father Godfather in 2014. His later work included roles in Poison (2019), Ajooni (2022–23), and Dhruv Tara – Samay Sadi Se Pare (2024).
Pankaj Dheer died of cancer in Mumbai on 15 October 2025, at the age of 68. He was cremated at Pawan Hans Crematorium in Vile Parle West. His funeral was attended by friends and fellow actors, including Salman Khan, Sidharth Malhotra, and Firoz Khan.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 04:55 (CET).