Mumbai : Actor Pankaj Dheer, best known for his portrayal of Karn in BR Chopra’s popular television epic ‘Mahabharat,’ passed away at the age of 68. Indeed, Pankaj Dheer passes away leaving a remarkable legacy.
Moreover, his co-star Arjun Feroz Khan, who played Arjuna on the show, posted on Instagram Stories, “Gentleman!!! Bids goodbye (teary-eyed emoji) will miss you PD (broken heart emoji) Stay blessed (Sparkle emojis).” Khan also shared a throwback picture posing with Dheer.
While the exact cause of his death remains unknown, media reports state that the actor battled cancer for a long time. Consequently, fans and colleagues rushed to pay their final respects as Pankaj Dheer passes away.
Furthermore, reports indicate that his cancer had relapsed a few months ago, leaving him extremely unwell. He also underwent major surgery as part of his treatment.
The actor’s funeral will, therefore, take place at 4:30 pm at Pawan Hans Crematorium in Vile Parle West, Mumbai, on Wednesday.
In addition, CINTAA (Cine & TV Artistes’ Association) shared a note on its official Instagram account announcing his demise: “CINTAA and CAWT mourn the loss of Shri Pankaj Dheer ji, former General Secretary of CINTAA and former Chairman of CAWT — a respected member of our fraternity whose invaluable contributions to Indian cinema and television will always be remembered. Funeral today at 4:30 PM at Pawan Hans Crematorium, Vile Parle (W). Om Shanti.”
Pankaj Dheer rose to fame with his role as Karn in B.R. Chopra’s 1988 epic TV series ‘Mahabharat.’ Later, he played the lead in “Dastak” (1993) alongside Shagufta Ali and Sameer Kakkar.
He also featured in “Zee Horror Show” with Archana Puran Singh and, additionally, played a defence lawyer in the TV series “Kanoon.”
Beyond acting, he co-founded the Abbhinnay Acting Academy in Mumbai in 2010, with actor Gufi Paintal serving as the faculty head.
Finally, Pankaj Dheer is survived by his son Nikitin Dheer, who gained fame for his role in ‘Chennai Express.’
–IANS
