The acting universe has lost one of its most adored faces. Pankaj Dheer, who through his mighty portrayal of Karna in the epic Indian TV saga Mahabharat made countless viewers shed tears, breathed his last on October 15, 2025, at the age of 68. The actor who had been a fighter against cancer for long finally gave in to his illness on Wednesday morning.
The Sad News Breaks
The Cine and TV Artistes’ Association disclosed the tragic news in the morning. They referred to him as their past General Secretary and stated that the last rites would take place at 4:30 PM close to Pawan Hans in Vile Parle West, Mumbai.
Actor Amit Behl, who had known Pankaj for around 30 years, said he was really surprised. He remembered Pankaj talking about four months ago and claimed that he sounded completely all right.
A Role That Made Him Immortal
For the most part, people associate Pankaj Dheer with Karna from BR Chopra’s Mahabharat, which was released in 1988. That character made him a widely recognized name in every corner of the country.
He performed the role in such a natural and authentic manner that the discussions of it are still on today. The mix of pain, power, and the intricate feelings of Karna that he portrayed went deep into the hearts of the spectators everywhere.
His Career Highlights
Pankaj did way more than just Mahabharat though. Here’s what made him stand out:
- He acted in popular films like Soldier, Baadshah, Sadak, and Tumko Na Bhool Paayenge
- He appeared in TV shows like Chandrakanta, Badho Bahu, and Sasural Simar Ka
- He started his own acting school called Abbhinnay to teach new actors
- He ran a production company named Visage Studioz
The man knew his craft inside out and spent years giving memorable performances on both TV and film.
The Battle He Fought
Pankaj’s battle against cancer was a tough one. Amit Behl revealed that Pankaj fell ill around three years back but was still able to heal. He went down in weight, returned to his job, and even performed in a TV series. Hema Malini, a veteran actress and his close friend, remarked he fought back with great determination. She described him as a very lively person who never surrendered.
However, the cancer came back a few months ago, and it was worse this time. He underwent a huge surgery. Unfortunately, his body could not take the fight anymore.
How His Friends Remember Him
The very moment people got the news, tributes from everywhere started to flow in. Hema Malini posted a long note saying that she lost a dear friend. She mentioned the supportive nature of Pankaj and that he always stood by her whenever she needed help. She was very upset for his wife Anita, who she referred to as the light of Pankaj’s life.
Actor Arjun Firoz Khan, who was Mahabharat’s Arjun opposite Pankaj, took to social and called him a true gentleman. A lot of other people from the TV and film industry also expressed that they would miss him a lot.
His Family Left Behind
Pankaj is survived by his spouse Anita Dheer, who is a costume designer by profession. His son Nikitin Dheer is also an actor and has worked in prominent films such as Chennai Express, Jodhaa Akbar, and Sooryavanshi.
Nikitin’s wife is actress Kratika Sengar, who is famous for her role as Jhansi Ki Rani. The entire family was present during his last moments together.
What Made Him Special
Pankaj was more than an ordinary actor. He was a top draw from Punjab and the offspring of the legendary CL Dheer. Acting was in his genes. But the quality that really impressed was his gentleness towards people. The audience labelled him a fine gentlemen both in the reel and real life.
He was instrumental in the new talent’s facing the camera through his acting school. He was a major contributor to society through his association with CINTAA.
To the fans who adored him the most, Khelofun was a spot where they could express their feelings about his remarkable performances and keep his spirit alive. His artistry linked the various viewer generations.
A person might have seen him in the 1980s or found him years later; still, his performance would not have been out of their mind.
His Last Appearances
Just recently, Pankaj appeared on Farah Khan’s vlog for a reunion with old friends. Nobody watching that would have thought it would be one of his last public appearances. It shows how he kept going and stayed connected to people right till the end.
On Khelofun, fans could share clips from his shows and remember the man who gave them so many powerful moments on screen. His funeral saw many big names from the film world, including Salman Khan and Sidharth Malhotra, who came to pay their last respects.
The End of an Era
At 68, Pankaj Dheer left us too soon. The entertainment world lost someone who knew how to tell stories that mattered. His portrayal of Karna will stay in people’s minds for years to come. Every time someone talks about Mahabharat or the greatest TV performances ever, his name will come up.
Rest easy, Pankaj Dheer. You gave us memories that will never fade.
