‘Mahabharat’, ‘Chandrakanta’ Actor Pankaj Dheer Passes Away at 68

Veteran television actor Pankaj Dheer, famed for his iconic roles as Karna in B R Chopra’s Mahabharat and King Shivdutt in the fantasy series Chandrakanta, passed away on Wednesday at the age of 68 after a battle with cancer.

“He passed away due to cancer this morning. He had been in and out of hospital in the past months,” producer and close friend Ashoke Pandit told PTI.

Pankaj Dheer is survived by his wife Anita Dheer and son Nikitin Dheer, who is also an actor in Bollywood. His last rites were performed at the Pawan Hans crematorium in Mumbai on Wednesday evening.

Several celebrities, including Salman Khan, Sidharth Malhotra, Arbaaz Khan, Puneet Issar, and Mika Singh, paid their respects at the crematorium, remembering Dheer’s contributions to Indian television and his lasting impact on fans across generations.

Dheer’s portrayal of Karna in Mahabharat remains one of the most memorable performances in Indian television history, earning him a permanent place in the hearts of audiences.