Key Points:
- Pankaj Dheer, best known as Karna in BR Chopra’s ‘Mahabharat,’ died on October 15, 2025, at age 68 after a prolonged fight with cancer.
- Industry veterans and fans mourn his passing; the iconic Karna role still revered nationwide.
- His funeral was scheduled for October 15 at 4:30 pm in Mumbai, as confirmed by CINTAA.
- Dheer enjoyed a decades-spanning career in television and films, always remembered as the selfless Karna.
- His son, Bollywood actor Nikitin Dheer, survives him, continuing the family’s acting legacy.
Mumbai: Veteran actor Pankaj Dheer, most beloved for his unforgettable role as Karna in BR Chopra’s classic TV adaptation of “Mahabharat,” passed away on the morning of October 15, 2025. After waging a prolonged battle with cancer and undergoing major surgery in recent months, the 68-year-old actor died in Mumbai, leaving behind a legacy cherished by generations of viewers.
The Cine & TV Artistes’ Association (CINTAA) confirmed his demise in an official statement, saying, “With profound grief and deep sorrow, we inform you of the passing of our Trust’s erstwhile Chairman and CINTAA’s former Hon. General Secretary, Shri Pankaj Dheer ji, on 15th October 2025. The cremation will be held today at 4:30 pm at Pawan Hans, Vile Parle (W), Mumbai.” Colleagues, including his “Mahabharat” co-star Feroz Khan (Arjun), and industry friends expressed deep sorrow and remembered Dheer as both a remarkable performer and a gentle soul.
Iconic Karna: A Character Revered Nationwide
Pankaj Dheer’s portrayal of Karna in “Mahabharat” (first broadcast in 1988) became so iconic that audiences across India saw him as a living embodiment of the generous, heroic, and tragic warrior prince. His powerful dialogue delivery, dignified screen presence, and emotional depth turned his performance into one of Indian television history’s most iconic roles. In some parts of the country, fans mourned Karna’s death in the series with rituals, statues, and even places of worship dedicated to the actor’s depiction.
Career Beyond Mahabharat
After the monumental success of “Mahabharat,” Dheer continued to contribute to Indian entertainment through a range of roles in television and cinema. He played the villainous Shivdutt in “Chandrakanta” and had memorable parts in shows such as “Kanoon,” “Zee Horror Show,” “Badho Bahu,” and “Dhruv Tara – Samay Sadi Se Pare” (2024). His filmography includes supporting roles in movies like “Soldier,” “Andaz,” “Baadshah,” and “Tumko Na Bhool Paayenge.” Yet, for millions, he remained forever remembered as Karna.
Family, Legacy, and Tributes
Pankaj Dheer is survived by his wife, Anita Dheer, and son, Nikitin Dheer, who himself is a film and web series actor, known for major films such as “Chennai Express,” “Jodhaa Akbar,” and “Sooryavanshi.” Nikitin has regularly credited his father’s discipline, warmth, and dedication as a guiding force throughout his career.
Tributes have poured in on social media and from across the TV and film fraternities, with fans calling his passing “the end of an era.” Decades after his portrayal, Dheer’s legacy will endure wherever tales of the Mahabharata are retold and remembered.
