Veteran actor Pankaj Dheer passed away on October 15, and yesterday, the actor's family hosted a prayer meet that was attended by several of his industry colleagues and close friends. Pankaj Dheer's demise came as a shock to everyone, and to pay tribute to him, his industry colleagues gathered at the ISKCON Temple in Juhu, where the prayer meet was held.
Several members of the film fraternity, including Abhishek Bachchan, Shilpa Shetty, Jackie Shroff, Sonu Sood, Zayed Khan, Suresh Oberoi, Rajat Bedi, and Ramesh Taurani, were clicked outside the ISKCON temple as they arrived to offer condolences to the grieving family. His son, Nikitin Dheer, along with his wife, Kratika Sengar, looked visibly devastated by the loss of his father.
Other actors who were clicked arriving at the venue included Ashoke Pandit, Baba Azmi, Jaaved Jaaferi, Esha Deol, Firoz Khan, Madhur Bhandarkar, Mukesh Khanna, Poonam Dhillon, Puneet Issar, Raj Kundra, Ranjeet, Rohit Shetty, Sharad Saxena, Tanvi Azmi, Upasana Singh, and Urvashi Dholakia.
Pankaj Dheer Demise
Veteran actor Pankaj Dheer, fondly remembered for his powerful portrayal of Karna in B.R. Chopra's iconic television series Mahabharat, passed away in Mumbai on Wednesday at the age of 68 after a prolonged battle with cancer.
An official statement from the Cine & TV Artistes' Association (CINTAA) read, "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, next to Pawan Hans, Vile Parle (W), Mumbai."
About Pankaj Dheer's Career
Pankaj Dheer rose to fame in the late 1980s for his unforgettable portrayal of Karna in B.R. Chopra's Mahabharat -- a performance that made him a household name across India. His dignified and emotional take on the tragic warrior earned him immense respect and remains one of the most memorable interpretations of the character on screen.
Dheer is survived by his wife, son Nikitin Dheer -- also an actor -- and daughter-in-law Kratika Sengar. His passing marks the end of an era for Indian television, leaving behind a legacy defined by iconic performances, timeless characters, and lifelong friendships.