Pankaj Dheer’s Surprising Role Change in Mahabharat: The Story Behind It
Remembering Pankaj Dheer
A Legendary Role
Pankaj Dheer gained recognition for his memorable portrayal of Karna in the famous TV series Mahabharat. Tragically, he recently passed away after battling cancer. Interestingly, he was originally cast to play Arjun before stepping into the role of Karna.
The Casting Story
In a revealing interview from 2023, Pankaj shared how he ended up playing Karna. He mentioned, "Everyone thought I would be perfect as Arjun, so they offered me the role. I signed the contract and spent a few months preparing. However, the director later told me that I needed to cut my moustache to portray Brihannala, and I simply couldn’t do that."
Destiny at Play
He elaborated further, stating, “I believed my face wouldn’t look good without a moustache. Despite the disappointment he felt, Chopra saab allowed me to leave. But destiny had other plans. Six months later, he called again and offered me the role of Karna. I just wanted to confirm—no moustache removal required? I was thrilled!”
Legacy and Impact
Pankaj Dheer’s iconic performance as Karna made waves in the industry. Following Mahabharat, he appeared in many other popular films, including Sadak, Sanam Bewafa, and Aashik Awara. He leaves behind a legacy and is survived by his wife Anita Dheer and son Nikitin Dheer, who is also an actor.
In light of Pankaj Dheer’s journey and contributions to television, what memories or moments of his performances resonate with you?
