Pankaj Dheer, Mahabharata’s Karn, Passes Away After Brave Fight with Cancer

Pankaj Dheer’s Legacy in Mahabharat

Pankaj Dheer famously portrayed Kunti’s son, Karn, in the iconic series that aired on Doordarshan starting in 1988. He reminisced about the shooting conditions in a 2016 interview. “We had no vanity vans or make-up rooms. We lived in tents with just one toilet for 40 people, and our costumes were heavy and quite uncomfortable,” he said.

He also recalled a harrowing moment when his chariot broke down during a scene. “The horses went wild, and I had to leap off the chariot to save myself,” he shared. Dheer suffered injuries during shoots, including a near-miss with an arrow during a fight scene that required surgery.

The legacy of Pankaj Dheer lives on through his contributions to television, and he is survived by his son, actor Nikitin Dheer. His impactful performances will be remembered by many.