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Pankaj Dheer
Pankaj Dheer played the character of Karna in BR Chopra's 'Mahabharat'. Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Pankaj Dheer, who played Karna in BR Chopra's 'Mahabharat', dies after battling cancer at 68

| @indiablooms | Oct 15, 2025, at 03:37 pm

TV star Pankaj Dheer, who is best remembered for playing the mythological Indian character of Karna in BR Chopra's 'Mahabharat', died after battling cancer.

He was 68.

The CINTAA (Cine & TV Artistes’ Association) condoled the death of the actor and said in a statement: "#CINTAA & #CAWT mourn the loss of Shri Pankaj Dheer, former General Secretary of #CINTAA and former Chairman of #CAWT — a respected member of our fraternity whose invaluable contributions to Indian cinema and television will always be remembered."

His funeral will be held at 4:30 PM at Pawanhans Crematorium, Vile Parle (W).

Apart from Mahabharat, he is well-known for his appearance in  Chandrakanta, The Great Maratha, Yug and Badho Bahu.

He appeared in several Hindi films in small roles, including Sadak, Soldier and Baadshah.

He appeared at the lead in debut episode Dastak, TV series, Zee Horror Show (1993), along with Archana Puran Singh.

He also played the lead as a defence lawyer in the TV Series Kanoon, a series based on court-room dramas.

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