Actor Pankaj Dheer, best known for his iconic portrayal of Karna in the epic series Mahabharata, passed away at the age of 68 after a long battle with cancer. The news of his demise was confirmed by CINTAA (Cine & TV Artistes Association).

Final Goodbye at Pawan Hans Ghat

In an official statement, CINTAA expressed deep sorrow:

“With profound grief and sorrow, we inform you that Pankaj Dheer, former President of our Trust and former Honorary General Secretary of CINTAA, passed away on October 15, 2025.”

His funeral was held on the same day at 4:30 pm at Pawan Hans, Vile Parle (West), Mumbai, where several close friends and film industry members gathered to pay their last respects.

Salman Khan Offers Support to Nikitin Dheer

Among the first to arrive was Bollywood superstar Salman Khan, who came under tight security to console the grieving family. Salman shared a close bond with Pankaj’s son, actor Nikitin Dheer, and was seen embracing him emotionally at the funeral.

Salman and Pankaj had earlier worked together in Tumko Na Bhool Paayenge, while Salman and Nikitin have shared the screen in several films, including Ready, Dabangg 2, and Antim: The Final Truth.

Bollywood Mourns the Loss

Actors Sidharth Malhotra, Deep Dhillon (Jayadratha), Surendra Pal (Dronacharya), Firoz Khan (Arjun), and Shahbaz Khan (Prince Virendra Vikram Singh in Chandrakanta) were also present to bid farewell to their beloved co-star.

A Legacy Beyond Mahabharata

Pankaj Dheer’s illustrious career spanned decades across television and films. Apart from Mahabharata, he was known for memorable performances in Chandrakanta, The Great Maratha, Kanoon, and Sasural Simar Ka. His filmography includes hits like Saugandh, Sadak, Baadshah, Soldier, and Tarzan: The Wonder Car.

He is survived by his wife Anita Dheer (a renowned costume designer), his son Nikitin Dheer, daughter-in-law Kratika Sengar, and their 3-year-old daughter Devika. The entertainment world mourns the loss of a legendary performer whose contribution to Indian television and cinema will be remembered forever.