Riteish Deshmukh on Pankaj Dheer: No one appeared more powerful than you on the battlefield
Mumbai, Oct 16
Actor Riteish Deshmukh has paid a heartfelt tribute to veteran actor Pankaj Dheer, best remembered for his iconic portrayal of Karna in the television epic Mahabharat.
Riteish took to Instagram stories, where he shared a picture of Pankaj Dheer as Karn from BR Chopra-produced epic television series “Mahabharatâ€.
Sharing his condolences on social media, Riteish wrote: “Dearest Pankaj Dheer sir, Your portrayal of Karna in Mahabharata is etched in the hearts of an entire generation. No one appeared more powerful or stronger than you on the battlefield-a testament to the brilliance of your performance.â€
Expressing his grief over the actor’s demise, Riteish added: “You left us too soon. Rest in peace, Sir. Our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones. Dear @nikitindheer, please stay strong. May God grant you the strength to navigate this difficult time.â€
Pankaj Dheer was also known for his roles in Chandrakanta, The Great Maratha, Yug and Badho Bahu. He appeared in several Hindi films in small roles, including Sadak, Soldier , Baadshah And Taarzan: The Wonder Car.
Pankaj Dheer passed away at the age of 68. While the exact reason for his demise is still unknown, the media reports claimed that the actor was suffering from cancer for a long time.
According to the reports, his cancer had relapsed a few months ago, and the actor was extremely unwell. He reportedly even went through major surgery as part of the treatment.
The actor's funeral was held at Pawan Hans Crematorium in the Vile Parle west area of Mumbai on Wednesday and was attended by Bollywood superstar Salman Khan.
After Mahabharat, Pankaj Dheer appeared as the lead in "Dastak" in 1993, co-starring Shagufta Ali and Sameer Kakkar. In addition to this, he further featured in the "Zee Horror Show", along with Archana Puran Singh.
Moreover, the actor played the lead as a defence lawyer in the TV Series "Kanoon". He was last seen in the show “Dhruv Tara – Samay Sadi Se Pareâ€. Pankaj Dheer is survived by his actor son Nikitin Dheer, who is known for his work in 'Chennai Express'.
— IANS
Reader Comments
So sad to hear this news. His portrayal of Karna was so powerful that even today, when I think of Mahabharat, his face comes to mind first. Cancer is such a terrible disease. My heartfelt condolences to Nikitin and the family.
As someone who grew up watching Indian television in the UK, Pankaj Dheer's Karna was legendary. His performance transcended borders and languages. Rest in peace to a true artist.
While I appreciate Riteish's tribute, I wish more current actors would acknowledge these legends while they're still with us. We tend to remember them only after they're gone. Still, nice gesture from Riteish.
His Karna in Mahabharat was pure gold! The dignity, the pain, the righteousness - he brought it all to life. That generation of actors had such dedication to their craft. Om Shanti 🕊ï¸
So many childhood memories! Watching Mahabharat with my grandparents, and Pankaj Dheer's Karna was everyone's favorite character. He made mythology come alive. Strength to Nikitin Dheer during this difficult time.
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