The death of veteran actor Pankaj Dheer on October 15, 2025, at age 68 has deeply affected his Mahabharat family, with Roopa Ganguly (Draupadi) delivering one of the most emotional tributes to her late co-star who immortalized the character of Karna.
Roopa Ganguly’s Emotional Remembrance
“He Never Told Me He Was Ill”
In a tearful conversation with NDTV, Roopa Ganguly broke down while remembering Pankaj Dheer, revealing the shock of learning about his illness only after his death. “I talked to him over a text probably a year ago, but he never spoke to me about his illness. I didn’t know he was unwell,” she said with her voice cracking with emotion.
The actress expressed profound disbelief at his passing: “I can’t believe he’s gone. It feels like losing a part of our Mahabharat family. He was not just a co-actor but a part of a bond that time can’t erase.”
Tribute to His Character and Appearance
Roopa’s most touching tribute came when she called Pankaj “the most handsome man on the set after Nitish Bharadwaj” (Krishna). She revealed their playful relationship: “I used to send him texts calling him ‘my most handsome friend.’ He knew people called him handsome. But he was very well-mannered and soft-spoken.”
Contrasting Personalities on Set
Roopa painted a vivid picture of the Mahabharat set dynamics, describing how “Puneet Issar and Firoz Khan were a bit playful, but Pankaj was always reserved”. She emphasized his gentle nature: “You could never associate arrogance with him. He was always polite, respectful, and warm. That was Pankaj.”
Pankaj Dheer’s Battle with Cancer
Private Struggle
Producer Ashoke Pandit confirmed to PTI that Pankaj “passed away due to cancer this morning. He had been in and out of hospital in the past months”. The Cine and TV Artistes’ Association (CINTAA) officially announced his death on October 15, 2025.
Long-Term Health Issues
Actor Amit Behl, who knew Pankaj for over three decades, revealed to ANI that while Pankaj had been ailing about three years ago, he had recovered and returned to work. “I spoke to him about four months ago, and he was sounding fine. But this is shocking, really shocking for all of us.”
Final Farewell and Industry Tributes
Star-Studded Funeral
Pankaj’s last rites were conducted at the Pawan Hans crematorium in Vile Parle (West), Mumbai, on Wednesday evening. The funeral saw attendance from major Bollywood personalities including:
- Salman Khan and Arbaaz Khan
- Sidharth Malhotra
- Puneet Issar (Duryodhana from Mahabharat)
- Mika Singh
Family and Legacy
Pankaj is survived by his wife Anita Dheer and son Nikitin Dheer, who has followed in his father’s footsteps as an actor, appearing in films like Chennai Express, Jodhaa Akbar, and Sooryavanshi. Nikitin is married to actress Kratika Sengar.
Career Beyond Mahabharat
Film Career Highlights
After his breakthrough as Karna in BR Chopra’s Mahabharat (1988-1990), Pankaj appeared in numerous successful films :
Major Bollywood Films:
- Sadak, Sanam Bewafa, Aashik Awara
- Soldier (with Bobby Deol)
- Baadshah (with Shah Rukh Khan)
- Andaz (with Akshay Kumar)
- Zameen and Tarzan (with Ajay Devgn)
Television Legacy
Beyond Mahabharat, Pankaj remained active in television with shows like:
- Teen Bahuraaniyaan
- Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat
- Sasural Simar Ka
- Chandrakanta (as King Shivdutt)
The Cultural Impact of Karna
Defining a Generation’s Hero
Pankaj’s portrayal of Karna became legendary for embodying the noble warrior’s complexity – his calm dignity, tragic restraint, and moral righteousness despite adversity. Social media tributes reflect how deeply his performance resonated :
- “Whether it’s reel or real, his death felt personal. You will always be remembered as Karn”
- “For us, he was never just an actor; he was Karna. The dignity, pain, and courage he brought to that role will live forever”
- “He was born to play Karna”
Lasting Cultural Memory
Feroz Khan (Arjun from Mahabharat) shared an emotional video tribute on Instagram featuring moments with Pankaj, writing “Will miss you always, Pankaj”.
The Mahabharat Family Bond
Enduring Relationships
Roopa Ganguly’s emotional tribute highlights the lasting bonds formed during the Mahabharat production. Despite not meeting in years, the cast maintained connections through occasional messages, demonstrating the family-like relationship that developed during the show’s filming.
Shared Loss
Her words – “It feels like losing a part of our Mahabharat family” – capture how the show’s cast became more than just co-workers, forming lifetime connections that transcended their professional relationship.
Industry Recognition
Professional Achievements
MLA Dipayan Chakraborty’s tribute emphasized Pankaj’s versatility: “His remarkable performances in both Bollywood and Kannada cinema reflected his exceptional talent and versatility”.
Earlier Career Struggles
Pankaj began his journey with the 1981 film ‘Poonam’, which was unsuccessful, followed by several lesser-known films before finding his breakthrough role as Karna.
Pankaj Dheer’s death marks the end of an era for Indian television and cinema. His portrayal of Karna remains one of the most beloved and respected characters in Indian entertainment history. Roopa Ganguly’s heartfelt tribute, emphasizing his humility, handsomeness, and gentle nature, provides a touching window into the man behind the legendary character – a reminder that sometimes the most impactful performances come from actors who embody the very qualities they portray on screen.
The loss of this talented actor, who battled cancer privately while maintaining his dignity and warmth, reflects the same noble character that made his Karna so memorable and beloved by generations of viewers.
