Veteran Actor Pankaj Dheer, Iconic Karn of B.R. Chopra’s Mahabharat, Dies at 68
When Pankaj Dheer, the actor best remembered for his iconic portrayal of Karn in B.R. Chopra’s Mahabharat, died on 15 October 2025 at age 68 after a long battle with cancer, the Indian entertainment world paused. The veteran star, who had once been slated to play the heroic Arjun but was dismissed from director B.R. Chopra’s Doordarshan-produced set over a stubborn moustache, left behind a legacy that still colours how the mythic warrior is visualised.
- Death: 15 Oct 2025, age 68, after battling cancer.
- Signature role: Karn in the 1988‑1990 TV epic Mahabharat.
- Original casting: Offered Arjun, rejected over facial‑hair requirement.
- On‑set accident: Arrowhead grazed his left eye in 1989.
- Mahabharat’s reach: Over 400 million viewers worldwide during its original run.
From Audition to Icon: How Dheer Became Karn
The casting saga began in early 1988 when B.R. Chopra was assembling a roster of actors to embody the Pandava‑Kaurava saga for Doordarshan. Dheer, then a 31‑year‑old theatre‑trained performer, impressed the director with a fierce Arjun‑type swagger. “You have the stature, the voice… but I need you clean‑shaven,” Chopra allegedly told him, demanding he shave off his trademark moustache.
Dheer’s reply was resolute: “My face loses its balance without the moustache; the look would change completely.” The standoff escalated, and Chopra, irritated, reportedly shouted, “Are you even an actor? You quit a big role over a moustache?” and sent Dheer out of his office.
Instead of Arjun, Dheer was cast as the tragic hero Karn – a decision that turned out to be serendipitous. His towering frame, deep baritone and the lingering moustache gave Karn a regal, almost doomed aura that viewers still associate with the character.
The On‑Set Accident That Almost Cost Him His Sight
During the climactic battle sequence between Karn and Arjun (filmed in November 1989 near Mumbai’s Film City), a technical glitch sent the prop arrow careening off‑target. The arrow’s tip lodged near Dheer’s left eye, tearing a thin strip of skin. “I heard a thud, felt a hot burst of blood, and the crew started shouting ‘Pankaj is blind!’" he later recounted in a 2022 interview.
Doctors stitched the wound, and Dheer returned to work within two weeks, finishing the series while partially sighted. The incident added an eerie layer of authenticity to his portrayal – Karn, a warrior cursed with an unknown parentage, battling fate itself.
Behind the Scenes: Mukesh Khanna’s Revelations
Veteran actor Mukesh Khanna, who played Bhishma in the same series, opened up about Dheer’s preparation. “He never read the original Mahabharata,” Khanna said. “He studied ‘Mritunjay’, a novel written from Karn’s perspective. That’s why some of his dialogues felt different – he was living inside Karn’s mind, not the larger epic.”
Khanna added that Dheer would often rehearse his lines under a single spotlight, insisting the light hit his face just right to capture Karn’s inner turmoil. “He was a perfectionist. Even after the arrow‑injury, he never compromised on the intensity of the gaze,” the veteran recalled.
Mahabharat’s Cultural Impact and Why Dheer’s Karn Still Resonates
The series aired from 1988 to 1990, spanning 94 episodes and attracting an estimated 400 million viewers across India and the diaspora. It became the first Indian television programme to be syndicated in over 25 countries, earning a place in the Guinness World Records for the most‑watched TV show of its time.
Television historian Dr. Anjali Verma of the Indian Institute of Media Studies notes, “Karn’s tragedy, as performed by Dheer, gave the audience a hero who chose honor over blood‑lines. In a country where caste and lineage are hot‑button issues, his portrayal sparked conversations about merit versus birthright.”
Even after the series ended, Karn’s face – framed by Dheer’s moustache and brooding eyes – appeared on book covers, educational posters, and countless memes on social media. The actor’s performance turned a mythic warrior into a cultural icon for a generation that grew up without cable television.
What His Passing Means for Indian Television Veterans
Dheer’s death follows a spate of losses among the Mahabharat cast: veteran director B.R. Chopra passed away in 2008, while co‑stars like Nitish Bharadwaj (who portrayed Lord Krishna) recently announced his retirement from acting.
Industry analyst Rakesh Mehta says, “These veterans defined Indian television’s golden era. Their departures remind us that the medium is evolving – streaming platforms are now the dominant storytellers. Yet the emotional imprint they left cannot be erased.”
Fans gathered at Mumbai’s Shivaji Park on 16 October 2025, lighting candles and chanting verses from the Bhagavad Gita. A mural of Karn, painted in bold reds and golds, was unveiled near the location, symbolising Dheer’s enduring legacy.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Pankaj Dheer’s moustache dispute affect his career?
The moustache episode cost him the role of Arjun, a part that could have positioned him as a heroic lead. However, being recast as Karn turned into a career‑defining moment; the character’s popularity gave Dheer lasting fame that eclipsed what a conventional hero role might have offered.
What safety measures were changed on Indian TV sets after Dheer’s arrow accident?
Producers introduced stricter prop‑handling protocols in the early 1990s, mandating double‑checks for weapon trajectories and requiring protective eyewear for actors during battle scenes. The incident is often cited in industry training modules as a cautionary tale.
Why did Mukesh Khanna say Dheer hadn’t read the original Mahabharata?
Khanna explained that Dheer preferred the novel ‘Mritunjay’, which explores Karn’s inner thoughts. This unique source shaped Dheer’s dialogue delivery, giving Karn a distinct voice that differed from the script’s traditional framing, and resonated strongly with audiences.
What does Dheer’s death mean for the legacy of 1980s Indian television?
His passing marks the end of an era where single‑camera, state‑funded epics dominated the airwaves. While streaming services now produce high‑budget mythological series, the emotional depth and nationwide reach of shows like Mahabharat remain a benchmark for storytelling.
Where was Mahabharat originally filmed?
The bulk of the series was shot at Film City in Mumbai, with additional outdoor sequences filmed in Rajasthan’s desert locales and the historic forts of Madhya Pradesh, providing the epic’s grand visual palette.
