Late Pankaj Dheer's son Nikitin Dheer CONSOLES grieving mother at funeral, Video surfaces

The Indian television and film fraternity is mourning the loss of one of its most respected figures. Veteran actor Pankaj Dheer, known for his powerful performance as Karna in the legendary television series Mahabharat, passed away at the age of 68 in Mumbai after a prolonged battle with cancer.

Nikitin Dheer breaks down:

According to sources close to the family, Pankaj had been unwell for several months following a relapse of cancer. He had previously undergone treatment and surgery related to his illness. Despite showing signs of recovery, his condition reportedly worsened in recent weeks. His death came as a shock to many in the industry, especially those who had spoken to him in recent months and believed he was regaining his strength.

His cremation is scheduled to take place today at Pawan Hans crematorium in Vile Parle West, Mumbai. Visuals from the funeral proceedings have begun surfacing online, capturing deeply emotional moments from the ceremony. One of the most heart-wrenching scenes shows his son, actor Nikitin Dheer, consoling his mother Anita Dheer outside their residence. In a widely shared video, Nikitin is seen gently embracing and comforting her, visibly grief-stricken yet trying to stay composed for the sake of his family.

Pankaj Dheer’s death has left a void that will be hard to fill. Over the course of his career, he appeared in numerous films and television serials, but it was his portrayal of Karna in B R Chopra’s Mahabharat that etched his name permanently in the hearts of Indian audiences. His dignified presence and commanding screen persona earned him not just fame, but immense respect across generations of viewers.

Actor Amit Bhargav, reflecting on the loss, told ANI, 'He was ailing about three years ago, but he had recovered. He was back 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. He was ailing, but he had recovered, lost weight, and was working, you know, in a serial or something else. I spoke to him about three or four months ago, and he was sounding fine. So it's quite a shock to me. It's really sad.'

As tributes pour in from across the entertainment world, Pankaj Dheer will be remembered not only for his powerful performances but also for his grace, humility and unwavering dedication to his craft.