Showing posts with label Pankaj Dheer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pankaj Dheer. Show all posts
Pankaj Dheer dies after prolonged cancer battle; industry pays tribute
9:33 AM
Avijit Ghosh (THE TIMES OF INDIA; October 16, 2025)
Actor Pankaj Dheer, whose impressive turn as the wronged prince Karna in the television epic, ‘Mahabharat’ (1988), embedded him in a generation’s memory, passed away in Mumbai on Wednesday. He was 68. Dheer was suffering from cancer. “He had been in and out of hospital in the past months,” producer and friend Ashoke Pandit told PTI.
In an interview to the video magazine, ‘Lehren Retro’, the actor once revealed that he had refused the part of Arjun in the BR Chopra production because he was asked to shave off his moustache. “It was foolishness,” he admitted. Six months later he was offered Karna which didn’t require him to shave off facial hair.
Dheer’s family roots went back to Kasur, a town south of Lahore, in pre-independence India. But the son of producer-director C L Dheer (‘Bahu Beti’, ‘Alingan’) had grown up in Bandra, Mumbai.
The TV show’s Sanskritised dialogues triggered performance anxiety. The actor sought tips from Rahi Masoom Raza, who had co-written the show. Among other things, Raza suggested that he should read aloud the Hindi daily, ‘Navbharat Times’, a sister publication of The Times of India, everyday.
With his imposing presence and empathetic voice, Dheer executed an unforgettable Karna drawing the audience's sympathy. The role gave him what every actor yearns for: fame, adulation and a steady career.
When the character died in the serial, many shaved off their hair in Bastar, then part of Madhya Pradesh. “At the behest of (then) chief minister Arjun Singh, I flew there and consoled the mourners, assuring them that I was alive. It was something you believe only when you see it,” he recalled in the interview.
Pankaj Dheer also said, “Many people do not know my name, but they recognize me as Karna. Even today, my face is published as Karna’s face in textbooks.”
The role opened doors in television and films leading to nearly 100 TV shows and films. One of his most remembered roles was of King Shivdutt in the mega fantasy, ‘Chandrakanta’ (1994). Two notable films were Bobby Deol’s ‘Soldier’ (1998) and Shah Rukh Khan’s ‘Baadshah’ (1999), where he played a scheming security chief.
Dheer’s passing was mourned on social media. Among those who attended the funeral were fellow actors from Mahabharat, and Salman Khan, with whom he had worked in films such as ‘Sanam Bewafa’ (1991).
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Tanvi Trivedi (BOMBAY TIMES; October 16, 2025)
Veteran actor Pankaj Dheer, best known for his iconic portrayal of Karna in BR Chopra’s Mahabharat, passed away yesterday after a prolonged battle with cancer. He was 68. Dheer was seen in films like Sadak, Soldier, and Badshah, as well as several TV shows, including Chandrakanta, The Great Maratha, Yug, and Badho Bahu. He is survived by his wife, Anita Dheer, and son, Nikitin Dheer, who is also an actor.
His Mahabharat co-actor and close friend Gajendra Chauhan, who played Yudhisthir in the show, said, “I am deeply saddened and will miss him a lot. Pankaj was not the serious guy he looked like on screen. He was very jovial, always smiling and a wonderful host. We used to meet every fortnight at someone’s home, and Pankaj would keep everyone laughing. Shooting with him was smooth and joyful because he was light-hearted and pleasant.”
Arjun Feroz Khan, who played Arjun in Mahabharat, posted a picture on Instagram and wrote, “Gentleman! Bids goodbye. Will miss you, PD. Stay blessed (sic).”
Puneet Issar, who played Duryodhan, said, "Karna and Duryodhan were brothers, and I could play that part with him so naturally because I had known him even before we did Mahabharat. I am heartbroken, and I will always miss him."
The Indian Film & Television Directors’ Association President Ashoke Pandit penned on social media, “Shocked to know about the sad demise of our dear friend and a brilliant actor, Pankaj Dheer. A great human being. Huge loss to the industry.Heartfelt condolences to the family (sic).”
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Akash Bhatnagar (HINDUSTAN TIMES; October 16, 2025)
Veteran actor Pankaj Dheer died on October 15 after a prolonged battle with cancer at the age of 68. His cremation was held yesterday in Mumbai. A statement from CINTAA (Cine & TV Artistes’ Association) confirmed the news, expressing “profound grief and deep sorrow” at the passing of their former chairman and general secretary.
His performance as Karna in BR Chopra’s Mahabharat made him a household name, and he appeared in shows Chandrakanta, Yug, The Great Maratha, and Badho Bahu. He also starred in films like Sadak (1991), Soldier (1998), and Baadshah (1999).
Pankaj is survived by his wife Anita Dheer, son Nikitin Dheer, and daughter-in-law Kratika Sengar.
It’s very shocking news and quite sad. I got the honour of working with him in my first film Taarzan: The Wonder Car (2004). He was fantastic and he always made sure that we were all comfortable.
- Vatsal Sheth
It was a privilege to work with him in Rishton Ka Saudagar – Baazigar. He used to get sandwiches from home just for me. Anyone who worked with him knows what an amazing person he was.
- Ishita Dutta Sheth
Pankaj ji was the first senior actor I ever worked with in Rang Badalti Odhani. He treated me like a son with so much kindness. He’ll always be remembered with immense love and respect.
- Karan Tacker
He was one of the finest gentlemen I ever worked with (in Mahabharat). He also crossed the epitome of every humanity angle. He’ll be missed.
- Arjun Feroz Khan
Gufi Paintal aka Shakuni Mama passes away
8:06 AM
Bella Jaisinghani (THE TIMES OF INDIA; June 6, 2023)
Mumbai: Senior actor Sarabjeet ‘Gufi’ Paintal, 79, died of age-related ailments at an Andheri hospital Monday. His masterful portrayal as the evil, lame Shakuni Mama in B R Chopra’s epic serial ‘Mahabharat’ cast the die for his eternal fame.
A native of Tarn Taran, Punjab, he was born October 4, 1944. Gufi was the older brother of comedian (Kanwarjit) Paintal and followed him into cinema after having served in the Army. Aside from acting, Gufi worked as casting director and was also an occasional writer and director.
Nephew Hiten informed PTI, “He passed away peacefully in his sleep in hospital around 9am. His heart gave up.” The actor was admitted a week ago for cardiac trouble and blood pressure.
Gufi Paintal featured in Basu Chatterji’s ‘Dillagi’ (1978), where he played the photographer brother of actress Kajri. Other noteworthy films are ‘Rafoo Chakkar’, ‘Des Pardes’ and ‘Suhaag’ and TV serials ‘Shaktimaan’, ‘CID’ and ‘Hello Inspector’. His name appears as assistant director in a few movies as well.
However, it was his notoriety as Shakuni Mama that earned him the permanent nickname ‘Mama Shree’. Friends and fans addressed him in this manner as they mourned his death on social media. Gufi lived in Lokhandwala Complex, Andheri, near his brother Paintal. His last rites were performed at Oshiwara crematorium at 4. 30pm.
Gufi leaves behind wife Rekha and son Harry, who lit the funeral pyre. The Kaurava tribe from the ‘Mahabharat’, including Surendra Pal (Dronacharya) and Pankaj Dheer (Karna) attended. Mukesh Khanna, who enacted Bheeshma, said it was Gufi who cast him in the coveted part.
Pankaj Dheer said, “Till date, people try to copy him but they are not able to reach his style of performance.” The threesome, including Puneet Issar, spent a lot of time together on set as the villainous trio of Shakuni, Karna and Duryodhana.
Cine & TV Artistes’ Association (CINTAA) offered tribute on social media. Actors Gulshan Devaiah and Nimrat Kaur also expressed sorrow.
It’s a girl for Nikitin Dheer and Kratika Sengar Dheer
7:39 AM
Kavita Awaasthi (HINDUSTAN TIMES; May 13, 2022)
Actor couple Nikitin Dheer and Kratika Sengar Dheer delivered a baby girl on Thursday morning.
When contacted, an ecstatic grandfather actor Pankaj Dheer says, “It is a beautiful moment in our lives and hum bhagyshaali hain jo yahan tak pahuche. Wish for the baby and the mother to stay healthy.”
Talking about his son and daughter-in-law, he shares, “Nikitin is excited and thrilled that he has become a father. Kratika is doing well too. We are all very happy with this new addition in our lives and family.”
In November last year, the couple announced their pregnancy. Earlier they posted pictures on their Instagram sharing glimpses from their maternity shoot. “Happiness is on the way,” they wrote while sharing the photographs.
Just a few days before delivering the baby, Kratika shared how she was a little scared about her career post pregnancy. “The room is ready, bags packed, parents have flown down to Mumbai, we are all ready to welcome the new member in the family,” she told India today in an interview.
Calling her pregnancy “unexpected” Kratika further added, “It was in September, when we were vacationing in the Maldives, diving into the sea, when the news of my pregnancy broke. It was not about planned or unplanned, we just decided to go with the flow.”
Shyam Ramsay of Ramsay Brothers, who pioneered the genre in ’70s Bollywood, passes away
7:54 AM
MUMBAI MIRROR (September 19, 2019)
Shyam Ramsay who, along with his brothers Tulsi, Kumar, Kiran, Gangu, Arjun and Keshu (collectively known as the Ramsay Brothers), pioneered the horror genre in Hindi cinema, succumbed to pneumonia on Wednesday morning. A few days ago, the 67-year-old filmmaker had been admitted to a suburban hospital.
The filmmakers made their debut with the 1971 film Nakuli Shaan, which tanked at the box-office. According to industry lore, the Ramsays were surprised to see the audience flocked to the theatres to watch a film for a scene in which Prithviraj Kapoor’s character enters a museum in a mask and a scary outfit, and left immediately afterwards. Realising that the average movie-goer was enjoying being spooked, the Brothers followed up their debut with Do Gaz Zameen Ke Neeche in 1972.
Shyam and Tulsi led the family banner, jointly directing horror films, while the other departments were delegated to the rest of the siblings. Kumar wrote the scripts, Kiran handled sound, Gangu manned the camera, Keshu assisted on cinematography and assumed production responsibilities, while Arjun oversaw postproduction and editing.
Banking on a potent mix of horror and erotica, the Ramsay Brothers became synonymous with the genre with films comprising corpses, zombies, among other tropes, delivering films like Darwaza, Guest House, Dahshat, Purana Mandir, Tahkhana and among several others, including Saamri in 3D. With the advent of private satellite channels, they also ventured into horror TV shows.
Tulsi, Shyam’s elder brother and codirector, had passed away on December 14, 2018
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MID-DAY (September 19, 2019)
Shyam Ramsay (1952- 2019)
Shyam Ramsay, one of the seven Ramsay Brothers known for cult horror films such as Purani Haveli (1989) and Tahkhana (1986), succumbed to pneumonia at a hospital yesterday, his family said. “He was hospitalised two to three days ago as he was not feeling well. He passed away at around 5 am today,” a relative said.
Veteran actors Raza Murad, Puneet Issar and Pankaj Dheer were among those who paid tribute to the filmmaker, remembering him as a “humble” and “polite” man. Murad, who worked with the Ramsay Brothers in the 2006 film, Family: Ties Of Blood, said that despite infusing horror in the hearts of the audience, the entire kin was soft- spoken. “Shyam was respectful, the entire family was. The kind of films they made were amazing. The brothers were sweet; we would joke that we’d get diabetes if we talked to them for five minutes. They were the joint family filmmakers in every department of filmmaking, and were extremely committed,” the actor said.
Murad recounted how Shyam convinced him for Family after he had initially rejected the role. “It sounded like I was just among the men from the underworld. I thought I would be one of the actors who may not get importance, so I turned down the role. Shyam called and narrated the role in detail. He said, I’m sorry I couldn’t narrate it to you. You have an important role and we would never waste you’,” he added.
Issar, who starred in their cult classic Purana Mandir (1984), remembered Ramsay as a “capable technician”. “Shyam ji knew the craft very well. He was a man of few words. He and Tulsi [brother] used to direct together. They had great clarity. It’s such a big loss,” he said.
Director Vikram Bhatt said, “Shyam Ramsay carried the torch of horror films right through the ’70s and ’80s. Even amongst the Ramsay Brothers, he was considered the leader. He was innovative and regaled his audiences with fabulous spooky cinema from time to time. His passing is indeed sad, and his contribution to the dark films will always be held in high esteem,” said Bhatt.
The Ramsay brothers also consisted of Tulsi, Kumar, Keshu, Arjun, Gangu and Karan. Shyam is survived by daughters Sasha and Namrata.
Nikitin ‘Tangaballi’ Dheer to marry Jhansi ki Rani actress Kratika Sengar
7:50 AM
Neha Maheswri Bhagat (BOMBAY TIMES; March 20, 2014)
Nikitin
Dheer, aka Tangaballi of Chennai Express, will tie the knot with
television actress Kratika Sengar, best known for playing Jhansi ki Rani
on television, on September 3. And guess who played Cupid? The groom’s
father, actor Pankaj Dheer.Says Nikitin, “I am not in the frame of mind to go out looking for a girl. I trust my father’s choice and my intuition. Kratika is homely, yet independent. We must have met 10-12 times before the decision was made.”
The couple first met in January this year, when Kratika auditioned for a short film directed by Pankaj. The senior actor developed a special fondness for her and told her that he would want her to become his daughter-in-law.
Kratika says she realised she was in love when Nikitin recently went abroad and she couldn’t reach him over the phone. “I was worried and that’s when I realised that I was in love with him,” says she.
“It’s because of his family that we came together. My father is happy to see the bond I share with my would-be father-in-law,” adds the actress.
Standing tall at 6’4”, Nikitin can make it difficult for any girl to match his height. Says Kratika, “I am 5’5” and have never worn heels. My male friends are not that tall and I used to tease them saying I cannot wear heels when I’m with them. Now, destiny has brought me together with somebody who is very tall. But Nikitin knows I have a back problem and insists that I continue wearing flats.”
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