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Pankaj Dheer Biography: Age, Career, Family and More

F4U Editorial Desk • Updated September 13, 2026 • 6 min read

Quick Info

Date of birth9 November 1956

Age68 Years (at time of death)

BirthplaceMumbai, Maharashtra, India

ProfessionActor, Film Director

NationalityIndian

Marital statusMarried (at time of death)

SpouseAnita Dheer

FamilySon - Nikitin Dheer; Daughter - Nitika Shah; Father - C. L. Dheer; Brother - Satluj Dheer

Pankaj Dheer Biography

Pankaj Dheer was an Indian actor and director best known for his portrayal of Karna in the 1988 television epic Mahabharat. Born in Mumbai in 1956 into a电影

Early life and background

Pankaj Dheer was born on 9 November 1956 in Mumbai, Maharashtra. The son of film director C. L. Dheer, he grew up with an early connection to the film world. He completed his schooling at St. Theresa’s High School in Mumbai and went on to graduate from MMK College, Mumbai. He spent much of his formative life in Maharashtra, although his family roots are associated with Punjab.

Career

Dheer began his career intent on becoming a director, training in acting and working as an assistant to established filmmakers. His first screen appearance came in the 1983 film Sookha, which marked his entry into cinema as an actor. Over the following decades he appeared in more than 40 films and television shows.

He achieved widespread recognition for playing Karna in the landmark television adaptation of the Indian epic Mahabharat in 1988. That role brought him into millions of homes and is the part most associated with his public identity.

On the big screen he acted in titles across commercial Hindi cinema, including Saugandh, Sanam Bewafa, Sadak, Baadshah, Mr. Bond, Ikke Pe Ikka and Ashaant. His television credits beyond Mahabharat included series such as Kanoon, Chandrakanta, Harischandra, Yug and Sasural Simar Ka.

Dheer also directed for film; his directorial credit includes My Father Godfather (2014). He remained involved in multiple facets of production and owned a shooting facility called Visage Studioz. In 2010 he helped establish Abbhinnay Acting Academy as a training ground for aspiring performers, partnering with a former Mahabharat co-star.

Public profile

Dheer was known for his commanding screen presence and dedication to his craft. Physically, he stood around 180 cm (approximately 5 feet 11 inches) tall, with light brown eyes and black hair. Outside of work, he enjoyed horse riding and traveling. His favourite food was rajma-chawal and he liked the colour green. He identified as Hindu and held Indian nationality.

Personal life

Pankaj Dheer married Anita Dheer, a costume designer, on 19 October 1976. The couple had two children: a son, Nikitin Dheer, who followed his father into acting, and a daughter, Nitika Shah. The television actress Kratika Sengar is married to his son and is therefore his daughter-in-law. His immediate family also includes a brother, Satluj Dheer, who worked as a film producer.

Later years and death

Pankaj Dheer lived into his late sixties. He was diagnosed with cancer and died on 15 October 2025 at Dhirubhai Hospital in Mumbai. He was 68 years old at the time of his passing.

Latest updates

At the time of his death, Dheer’s professional legacy included a long list of acting credits across film and television, a directing credit, ownership of a production facility, and the acting academy he helped found for emerging talent. He is remembered most prominently for his portrayal of Karna in Mahabharat.
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Recent Work

My Father Godfather

Film directed by Pankaj Dheer

2014
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Career Highlights

  1. Portrayed Karna in the 1988 television series Mahabharat
  2. Acted in over 40 films and television shows
  3. Owned Visage Studioz and co-founded Abbhinnay Acting Academy
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Frequently Asked Questions

When was Pankaj Dheer born?

9 November 1956

What is Pankaj Dheer known for?

Actor, Film Director

What is Pankaj Dheer’s marital status?

Married (at time of death)

Who is Pankaj Dheer married to?

Anita Dheer