✦ Celebrity stories, facts and career updates. Explore F4U now →

Home › Biography › Praveen Kumar (Actor)

Praveen Kumar (Actor) biographyFeatured Biography

Image source: StarsUnfolded

Actors

Praveen Kumar (Actor) Biography: Age, Career, Family and More

F4U Editorial Desk • Updated October 1, 2026 • 6 min read

Quick Info

Date of birth6 December 1947

Age74 Years (at time of death)

BirthplaceSarhali Kalan, Punjab, India

ProfessionActor, Politician, Hammer and Discus Thrower

NationalityIndian

Marital statusMarried

FamilyOne son (worked at Jet Airways) and daughter Nipunika Sobti

Praveen Kumar (Actor) Biography

Praveen Kumar Sobti was an Indian athlete-turned-actor and politician best known for his portrayal of Bheem in the 1988 television epic Mahabharat. A two‑m

Early life and background

Praveen Kumar Sobti was born on 6 December 1947 in Sarhali Kalan, Punjab, India. He attended a government school in his native village where he took part in inter-school sports from an early age. Tall and physically powerful, he trained himself through disciplined daily practice and early morning workouts during his teenage years.

Career

Praveen first gained national attention as a track-and-field athlete specializing in hammer and discus throw. He represented India at major international competitions, winning medals across Asian Games and Commonwealth events. His achievements included gold medals at the Asian Games in 1966 and 1970, and a silver at the 1974 Asian Games in Tehran. He also earned a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games in Kingston and competed for India at the Summer Olympics in 1968 and 1972.

For his sporting accomplishments he received the Arjuna Award and held a leadership position in the Border Security Force as Deputy Commandant.

After retiring from athletics, Praveen moved into films. He made his cinematic debut in 1981 with the movie Raksha and went on to appear in a number of Hindi and regional films, including Lorie, Hum Hain Lajawab, Zabardast, Adhikar, Raat Ke Baad, Tera Karam Mera Dharam, and Aaj Ka Arjun. On television he became widely recognized for playing the role of Bheem in B. R. Chopra’s television adaptation of the Indian epic Mahabharat (1988). He also portrayed Saaboo in the TV show Chacha Chaudhary.

Praveen later entered politics. In 2013 he joined the Aam Aadmi Party and contested the Delhi assembly election from the Wazirpur constituency. The following year he left AAP and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party.

Public profile

Praveen’s imposing height—around 200 cm (approximately 6 feet 6 inches)—and physical presence shaped both his athletic and acting careers. His eye colour was brown and hair grey in later years. His daughter Nipunika Sobti received public attention when she was publicly linked with a prominent film actor. Praveen was known to enjoy watching films and travelling, and his preferred foods included mutton, chicken and fish fry.

Personal life and death

Praveen was married and had at least two children: a son who worked for Jet Airways and a daughter, Nipunika Sobti. He came from a large family that included four brothers and a sister. He observed Hinduism and was a non-vegetarian. On 7 February 2022 Praveen Kumar died at his residence in Ashok Vihar, New Delhi, at the age of 74. The cause of death was reported as cardiac arrest.

Latest updates

Praveen’s legacy remains tied to his dual careers in sport and entertainment. He is remembered for his athletic medals and for making a lasting impression as Bheem in Mahabharat, a role that brought him widespread recognition.
◈

Recent Work

Mahabharat (TV Series)

Played the role of Bheem in the 1988 Indian epic television series.

1988
Raksha

Made his film debut in this Bollywood movie.

1981
Chacha Chaudhary

Portrayed the character Saaboo in the television show.

✦

Career Highlights

  1. Gold medals in discus throw at the 1966 and 1970 Asian Games
  2. Silver medal at the Commonwealth Games in Kingston
  3. Represented India at the 1968 and 1972 Summer Olympics
  4. Recipient of the Arjuna Award
  5. Played Bheem in the 1988 TV series Mahabharat
?

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Praveen Kumar (Actor) born?

6 December 1947

What is Praveen Kumar (Actor) known for?

Actor, Politician, Hammer and Discus Thrower

What is Praveen Kumar (Actor)’s marital status?

Married