Nikitin Dheer remembers father Pankaj Dheer's Mahabharat stardom
Synopsis
Nikitin Dheer's latest social media post is more than a son's tribute — it is a window into a generation of Indian television actors who became cultural demigods overnight. Sharing rare Mahabharat-era photographs, he recalled how his late father Pankaj Dheer's years of struggle culminated in a role — Karna — that made him immortal in the eyes of millions.
Key Takeaways
Nikitin Dheer shared rare throwback photographs of his late father Pankaj Dheer on 30 September , recalling the stardom of the Mahabharat cast.
Pankaj Dheer is best remembered for playing Karna in B.
Chopra's 'Mahabharat' .
Nikitin revealed that his father and actor Puneet Issar (who played Duryodhana) were childhood friends whose bond lasted a lifetime.
Pankaj Dheer passed away on 15 October last year at the age of 68 after his cancer reportedly relapsed.
Nikitin has been regularly sharing emotional tributes to his father since his passing, including a heartfelt post in May this year .
Actor Nikitin Dheer on Wednesday, 30 September shared a heartfelt tribute to his late father Pankaj Dheer on social media, revisiting the extraordinary stardom the veteran actor experienced following the telecast of B. R. Chopra's iconic mythological series 'Mahabharat'. The post, accompanied by rare photographs from that era, offered a rare glimpse into the world of one of Indian television's most celebrated casts.
The Post and What It Said
Sharing the precious throwback images on his official social media handle, Nikitin wrote: 'As a child i remember the craze and stardom these men witnessed. They were all demi gods. Noone and i mean noone came close to their star power for a while once #mahabharat released. All the years my Dad struggled and waited and prepared. It had paid off. Came across these pics. Thought i should share (sic).'
He went on to reflect on the deep personal bond that connected the cast, noting that his father Pankaj Dheer and actor Puneet Issar — who portrayed Duryodhana in the series — were childhood friends long before they were co-stars. 'My Dad and Puneet uncle were childhood friends, from there to playing best friends in the show, to a friendship that lasted a lifetime. How lucky was that generation. So much to learn and imbibe (sic),' Nikitin added.
Pankaj Dheer's Legacy on Mahabharat
Pankaj Dheer is best remembered for his portrayal of the tragic hero Karna in B. R. Chopra's 'Mahabharat', a performance that earned him enduring recognition across generations of Indian television audiences. The series remains one of the most-watched mythological dramas in the country's broadcasting history, and its cast attained a level of cultural reverence rarely seen in Indian entertainment.
Notably, the friendship between Pankaj Dheer and Puneet Issar — who played the rival characters Karna and Duryodhana on screen — added a poignant real-life dimension to the show's legacy, with their off-screen bond reportedly lasting a lifetime.
Pankaj Dheer's Passing
Pankaj Dheer passed away on 15 October last year at the age of 68, after his cancer reportedly relapsed. His death was mourned widely across the Indian film and television fraternity. Ever since, Nikitin has regularly shared emotional tributes and personal memories of his father on social media.
In May this year, Nikitin posted a throwback photograph of himself with his father, accompanied by a deeply personal note: 'Miss you Yaar Dad. In everything, everywhere, all the time..especially miss your hugs. Hope you're well, wherever on your onward journey you may be, love you forever, in any and every realm…#harharmahadev.'
A Generation Remembered
Nikitin's posts have resonated with fans of the original 'Mahabharat' series, many of whom grew up watching Pankaj Dheer bring the complex character of Karna to life. His tributes serve as a reminder of an era when Indian television's mythological genre commanded mass cultural reverence, and its actors were regarded as near-divine figures by audiences across the country. As Nikitin continues to honour his father's memory, the legacy of that generation of performers remains very much alive.
Point of View
Shared national experience. What mainstream coverage of such posts tends to miss is the generational commentary embedded in Nikitin's words: his father spent years in struggle before one role defined him forever. That arc — patience, preparation, and a single transformative opportunity — is as relevant to today's content-saturated entertainment landscape as it was in the late 1980s. The friendship between Pankaj Dheer and Puneet Issar, rivals on screen and lifelong friends off it, also quietly underscores a collaborative spirit that the current industry could reflect on.
NationPress
30 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Pankaj Dheer and what is he known for?
Pankaj Dheer was a veteran Indian actor best known for portraying the tragic hero Karna in B. R. Chopra's iconic television series 'Mahabharat'. He passed away on 15 October last year at the age of 68 after his cancer reportedly relapsed.
What did Nikitin Dheer post about his father?
Nikitin Dheer shared rare photographs from the Mahabharat era on his social media handle on 30 September, recalling the extraordinary stardom his father and the cast experienced after the series aired. He also revealed that Pankaj Dheer and actor Puneet Issar were childhood friends who remained close throughout their lives.
What was the relationship between Pankaj Dheer and Puneet Issar?
Pankaj Dheer and Puneet Issar — who played Karna and Duryodhana respectively in 'Mahabharat' — were childhood friends long before the show brought them together on screen. According to Nikitin Dheer, their friendship lasted a lifetime.
When did Pankaj Dheer pass away?
Pankaj Dheer passed away on 15 October last year at the age of 68. His death was attributed to a relapse of cancer, according to reports at the time.
Has Nikitin Dheer shared other tributes to his father?
Yes. In May this year, Nikitin posted a throwback photograph with his father alongside a deeply personal note saying he misses him 'in everything, everywhere, all the time' and especially misses his hugs. He has been regularly sharing such tributes since Pankaj Dheer's passing.
