Famous actor Pankaj Dheer, who became a household name by playing the powerful character of Karna in 'Mahabharata', is no more with us. Late night on 14 October, he breathed his last at the age of 68. It is being told that he was suffering from cancer for a long time and was admitted in the hospital. There has been a wave of mourning in the TV and film industry due to his demise.
Pankaj Dheer's name first became famous when he played the role of Karna in BR Chopra's 'Mahabharata' in 1988. His character became so popular that even today the audience remembers him by the same name. After this he worked in popular serials like Chandrakanta, Yug, Great Maratha and many Bollywood films.
In his long career, he earned a good amount of money from acting. According to a report in primeworld.com, he used to charge fees of up to ₹ 60,000 per episode. He also did small but memorable roles in films like Sadhak, Badshah, Soldiers.
According to media reports, Pankaj Dheer had assets worth about ₹42 crore. This includes his property, bank balance, investments and business income in Mumbai and Punjab. Along with films and TV serials, he also earned from brand endorsements. It is said that his annual earning was more than ₹1.44 crore.
In 2006, Pankaj Dheer, along with his brother, started Vijay Studioz, a recording and production studio in Jogeshwari area of Mumbai. Through this he used to provide a platform to new artists and projects. He earned good income from this and also had a keen interest in film production.
Pankaj Dheer was born on 9 November 1956 in Mumbai, but his family ties are from Punjab. He came from a middle class family and became a veteran of the TV industry. He married and his son Nikitin Dheer is also a well-known name in Bollywood, who has worked in films like 'Chennai Express'.
