‘I lost my best friend’: Nikitin Dheer remembers ‘best father’ Pankaj Dheer in first post after his death

Along with pictures of Pankaj from his films and TV serials, the video showed glimpses of Nikitin and his family members performing pooja for the late actor in Rishikesh. While posting the video, Nikitin also recalled Pankaj’s teachings. “I am not the best at expressing my feelings.. But I shall try. It’s said, the only thing that’s guaranteed upon birth is death. We all know it, accept it, believe it, but when one loses someone who is an essential aspect of one’s existence alot of questions arise,” the caption read.

ALSO READ | Pankaj Dheer recovered from cancer, but relapsed last year, reveals Mahabharat co-star Puneet Issar: ‘I lost my brother’

The note further read that while he received a lot of messages after his father’s demise, he was in no state to respond. “On the 15th of October 2025, I lost my Dad, my Guru, my best friend..Shri Pankaj Dheer..he wasn’t well for sometime..it shattered us as a family. After he passed we were thronged by thousands of messages..the people who were younger sent prayers, the elders sent aashirwaad and his friends, colleagues and brothers sent love..we recieved love and respect towards Dad, that no amount of words can express.. I was in no frame of mind to reply to messages.”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by निकितिन धीर (@nikitindheer) 

Nikitin Dheer added, “As a few days passed and I saw the continuous river of love he was receiving, I realised that..this is life..not the material things one gathers.. But the love..the blessings..the aadar satkar..all of which is intangible.. All of which my father shall carry to a life after. Today I am more proud than ever to be his son.. He was the best father a boy could ever ask for..taught me what grit is..what character is..what loyalty is..what persevering is..how one should follow their dreams even if the world thinks you’re delusional.”

Recounting Pankaj Dheer’s life lessons, he mentioned, “All the life lessons he taught me shall be my north star as long as I breathe..the wide range for music he exposed me to..the love for cinema..or as he would call it “Cine माँ”..from him what I got in virasat most is.. utmost love and respect for our industry..knowing how beautiful and inclusive it is. I promise..that as an actor and as a human being I shall make sure I do things to make my father proud.”

“This video is a thank you to all of you.. Who loved him..adored him. We are very grateful for HH Swami Chidanand Shastri ji.. who at Parmarth Aashram helped us with Dad’s asthi visarjan and pooja,” the caption concluded.

Pankaj Dheer was known for his roles in several films, including Sadak, Sanam Bewafa, and Aashik Awara. The actor also appeared in numerous television shows such as Teen Bahuraaniyaan, Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat, and Sasural Simar Ka.