Pankaj Dheer funeral: Salman Khan pays last respects amid heavy security, consoles son Nikitin; Mahabharat co-stars bid adieu

Salman Khan arrived for Pankaj Dheer's last rites on Wednesday evening. The late actor's Mahabharat co-stars also paid their last respects.

Salman Khan attended Pankaj Dheer’s last rites. (Pic: PTI)

Veteran actor Pankaj Dheer, who played the iconic role of Karna in BR Chopra’s Mahabharat, passed away on Wednesday. The actor’s last rites took place today at the Pawan Hans crematorium in Mumbai’s Santacruz area. Bollywood actor Salman Khan was seen paying his last respects at the funeral. Salman was seen arriving amid heavy security as he consoled Pankaj’s son, actor Nikitin Dheer. Pankaj had worked with Salman in the film Tumko Na Bhool Payenge.

In an old interaction with Lehren Retro, Pankaj had spoken about his bond with Salman. He said, “Salman grew up in front of me. He used to play cricket in Bandra. I didn’t think at that time that Salman Khan would become such a big hero. There is no better person than Salman Khan in this industry. He is a very beautiful human and I don’t have words to describe him, I salute him. Whenever I meet him, I hug him. It doesn’t matter whether we work together or not. He has given up everything for his family. He has a big heart. I respect him a lot.”

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Actor Sidharth Malhotra was also there to pay his last respects.

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Pankaj’s Mahabharat co-stars Surendra Pal, who played the role of Drona, and Firoz Khan, who played the role of Arjuna, and actor Mukesh Rishi were also present. Surendra paid tribute to Pankaj and wrote on Instagram, “Rest in Peace Pankaj Dheer, it has been a 46 years of Friendship even before the Mahabharat time. He was like a brother to me. His memory & great work shall always be cherished, he was a great human being, gifted actor & a distinguished personality. It’s huge personal loss for me. I wish strength to the family & dearest ones. Om shanti.”

Also read | Pankaj Dheer dies: Actor was offered Arjuna’s role in Mahabharat; BR Chopra threw him out after he refused to shave moustache

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Pankaj died after battling cancer. He was 68. The Cine and TV Artistes’ Association (CINTAA) paid tribute to the late actor. Their statement read, “With profound grief and deep sorrow, we inform you of the passing of our Trust’s erstwhile Chairman and CINTAA’s former Hon. General Secretary, Shri Pankaj Dheer ji, on 15th October 2025. The cremation will be held today at 4:30 pm, next to Pawan Hans, Vile Parle (W), Mumbai.”

Apart from Mahabharat, Pankaj starred in films like Baadshah, Tumko Na Bhool Payenge, Zameen, and others. He had also appeared in TV shows like Sasural Simar Ka, Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat, among others.

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Entertainment Mahabharat's Karna, actor Pankaj Dheer, passes away at 68