Mukesh Khanna: Pankaj Dheer Never Read the Real Mahabharat, Called “Convent Pandav"

Veteran actor Mukesh Khanna paid an emotional tribute to his "Mahabharat" co-star Pankaj Dheer, who passed away on October 15 at 68 after a prolonged battle with cancer, revealing a light-hearted yet poignant anecdote about their time on the iconic 1988-1990 BR Chopra series. Khanna, who portrayed Bhishma Pitamah to Dheer's Karna, affectionately recalled dubbing him the "convent Pandav" due to his modern, urban upbringing and admitted unfamiliarity with the epic's original text.

The remark, shared during a media interaction on Thursday, underscores the duo's camaraderie amid shared hardships, as Dheer started his career as an assistant director earning Rs 300 monthly despite his father's film industry ties. Khanna's reflections come as tributes flood in for Dheer, whose towering portrayal of the tragic warrior Karna earned him lifelong reverence, including devotees building temples in his honor and fans addressing him as "Karna Maharaj."

Khanna reminisced about Dheer's journey, noting how the late actor faced significant struggles early on, including rejections and financial woes, before landing the role that defined his legacy. "I worked with him again in 'Saugandh' and 'Pandav'. He used to call me MK, he loved food and he spoke very nicely. He also dressed very well," Khanna shared, adding that Dheer "never read the real Mahabharat," highlighting a generational gap in their approach to the mythological narrative.

The "convent Pandav" moniker, a playful nod to Dheer's English-medium education contrasting the epic's Sanskrit roots, symbolized their differing perspectives—Khanna, a self-proclaimed purist, often delved deeply into scriptures, while Dheer brought a contemporary flair to his performance. Despite this, Khanna praised Dheer's dedication, recounting how he maintained a steady gaze without blinking during intense scenes, embodying Karna's unyielding pride.

Dheer's Karna, born of Kunti's secret union with Surya, resonated as the epic's ultimate underdog, a narrative that propelled him to national stardom. Offered the role of Arjuna initially, Dheer declined after BR Chopra insisted on shaving his mustache, only to be summoned back for Karna—mustache intact—after another actor faltered. This twist of fate, as Dheer once quipped, was "destiny," allowing him to infuse the character with emotional depth that captivated audiences.

Post-"Mahabharat," Dheer's baritone voice and commanding presence shone in "Chandrakanta" as King Shivdutt alongside Khanna's Vrendra, and in films like "Tevar" and TV shows such as "Kanoon." A near-miss on set, where an arrow grazed his eye during a battle sequence, further mythologized his commitment, while fan devotion manifested in two temples dedicated to his Karna portrayal in Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan.

As the industry mourns, Khanna lamented the dwindling "Mahabharat" cast, with Gufi Paintal (Shakuni) and Praveen Kumar (Bheem) preceding Dheer in passing. "Over time, many of our co-stars have gone... And now, Pankaj too," he reflected, urging younger actors to emulate such resilience. Dheer's son, Vashu Dheer, an assistant director on "Chennai Express," shared the family's grief, noting his father's unyielding spirit until the end.

Khanna's tribute, blending humor and heartache, immortalizes a bond forged in epic storytelling, reminding fans that while Karna's tale ended in tragedy, Dheer's legacy endures as a beacon of dignified defiance in Indian television history.