Panakj Dheer was first cast as Arjun in Mahabharat but lost the role for refusing to shave his moustache—a decision that later became his greatest success as Karna.

Pankaj Dheer, a veteran actor who played Karna in B.R. Chopra’s famous 1988 TV show Mahabharat, died after a lengthy fight with cancer. Dheer had a huge screen presence and a powerful way of delivering lines that made him a favorite with audiences. But not many people know that he was first offered the part of Arjun. Fate then led him to Karna, which changed his life forever.

When Pankaj Dheer almost got the part of Arjun

In an interview with Lehren in 2023, the late actor talked about how his journey with Mahabharat started off quite differently. He said, “Everyone thought I would look good as Arjun, so they told me to become Arjun.” Haath milaya, aur ab contract ban gayi. Arjun kept coming to the bank for 2–3 months, and then in the third month, Chopra called me and said, “You have to play the role of Brihannala, so you have to cut your mooch.” I said, “I can’t do this.”

The actor stated he wouldn’t shave his famous mustache since it was important to him for both looks and identity.

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How fate turned him become Karna

Dheer went on, “I told him that my face was balanced in such a way that if I took out my mooch, it wouldn’t look good.” So they started saying, “You are an actor, and you have a big mooch.” But I told them I wouldn’t shave my mooch. So they were very disappointed with me and I was stupid at the time, so they kicked me out of the office… It was taken out for six months. Now this is what fate is: when Chopra calls everyone back and asks, “Will you play Karna?” So I asked, “You don’t have to cut your hair?” They said no, and I said yes, sir! So that was my destiny: I had to play the role of Karna.

That turn of events turned out to be a good thing. Dheer’s portrayal of Karna is still one of the most famous in Indian television history, and people of all ages still admire and recognize him for it.

After Mahabharat, Pankaj Dheer became quite famous. He went on to star in a number of successful movies, such as Sadak, Sanam Bewafa, and Aashik Awara, to name a few.

His wife, Anita Dheer, and son, Nikitin Dheer, who is also an actor, are still alive. Nikitin Dheer followed in his father’s footsteps.