Mumbai: Bollywood actor Sidharth Malhotra attended the funeral of veteran film and television star Pankaj Dheer, who passed away on Wednesday at the age of 68 after a prolonged battle with cancer.
The funeral was held at Pawan Hans Crematorium in Vile Parle (West), Mumbai, and saw several members of the film fraternity arrive to pay their final respects.
Emotional Moments at the Funeral
Sidharth, dressed in a simple white shirt and blue jeans, was seen meeting and consoling Pankaj Dheer’s son, actor Nikitin Dheer, and other family members.
Salman Khan also attended the cremation around the same time, offering condolences to the bereaved family.
Veteran actor Mukesh Rishi was among those present at the crematorium, joining colleagues and friends in mourning the loss of the beloved artist.
A Respected Figure in Indian Television and Cinema
Pankaj Dheer, best remembered for his iconic portrayal of Karna in B.R. Chopra’s epic TV series Mahabharat, had been undergoing treatment for cancer and had recently undergone major surgery.
Over his decades-long career, he worked in several Hindi films and television serials, earning immense respect for his versatility and dedication.
His son Nikitin Dheer, who starred alongside Sidharth Malhotra in Shershaah, followed in his father’s footsteps in the entertainment industry.
Industry Tributes and CINTAA Statement
Tributes poured in from across the entertainment world. Actor Feroz Khan, who played Arjun in Mahabharat, shared an emotional post on social media:
“Gentleman!!! Bids goodbye 😢 will miss you PD 💔 stay blessed ✨,” he wrote, sharing a nostalgic photo with the late actor.
The Cine & TV Artistes’ Association (CINTAA) also issued an official statement mourning Dheer’s passing:
“CINTAA and CAWT mourn the loss of Shri Pankaj Dheer ji — former General Secretary of CINTAA and former Chairman of CAWT — a respected member of our fraternity whose invaluable contributions to Indian cinema and television will always be remembered.”
Survived by Family
Pankaj Dheer is survived by his wife Aneeta Dheer, son Nikitin Dheer, and daughter-in-law Kratika Sengar, who is also a well-known television actress.
The family has requested privacy as they grieve the loss of the veteran performer.
Funeral timing: 4:30 PM at Pawan Hans Crematorium, Vile Parle (W), Mumbai.
Om Shanti.