Pankaj Dheer Was Offered Arjuna in Mahabharat, But Refused Due to Moustache; Became Karna Instead
The legendary actor, who passed away at 68, revealed how refusing to shave his moustache changed the course of his career, making him the iconic Karna in BR Chopra’s Mahabharat.
Mumbai, Oct 16: Sometimes, destiny has a sense of humor only life can write. For Pankaj Dheer, it arrived with a crown of fate and a moustache he refused to shave. The actor, who became the face of Karna in BR Chopra’s legendary ‘Mahabharat’, passed away on Wednesday after a long battle with cancer. He was 68.
For millions of viewers in the late 1980s, Pankaj wasn’t just an actor he was Karna. His calm strength, piercing eyes, and golden armour defined the noble warrior for a generation. Yet, few know that he almost played Arjuna instead.
In a past interview, Pankaj narrated how a twist of fate altered his career. After a successful audition, the makers of Mahabharat, including writer Rahi Masoom Raza and lyricist Pandit Narendra Sharma, thought he was perfect for Arjuna. Excited, Pankaj signed the contract, thinking his big break had arrived.
But the celebration ended quickly. Director BR Chopra informed him that Arjuna, during his exile, disguises as Brihannala, which required Pankaj to shave his moustache.
“I said, ‘Sir, I can’t do that. My face won’t look good without a moustache,’” Pankaj recalled. Chopra was shocked and incredulous that an actor would reject a major role over a moustache, reportedly saying, “Are you an actor or what? You’re leaving such a big role because of a moustache?”
Pankaj stood firm. Chopra tore up the contract and sent him away. For six months, he worked on dubbing and wandered aimlessly.
But destiny had a grander plan. Months later, Chopra called him again this time offering the role of Karna.
“Chopra sahab asked, ‘Will you play Karna?’ I asked, ‘Sir, I don’t have to shave off my moustache, right?’ He said no. And that’s how I became Karna. It was destiny,” Pankaj shared.
The role transformed his career. Pankaj Dheer’s Karna became one of the most beloved portrayals in Indian television history. “The love people gave me for Karna was unbelievable. Even some history books use my face for Karna. That’s how deep the connection went,” he said.
Beyond Mahabharat, Pankaj also worked in films and shows like Chandrakanta, where he played the scheming King Shiv Dutt, leaving an indelible mark on Indian entertainment.
