Pankaj Dheer was earning ‘just Rs 300 a month’ before ‘Mahabharat’; Mukesh Khana recalls the late actor’s hardships

Actor Pankaj Dheer, renowned for his portrayal of Karna in ‘Mahabharat’, passed away on October 15, 2025, after a battle with cancer. Co-star Mukesh Khanna remembered Dheer’s humble beginnings, revealing he started as an assistant director earning Rs 300 a month, despite his father’s industry connections. Dheer faced significant hardships before achieving fame on television and in films.