English News

indianarrative
  • youtube
  • facebook
  • twitter

Gadadahari Bheem of Mahabharata fame, Praveen Kumar is no more

Praveen Kumar Sobti who shot to fame with his memorable role as Bheem in the television serial 'Mahabharat'

The actor-athlete whose face immediately comes up whenever Bheem of Mahabharata is mentioned — Praveen Kumar Sobti — is no more. He passed away at the age of 74 in the Capital and was cremated today.

He died of a heart attack at his residence. A member of his family told PTI: "He had a chronic chest infection problem. At night, when he started feeling uneasy, we called the doctor at home. He passed away between 10-10.30 pm following a cardiac arrest.”

Sobti was in the Border Security Force or BSF which he joined at the age of 20. He went to achieve sporting glory with medals at the Asian Games and the Commonwealth Games. Later he carved for himself a successful stint in acting and politics.

The athlete represented India in the hammer and discus throw, winning gold medals for the discus event at the 1966 and 1970 Asian Games. In the 1966 Commonwealth Games and 1974 Asian Games he picked up silver medals besides competing in the 1968 and 1972 Olympics.

Besides playing the iconic Bheem in B.R. Chopra magnum opus Mahabharat, Sobti also acted in films like Raksha, Shahenshah, Ajooba, Aaj Ka Arjun, Ghayal and others.