# Pankaj Dheer Injury On Mahabharat Set And The Famous Mustache Story

> Veteran actor Pankaj Dheer shares details about his journey, a dangerous eye injury during Mahabharat shooting, and how he almost rejected the iconic role of Karna due to his mustache.

**Type:** article · **Category:** Entertainment · **Published:** 2026-11-08 · **Source:** TrendKia
**Canonical:** https://trendkia.com/en/entertainment/pnkaja-dhira-ke-mahabharata-seta-para-ghayala-hone-aura-karna-ke-rola-ki-kahani-58160 · **Language:** English
**Tags:** Pankaj Dheer, Mahabharat, Karna, Television History, Bollywood

Some performers play a role, while a select few become the living face of those characters for generations. Bollywood actor Pankaj Dheer belongs to this rare category, having built a remarkable career spanning television, film, and directing since 1981. Born in Punjab on November 9, 1956, the world of cinema was not entirely foreign to him as his father, C.L. Dheer, was a well-known filmmaker. Pankaj Dheer began his acting journey in the 1980s by taking on minor roles across various feature films.

 

## Early Ambitions Behind the Camera
 Historical accounts note that Pankaj Dheer initially aspired to work behind the scenes as a film director rather than stepping in front of the camera, but destiny guided him toward acting instead. From the small screen to the big screen, he carved a special place in the hearts of viewers through his powerful acting, strong screen presence, and meticulous attention to detail. His ability to mold himself into diverse characters earned him a distinct identity, turning him into an enduring part of audience memories. He secured his major breakthrough in 1988 when he was cast as Karna in the epic television series Mahabharat.

 

## A Dangerous Close Call on the Set
 Production on that serial involved a harrowing incident that nearly caused severe damage to his eye. During the filming of a battle sequence between Karna and Arjuna, an arrow was supposed to graze his bow and snap in half, but a technical malfunction caused the projectile to strike the corner of his eye instead. Removing the arrow resulted in heavy bleeding near his eye, an event he later recounted during a personal interview.

 

## The Casting Process for Mahabharat
 An interesting anecdote surrounds his casting, as Pankaj Dheer was originally selected for the role of Arjuna rather than Karna. When he was working at B.R. Chopra's studio, auditions for the Mahabharat serial commenced, and studio in-charge Madan Chopra informed him about the casting calls, encouraging him to participate.

 

## Hesitation Over Shaving the Mustache
 Expecting little success given that millions of applications had poured in, he initially lacked the courage to audition. However, meeting B.R. Chopra and receiving a callback instilled some confidence, leading him to join the massive crowds at the audition venue the next day. Within months, he was assigned the part of Arjuna, causing him to spend three to four months walking around Mumbai prepared for that specific character due to his height and facial structure. Eventually, producers called him back to the office and reassigned him to the role of Karna. Pankaj Dheer initially refused because playing Karna required him to shave off his mustache, as he worried he would look unappealing without facial hair, but he eventually agreed after being persuaded by others.

 

## Stardom and Subsequent Projects
 Reflecting on the experience in an interview, Pankaj revealed that playing Karna completely transformed his life, bringing him immense popularity that placed him third on a popularity poll, trailing only Rajiv Gandhi and Amitabh Bachchan. He breathed life into the character of Danveer Karna with absolute dedication, leading viewers to view him as Karna in real life. Throughout his career, he worked across numerous films and television productions, with his portrayal of Karna remaining his most unforgettable contribution to Indian cinema.

 

## Television and Film Career
 From 1994 to 1996, Pankaj Dheer starred in the fantasy television series Chandrakanta, based on Devaki Nandan Khatri's 1888 novel of the same name, where he played the popular role of King Shivdutta of the fictional kingdom of Chunargarh. His notable film credits include Bobby Deol's Soldier, Shah Rukh Khan's Baadshah, Akshay Kumar's Andaaz, and Ajay Devan's Zameen and Tarzan.

## Questions & Answers

### 1. When and where was Pankaj Dheer born?
Pankaj Dheer was born on November 9, 1956, in Punjab.

### 2. Which role did Pankaj Dheer play in Mahabharat?
Pankaj Dheer played the iconic role of Karna in the television epic Mahabharat.

### 3. What accident occurred during the shooting of Mahabharat?
During a battle sequence shoot, a technical glitch caused an arrow to strike near the corner of his eye, resulting in heavy bleeding.

### 4. Which character was Pankaj Dheer originally selected for?
Pankaj Dheer was originally selected to play the character of Arjuna.

### 5. Why did Pankaj Dheer initially refuse the role of Karna?
He initially refused because playing Karna required him to shave off his mustache, which he feared would make him look unappealing.

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