Roopa Ganguly, forever etched in the minds of viewers as Draupadi from the beloved ‘Mahabharat,’ has spoken emotionally about the passing of her co-star Pankaj Dheer, who portrayed Karna. Dheer succumbed to cancer on October 15, 2025, a loss that has deeply saddened Ganguly. She remembered him as a gentleman of impeccable manners and a soft-spoken individual, affectionately referring to him as ‘my most handsome friend.’
Ganguly recounted receiving the heartbreaking news from Nitish Bharadwaj, another ‘Mahabharat’ alumnus. The revelation left her devastated and questioning. “I can’t imagine he left us at this age. I am so sorry to hear this. I don’t know what to say,” she stated, her voice filled with emotion. She was unaware of his health struggles, as their last communication via text messages was only about a year ago, making the news of his death a profound shock.
Ganguly reminisced about Dheer’s suave demeanor on the ‘Mahabharat’ sets, noting his striking good looks. She admitted to often texting him with the nickname ‘my most handsome friend,’ a sentiment he seemed to appreciate. She highlighted his reserved nature and polite conduct, distinguishing him from some of the more spirited actors on the show. Ganguly, whose acting career spans decades and includes notable roles in films and TV, mourns the departure of a kind-hearted and respected colleague.