Praveen Kumar who played Bheem in BR Chopra’s Mahabharat dies at 74

Feb. 8: Pravin Kumar Sobti, who was popular for essaying the role of Bheem in BR Chopra’s Mahabharat, has passed away following a cardiac arrest. He had just turned 74 in December last year. While Mahabharat’s Bheem was known for his physical strength, Saboo from Chacha Chaudhary was a giant who had come to Earth from Jupiter.

Pravin Kumar Sobti has also starred in many films including Amitabh Bachchan-starrer Shehenshah and Dharmendra’s Loha. Other films to his credit include Aaj Ka Arjun, Yudh, Mohabbat Ke Dushman, Karishma Kudrat Kaa, Ajooba and Ghayal, among others. His last film was Barbarik in 2013. Pravin has worked in almost 50 films and TV shows.

Before moving onto to sports and acting, Sobti had joined the Border Security Force (BSF) at 20. It gave him the opportunity to hone himself as an athlete. The official BSF Twitter handle posted this condolence message after Mr Sobti’s death:

Director General & All Ranks of BSF condole the untimely demise of Sh Praveen Kumar Sobti, former Deputy Commandant, Arjuna Awardee, two-time Olympian (1968 Mexico Games and 1972 Munich Games) & four-time Asian Games medallist (2 gold, 1 silver and 1 bronze).#JaiHind#RIP pic.twitter.com/NPsqCjhou7

— BSF (@BSF_India) February 8, 2022

While in the BSF, Praveen Kumar Sobti’s athletic talent gained him recognition. He represented India in the hammer and discus throw, winning gold medals for the discus event at the 1966 and 1970 Asian Games. He won silver medals at the 1966 Commonwealth Games and the 1974 Asian Games. Mr Sobti also competed at the 1968 and 1972 Olympics.

The athlete-actor then moved onto politics and joined the Aam Aadmi Party in 2013 and contested in the Delhi Assembly election. Sobti joined the BJP the next year after losing.