Mahabharat's 'Bheem', actor Praveen Kumar Sobti dies
Actor Praveen Kumar Sobti, well known for portraying Bheem in BR Chopra's epic programme Mahabharat, has passed away. He was 74. Praveen was known for his huge build and appeared in a number of Bollywood films as a henchman, goon and bodyguard.
Hailing from Punjab, the 6'6" actor and sportsman was a hammer and discus throw athlete before he decided to pursue acting.
He has won four Asian Games medals (2 gold, 1 silver, and 1 bronze) and has also participated in two Olympic Games for India (1968 Mexico Games and 1972 Munich Games). Praveen is also a recipient of the Arjuna Award.
He was promoted to Deputy Commandant in the Border Security Force (BSF) as a result of his athletic achievements.
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Praveen switched to a career in showbiz in the late 1970s after a successful career in track & field sports. Praveen had recounted signing his first Bollywood film while in Kashmir for a tournament in an interview with the Times of India. He had no dialogue in his debut role, which was directed by Ravikant Nagaich.
In 1981, Praveen went on to star in another film, Raksha and a number of other roles after that. His most memorable role in Bollywood was as Mukhtaar Singh in Amitabh Bachchan's Shahenshah.
The actor was also featured in films like Karishma Kudrat Kaa, Yudh, Zabardast, Singhasan, Khudgarz, Loha, Mohabbat Ke Dushman and Ilaaka among others. In the late '80s, he went on to play Bheem in BR Chopra's Mahabharat which immortalise him. Praveen, like the rest of the cast, got known for the character he played in the popular mythological epic.
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-PTC News 
