Mahabharats Bheem, actor Praveen Kumar Sobti, dies of heart attack

Praveen Kumar Sobti, who played Bheem in BR Chopra’s Mahabharat, died on February 7 at the age of 75.

The actor’s daughter Nikunika told a news outlet, “He passed away yesterday around 9.30 pm. He suffered a heart attack. He died at home in Delhi.”

Besides playing the role of Bheem, which made him a household name, Praveen Kumar Sobti also acted in many films, including Amitabh Bachchan’s  Shahenshah and Dharmendra’s Loha. Other films to his credit include Aaj Ka Arjun, Ajooba and Ghayal. He featured in more than 50 Hindi films.

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Praveen Kumar Sobti was born on December 6, 1947. Before he became an actor, at the age of 20, he joined the newly raised Border Security Force. He was a hammer and discus throw athlete. A four-time Asian Games medallist, he represented India in the 1968 Mexico and 1972 Munich Olympics and was honoured with the Arjuna award. He was a silver medalist in the Commonwealth Games in Kingston in 1966. He also worked as Deputy Commandant in the Border Security Force (BSF).

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Praveen Kumar Sobti contested the Delhi Assembly elections on an Aam Aadmi Party ticket in 2013 and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party in 2014.