'The arrow was supposed to...': Pankaj Dheer once faced near-blindness while shooting for 'Mahabharat'

Veteran actor Pankaj Dheer passed away on October 15, 2025, at the age of 68 after battling pancreatic cancer. However, he remains immortal in the hearts of audiences for his portrayal of ‘Karna’ in BR Chopra’s epic .

However, few knew that the actor had endured severe accidents while filming the iconic series. In a past interview with DD Urdu, Dheer had revealed that he almost lost his eyesight during a battle sequence with Arjun, played by Arjun Feroz Khan. What was supposed to be a simple stunt turned disastrous when an arrow, due to a technical fault, jammed into the corner of his eye.


Pankaj Dheer’s near-blindness scare on set

Recalling the harrowing incident, Dheer said, “The arrow was supposed to touch my bow and break, but it rammed into my eye instead. When they removed it, blood gushed out like a fountain. People around me said, ‘Pankaj Dheer andha ho gaya hai,’ and I was terrified, my career had just begun.” The shoot took place at Mumbai’s Film City, which was then underdeveloped, leaving no medical facilities nearby. He was rushed to a small dispensary, where an elderly doctor administered injections, stitched the wound, and bandaged his eye, saving his vision. Despite his injury, Dheer returned to set within days. He was filming scenes with his bandage partially concealed on camera, as instructed by Ravi Chopra.

A narrow escape from death

In another chilling on-set episode, Dheer’s chariot broke apart during a war sequence. The charioteer fell and was gravely injured as the horses bolted toward a steep slope. Realizing the danger, Dheer leaped off the runaway chariot, injuring his knees but saving his life. “If I hadn’t jumped, I would have fallen into the gorge,” he recalled.

Pankaj Dheer's demise is surely a loss for both the TV and movie industry.