'Mahabharat' actor Praveen Kumar Sobti dies

Actor-athlete Praveen Kumar Sobti, best known for playing Bheem in the TV series Mahabharat and for winning an Asian Games gold medal, died following a cardiac arrest late Monday evening. He passed away between 10-10.30 PM following a cardiac arrest, a relative of Praveen told PTI.

Actor-athlete Praveen Kumar Sobti, best known for playing Bheem in the TV series ''Mahabharat'' and for winning an Asian Games gold medal, died following a cardiac arrest late Monday evening. He was 74.

The actor breathed his last at his Ashok Vihar residence here.

''He had a chronic chest infection problem. At night, when he started feeling uneasy, we called the doctor at home. He passed away between 10-10.30 PM following a cardiac arrest,'' a relative of Praveen told PTI. Praveen represented the country across various athletic events in hammer and discus throw and even won four medals at the Asian Games, including two gold medals in 1966 and 1970.

He also won a silver medal in Hammer Throw during the 1966 Commonwealth Games. The athlete gained further popularity after he began his acting career and was featured as Bheem in BR Chopra's classic ''Mahabharat'' in 1988.

He is survived by his wife, daughter, two younger brothers, and a sister.