Praveen Kumar Sobti (6 December 1947 – 7 February 2022)[2] was an Indian hammer and discus thrower, film actor, politician, and soldier with Border Security Force. As a 20 year old he joined then newly raised Border Security Force from where he attracted the attention of his officers through his fine athletic skills and went to represent India at various athletic events in "Discus throw". As an athlete he won four medals at the Asian Games, including two gold medals, won a silver medal in the Commonwealth Games and competed in two Olympics. As an actor, he starred in more than 50 Hindi films and played the famous character of "Bheem" in B.R. Chopra's television series Mahabharat that started in 1988. As a politician he contested the 2013 Delhi Legislative elections on an Aam Aadmi Party ticket, but lost. Subsequently, in 2014, he joined the Bharatiya Janata Party.
 Kumar at the 1974 Asian Games | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Praveen Kumar Sobti |
| Born | 6 December 1947 Sarhali, East Punjab, India |
| Died | 7 February 2022 (aged 74) New Delhi, India |
| Height | 6 ft 7 in (201 cm) |
| Weight | 270 lb (122 kg) |
| Sport | |
| Sport | Athletics |
| Event(s) | Discus throw, Hammer throw |
| Achievements and titles | |
| Personal best(s) | DT – 56.74 m (1973) HT – 65.76 m (1969)[1] |
Sports edit
Kumar was a star of Indian athletics in the 1960s and the 1970s.[3] He dominated the Indian hammer and discus throws for several years. He won gold medals in the discus throw at the 1966 and 1970 Asian Games, holding the Asian Games record of 56.76 metres. He was a silver medalist in the 1966 Commonwealth Games in Kingston and in the 1974 Asian Games in Tehran. He competed in the 1968 Summer Olympics and in the 1972 Summer Olympics.[1]
Cinematic journey edit
Praveen Kumar's debut film was Raksha, a James Bond style Indian movie starring Jeetendra with him playing a large henchman gorilla inspired by Jaws of The Spy Who Loved Me. He did similar role of Justin, a large henchman fighting against Jeetendra in Meri Awaz Suno.
Praveen Kumar earned national acclaim when he played the role "Bheem" in B R Chopra's popular historical and real story based tele serial Mahabharata, making him a household name.[4][5] Praveen Kumar also played the role of "Saaboo" in Chacha Chaudhary (the TV series) for a large number of episodes. After the Mahabharata serial, Praveen Kumar got many acting roles in Indian films, though he cut down on his acting career, in order to launch his political career in Haryana and Delhi.[6][7] He also acted in the famous comedy Tamil film Micheal Madana Kama Rajan as a Body Guard.
Praveen Kumar was the actor to take the first blow of one of the most successful and famous punch dialogues of superstar Amitabh Bachchan, "Rishte Mein to Hum Tumhare Baap Hote hain, naam hai Shahenshah!" in Tinnu Anand's blockbuster Shahenshah. Praveen Kumar played the semi-comedic role of the legendary "Mukhtar Singh", a drug dealer who later becomes a dairy owner, upon being beaten up by Shahenshah.
Politics edit
In 2013 Kumar joined the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).[8] He contested the Delhi assembly elections from the Wazirpur constituency on an AAP ticket, but lost. The next year, he joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).[9]
Death edit
Sobti died from a heart attack in New Delhi on the night of 7 February 2022, at the age of 74.[4]
Filmography edit
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Raksha | Gorilla | |
| Meri Aawaz Suno | Justin | ||
| 1982 | Ghazab | Henchman | |
| Pralaya Rudrudu[10] | Bearhug | Telugu Film | |
| 1983 | Humse Na Jeeta Koi | Smuggler Lobo | |
| Hum Se Hai Zamana | Killer | ||
| 1984 | Lorie | Goon | |
| Raaj Tilak | Daku Lashkar Singh | ||
| Hum Hain Lajawab | Henchman | ||
| Jagir | Django D'costa | ||
| 1985 | Karishma Kudrat Kaa | Zorawar | |
| Yudh | Xaca | ||
| Zabardast | Goon | ||
| Aakhir Kyon? | Goon | ||
| Maha Shaktimaan | Goon | ||
| 1986 | Singhasan | Kaal Bhairav | |
| Manav Hatya | |||
| Chambal Ka Baadshah | Daaku | ||
| Adhikar (1986 film) | Goon | ||
| Avinash | Street Goon | ||
| Bhulekha | As a Moti | In punjabi movie | |
| Raat Ke Baad | Henchman | ||
| 1987 | Naam O Nishan | Raaka | |
| Khudgarz | Giant at Sports Club | ||
| Loha | Henchman | Shera's Man | |
| Hukumat | Goon | ||
| Dak Bangla | Ozo / Mummy | ||
| Diljalaa | Security Guard of girls hostel | ||
| Tera Karam Mera Dharam | Goon | ||
| 1988 | Shahenshah | Mukhtaar Singh | JK's Man |
| Mohabbat Ke Dushman | Contract Killer | ||
| Commando | Henchman | ||
| Maalamaal | Jallad Singh | ||
| Agnee | Chief of the natives | ||
| Bees Saal Baad | Goon | ||
| Pyaar Mohabbat | Street Goon | ||
| Dukh-Dard | Henchman | ||
| Mahabharat | Bhima | TV series | |
| 1989 | Santosh | Kundan's Henchman | |
| Raja Chinna Roja | Eye Patch Henchman | Tamil Film | |
| Mitti Aur Sona | Shingho | ||
| Ilaaka | Prisoner – Nagar's Henchman | ||
| Shehzaade | Street Gambler | ||
| Meri Zabaan | Wrestler | ||
| Lahu Ki Awaz[11] | Killer | ||
| Elaan-E-Jung | Henchman | Kala Naag's Man | |
| 1990 | Atishbaz | Kewal & Shamsher's Goon | |
| Ghayal | Bheem Ji | Guest Role | |
| Aaj Ka Arjun | Henchman | Thakur's Man | |
| Kali Ganga | Hukumchand's Henchman | ||
| Sher Dil | Henchman | Ranjeet's Man | |
| Naaka Bandi | Henchman | ||
| Aag aur Angaray | Street Goon | ||
| Michael Madana Kama Rajan | Bheem | Tamil Film | |
| 1991 | Shankara | Goga | |
| Ajooba | Vazir's Man | ||
| 1992 | Panaah | Bheem | |
| Humlaa | Sher Khan | ||
| Waqt Ka Badshah | Goon | ||
| 1994 | Beta Ho To Aisa | Ranjith | |
| 1994 | Kishkinda Kaanda | Truck Driver | Telugu Film |
| 1996 | Jaan | Goon | |
| Ajay | Tiwari | ||
| 1997 | Suryaputra Shanidev | Hanuman | |
| 1998 | Sham Ghansham | Goon | |
| Train to Pakistan | Goon | ||
| 2013 | Mahabharat Aur Barbareek | Bhima | A Movie directed by Dharmesh Tiwari |
References edit
- ^ a b "Praveen Kumar". sports-reference. Archived from the original on 18 April 2020. Retrieved 19 May 2012.
- ^ "Praveen Kumar Sobti, aka Bheem in BR Chopra's Mahabharat, Passes Away at 74". News18. 8 February 2022. Retrieved 8 February 2022.
- ^ The Tribune, Chandigarh, India – Sports Tribune. Tribuneindia.com (24 May 2003). Retrieved on 30 June 2017.
- ^ a b "Actor Praveen Kumar Sobti, known as Mahabharat's Bheem, dies of heart attack". The Hindustan Times. 7 February 2022. Retrieved 7 February 2022.
- ^ 'Bheem' waiting for a special role. The Hindu (12 January 2009).
- ^ Corporation elections: It's Mahabharat on Delhi streets. Mid-day.com (13 April 2012). Retrieved on 30 June 2017.
- ^ Pushpendra Singh Rajput (4 October 2011) Bhim of Mahabharat Serial Praveen Kumar Reached Mahavir Mandir, Faridabad. faridabadmetro.com
- ^ 'Bheem' is AAP candidate for Wazirpur seat in Delhi poll, PTI New Delhi, 19 September 2013
- ^ "BJP like Pandavas, Opposition Kauravas: "Bheem"". The Hindu. 4 April 2014.
- ^ "Pralaya Rudrudu (1982)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
- ^ "Lahu Ki Awaz". Spicyonion.com. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
External links edit
