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.

Praveen Kumar Sobti
Kumar at the 1974 Asian Games
Personal information
Birth namePraveen Kumar Sobti
Born(1947-12-06)6 December 1947
Sarhali, East Punjab, India
Died7 February 2022(2022-02-07) (aged 74)
New Delhi, India
Height6 ft 7 in (201 cm)
Weight270 lb (122 kg)
Sport
SportAthletics
Event(s)Discus throw, Hammer throw
Achievements and titles
Personal best(s)DT – 56.74 m (1973)
HT – 65.76 m (1969)[1]
Medal record
Men's athletics
Representing  India
Asian Games
Gold medal – first place 1966 Bangkok Discus throw
Gold medal – first place 1970 Bangkok Discus throw
Silver medal – second place 1974 Tehran Discus throw
Bronze medal – third place 1966 Bangkok Hammer throw
Asian Championships
Gold medal – first place 1975 Seoul Discus throw
Silver medal – second place 1973 Marikina Discus throw
Commonwealth Games
Silver medal – second place 1966 Kingston Hammer throw

Sports

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Kumar (left) at the 1974 Asian Games

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

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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

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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

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Praveen died from a heart attack in New Delhi on the night of 7 February 2022, at the age of 74.[4]

Filmography

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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

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  1. ^ a b "Praveen Kumar". sports-reference. Archived from the original on 18 April 2020. Retrieved 19 May 2012.
  2. ^ "Praveen Kumar Sobti, aka Bheem in BR Chopra's Mahabharat, Passes Away at 74". News18. 8 February 2022. Retrieved 8 February 2022.
  3. ^ The Tribune, Chandigarh, India – Sports Tribune. Tribuneindia.com (24 May 2003). Retrieved on 30 June 2017.
  4. ^ 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.
  5. ^ 'Bheem' waiting for a special role. The Hindu (12 January 2009).
  6. ^ Corporation elections: It's Mahabharat on Delhi streets. Mid-day.com (13 April 2012). Retrieved on 30 June 2017.
  7. ^ Pushpendra Singh Rajput (4 October 2011) Bhim of Mahabharat Serial Praveen Kumar Reached Mahavir Mandir, Faridabad. faridabadmetro.com
  8. ^ 'Bheem' is AAP candidate for Wazirpur seat in Delhi poll, PTI New Delhi, 19 September 2013
  9. ^ "BJP like Pandavas, Opposition Kauravas: "Bheem"". The Hindu. 4 April 2014.
  10. ^ "Pralaya Rudrudu (1982)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  11. ^ "Lahu Ki Awaz". Spicyonion.com. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
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