Praveen Kumar Sobti

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.

Not to be confused with Praveen Kumar (Para athlete).
For other individuals with the same name, see Praveen Kumar (disambiguation).

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
Representing  India
Asian Games
Gold medal – first place1966 BangkokDiscus throw
Bronze medal – third place1966 BangkokHammer throw
Gold medal – first place1970 BangkokDiscus throw
Silver medal – second place1974 TehranDiscus throw
Commonwealth Games
Silver medal – second place1966 KingstonHammer throw

Sports
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

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

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

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

Filmography
Year Film Role Notes
1981RakshaGorilla
Meri Aawaz SunoJustin
1982GhazabHenchman
1983Humse Na Jeeta KoiSmuggler Lobo
Hum Se Hai ZamanaKiller
1984LorieGoon
Raaj Tilak Daku Lashkar Singh
Hum Hain LajawabHenchman
JagirDjango D'costa
1985Karishma Kudrat KaaZorawar
YudhXaca
ZabardastGoon
Aakhir Kyon?Goon
Maha ShaktimaanGoon
1986SinghasanKaal Bhairav
Manav Hatya
Chambal Ka BaadshahDaaku
Adhikar (1986 film)Goon
AvinashStreet Goon
BhulekhaAs a MotiIn punjabi movie
Raat Ke Baad Henchman
1987Naam O NishanRaaka
KhudgarzGiant at Sports Club
LohaHenchmanShera's Man
HukumatGoon
Dak BanglaOzo / Mummy
DiljalaaSecurity Guard of girls hostel
Tera Karam Mera DharamGoon
1988ShahenshahMukhtaar SinghJK's Man
Mohabbat Ke DushmanContract Killer
CommandoHenchman
MaalamaalJallad Singh
AgneeChief of the natives
Bees Saal BaadGoon
Pyaar MohabbatStreet Goon
Dukh-DardHenchman
MahabharatBhimaTV series
1989SantoshKundan's Henchman
Mitti Aur SonaShingho
IlaakaPrisoner – Nagar's Henchman
ShehzaadeStreet Gambler
Meri ZabaanWrestler
Elaan-E-JungHenchmanKala Naag's Man
Lahu Ki AwazKiller
1990AtishbazKewal & Shamsher's Goon
GhayalBheem JiGuest Role
Aaj Ka ArjunHenchmanThakur's Man
Kali GangaHukumchand's Henchman
Sher DilHenchmanRanjeet's Man
Naaka BandiHenchman
Aag aur AngarayStreet Goon
Michael Madana Kama RajanBheemTamil Film
1991ShankaraGoga
AjoobaVazir's Man
1992PanaahBheem
HumlaaSher Khan
Waqt Ka BadshahGoon
1994Beta Ho To AisaRanjith
1994Kishkinda KaandaTruck DriverTelugu Film
1996JaanGoon
AjayTiwari
1997Suryaputra ShanidevHanuman
1998Sham GhanshamGoon
Train to PakistanGoon
2013Mahabharat Aur BarbareekBhimaA Movie directed by Dharmesh Tiwari

References
  1. "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. "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.
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