Mahabharat's Bheem aka Praveen Kumar Sobti passes away at 74

Veteran actor-athlete turned politician Praveen Kumar Sobti who essayed the role of 'Bheem' in BR Chopra's 'Mahabharata' has passed away at the age of 74.

Actor-athlete Praveen Kumar Sobti, who became a household name after portraying the role of Bheem in the TV series

Reportedly, the actor breathed his last at his Ashok Vihar residence in New Delhi. Credit: ANI Photo

Apart from a stellar career in showbiz, Praveen was an ace athlete and had brought glory to the country by winning several medals.

At the age of 20 Sobti had joined the Border Security Force (BSF), where his athletic skills were first noticed. Credit: Twitter/@BSFIndia

After that he 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. Credit: Twitter/@BSFIndia

Sobti is a two-time Olympian (1968 Mexico Games and 1972 Munich Games) and four-time Asian Games medallist (2 gold, 1 silver and 1 bronze). This tall and big athlete was a pro at hammer and discus throwing. Credit: Twitter/@BSFIndia

The athlete gained further popularity after he started acting and bagged the role of Bheem in BR Chopra's classic

As an actor, Sobti featured in supporting parts in close to 50 movies like “Michael Madana Kamarajan”,

In 2013, Sobti took the political plunge and joined the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). He contested the Delhi assembly elections where he lost to BJP's Mahender Nagpal. After that, he joined the BJP in 2014. Credit: Twitter/@HarshMehtaBJP

Here's a rare black-and-white photograph of Praveen Kumar Sobti. Credit: Twitter/@LokSabhaSectt

Praveen Kumar is survived by his wife, a daughter. Credit: Twitter/Cinemaaajkalsa