Praveen Kumar Sobti (English: Praveen Kumar Sobti, born- 6 December, 1947; died- 7 February, 2022) was an Indian film and small screen actor. He got B. R. Chopra gained fame for playing the character of Bheem in the famous TV serial ‘Mahabharata’. Apart from acting, Praveen Kumar also participated in sports in his career. He was also an athlete. He represented India in the Olympics twice. He won many gold and silver medals for the country in the Asian and Commonwealth Games. He was awarded the ‘Arjuna Award’ in the year 1967 for his contribution towards sports.
Praveen Kumar was known for his huge height. He also played the role of villain in many Bollywood films. 6 and a half feet tall actor and player Praveen Kumar was a resident of Punjab. Before turning to acting, he was a hammer and discus throw athlete. He had won four medals (2 gold, 1 silver and 1 bronze) in the Asian Games. He also represented India in two Olympic Games (1968 Mexico Games and 1972 Munich Games). He was also an Arjun Awardee. It was because of sports that Praveen Kumar got the job of Deputy Commandant in ‘Border Security Force’.
After a successful career in track and field sports, Praveen Kumar entered the world of entertainment in the late 70s. In an interview given to Times of India, Praveen Kumar, while remembering the signing of his first Bollywood film, had said that he was in Kashmir for a tournament. His first role was under the direction of Ravikant Nagaich in which he had no dialogues.
Later, Praveen Kumar played an important role in the film ‘Raksha’ in the year 1981. His most memorable appearance in Bollywood was as ‘Mukhtar Singh’ in Amitabh Bachchan’s ‘Shahenshah’. In the filmography of Praveen Kumar, he has been a part of many films like ‘Karishma Kudrat Ka’, ‘Yuddh’, ‘Jabardasth’, ‘Sinhasan’, ‘Khudgarj’, ‘Loha’, ‘Mohabbat Ke Dushman’, ‘Ilaaka’ and others. In the late 80’s he got B. R. Signed to play the role of Bheem in Chopra’s ‘Mahabharata’. This character remained very important in the minds of the audience.
The last film of actor Praveen Kumar, who has worked in more than 50 films, was released in the year 2013. The name of the film was ‘Mahabharata Aur Barbar’. Praveen Kumar Sobti played the role of Bheem here. After this, Praveen Kumar left acting and entered politics. He had contested the elections from Wazirpur, Delhi on Aam Aadmi Party ticket. But could not win. After some time he left AAP and joined BJP.
Praveen Kumar died on February 7, 2022. Actor Praveen Kumar Sobti, who played the role of Bheem, breathed his last at the age of 74. According to the information, he was suffering from illness and financial crisis for a long time.
