वो ओलंपिक खिलाड़ी, जिसने एक्टिंग के मैदान में भी मारी बाजी, बिना ऑडिशन दिए मिला था फेमस रोल

New Delhi: There have been many such artists in the Indian entertainment world, whose journey was no less than a film story. The life of Bhim alias Praveen Kumar Sobti of BR Chopra’s ‘Mahabharata’ was also similar. He was born on 6 December 1947 in Sarhali Kalan village of Tarn Taran district of Punjab. Since childhood, he used to attract everyone’s attention because of his height and strength. He performed so well in sports in school that even his family encouraged him to move ahead. His inclination was towards athletics. At the age of 18, he got a job in the Border Security Force (BSF). While staying here, the officials took notice of his athletic ability and got him trained. After this his real sports journey started.

In the 1960s and 70s, Praveen Kumar was counted among India’s top hammer and discus throw players. He won gold medal in discus throw and bronze medal in hammer throw in the 1966 Asian Games. In the same year, he also won a silver medal in hammer throw in the Commonwealth Games, which till date is considered to be India’s only medal in this event. In the 1970 Asian Games, he once again showed his dominance by winning gold in discus throw. He returned with a silver medal for discus throw in the 1974 Asian Games.

Represented India in the Olympics
Praveen Kumar Sobti represented India in the 1968 Mexico and 1972 Munich Olympics. He was awarded the Arjuna Award in 1967 for his outstanding contribution to sports. This was the same time when he had become the strongest and popular athlete of the country. The journey from sports to acting was completely coincidental. In the last phase of his sports career, a film director, seeing only his height and physique, proposed to cast him in a film. In an interview, Praveen Kumar Sobti himself had told that he got this opportunity suddenly and he accepted it only because he felt that it would keep him in the limelight.

(Photo courtesy: Instagram@praveenkumar.bheem)

Got the role of Bheem without audition
Praveen entered films through the 1982 film ‘Raksha’. During this time, he got the news that BR Chopra is making the TV serial Mahabharata and he is looking for a strong person for the role of Bheem. When Praveen entered the room to meet him, BR Chopra chirped and said – ‘Absolutely perfect! This is our Bheem. After this, Praveen did not even need to give an audition. The role of Bheem in ‘Mahabharata’ made him a household name and Praveen Kumar Sobti became one of the most memorable characters of Indian television. This was the turning point of his life.

Died due to heart attack
Praveen Kumar Sobti played different characters in ‘Meri Awaaz Suno,’ ‘Yuddh,’ ‘Ilaaka,’ ‘Mohabbat Ke Dushman,’ ‘Shahenshah,’ ‘Loha,’ and more than 50 films, but his real popularity came from the character of Bheem in ‘Mahabharat’. His height, strength, heavy voice and simple dialogues made him recognized in every household. After this, he also played the character of children’s favorite ‘Sabu’, which was greatly appreciated by the audience. After acting, he also entered politics. In 2013, he contested the elections from Wazirpur Assembly seat of Delhi on Aam Aadmi Party ticket, although he could not win. Later he joined BJP. In the last years of his life, he was surrounded by serious diseases. With increasing age, his health started deteriorating rapidly. He died of a heart attack on 7 February 2022 at the age of 74. Even though he is no more in this world, his contribution to sports, his brilliant image of Bheem from Mahabharata and his indomitable energy will keep him alive forever.