New Delhi: Veteran actor Praveen Kumar Sobti, who became a household name after playing the role of Bheem in BR Chopra’s Mahabharat,  died of heart attack in Delhi on Tuesday. He was 74.  

He will be cremated at the crematorium ground in Punjabi Bagh today, according to news agency ANI. 

Praveen Kumar Sobti donned many roles before he became an actor. He was a hammer and discus thrower and former Deputy Commandant of Border Security Force (BSF). 

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. 

Also, he featured in more than 50 Hindi films.  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.

Director General & All Ranks of BSF condoled the death of Praveen Kumar Sobti. 

"Director General & All Ranks of BSF condole the untimely demise of Sh Praveen Kumar Sobti, former Deputy Commandant, Arjuna Awardee, two-time Olympian (1968 Mexico Games and 1972 Munich Games) & four-time Asian Games medallist (2 gold, 1 silver and 1 bronze)."

Director General & All Ranks of BSF condole the untimely demise of Sh Praveen Kumar Sobti, former Deputy Commandant, Arjuna Awardee, two-time Olympian (1968 Mexico Games and 1972 Munich Games) & four-time Asian Games medallist (2 gold, 1 silver and 1 bronze).#JaiHind#RIP pic.twitter.com/NPsqCjhou7

— BSF (@BSF_India) February 8, 2022