Pankaj Dheer’s father was making a film, lead actress died mid-shooting, then a promise forced him to face poverty, it is due to…

The sudden demise of veteran actor Pankaj Dheer has left the entire film industry and his millions of fans in deep mourning. Pankaj Dheer, who had been battling cancer, passed away on October 15, 2025, in Mumbai. From playing Karna in Mahabharata to his contributions to numerous memorable films, his work is still remembered. Less well known is that his father, a renowned producer, was also a part of the film industry. The actor’s father had made a promise to actress Geeta Bali, which affected his family emotionally and financially.

The Promise That Changed Everything

Pankaj Dheer’s father, C.L. Dheer, was a renowned filmmaker of his time. In an old interview, Pankaj shared that his family suffered a huge loss after Geeta Bali’s tragic demise in 1965, as his father refused to break a promise he had made to her. At that time, C.L. Dheer was co-producing the film Rano, starring Dharmendra and Geeta Bali. The film was almost complete, with only a few final scenes of Geeta Bali remaining.

Pankaj had said in an interview, “About 6-7 days of work were left. Geeta suggested that the remaining work be completed first and her scenes be shot later, but unfortunately, Geeta Bali contracted smallpox in Punjab.”

Promise Kept, Money Lost

The actress did not recover and died, but before that, C.L. Dheer had promised her that after her death, the film Rano would never be completed or released. Veteran actors like Dilip Kumar and Meena Kumari advised him to break the promise and release the film, but C.L. Dheer postponed it.

Pankaj recalled, “Dilip sahab said that he would come on screen and request the audience to accept Meena Kumari in the role of Geeta amidst this grief. But my father clearly said that the film would only work with Geeta. Because of this, the family suffered huge financial losses and went through difficult times.”

Had to Work as a Child

The financial crisis was so severe that Pankaj began working as a teenager to support his family. This traumatic experience deepened his life but also strengthened his self-confidence and dedication. He carved a niche for himself in the entertainment industry and gradually became one of the most respected actors in television and films.