Praveen Kumar Sobti is an Indian actor, politician, and hammer and discus thrower. He is famous for playing the role of ‘Bheem’ in the epic Indian television series “Mahabharat” (1988). He died in February 2022 after he suffered a heart attack.
Wiki/Biography
Praveen Kumar was born on Saturday, December 6, 1947 (age 74 years; at death) in Sarhali Kalan, Punjab. His zodiac sign is Sagittarius. He attended a government school in Sarhali Kalan. While at school, he started participating in inter-school games. When his sports teacher realized his strength in sports, he started sending him to zonal and state level sports events. He was so good at sports that his name came up for the Discus Throw in the 1966 Commonwealth Games.
Praveen Kumar in his youth
Physical appearance
Height (approx): 6′ 6″
Hair Color: Gray
Eye Color: Brown
Family & Caste
Praveen Kumar Sobti belongs to a Hindu Family. He has 4 brothers and 1 sister. He was married at the time of his death. His son is an employee at Jet Airways India. Her daughter, Nipunika Sobti, was once engaged to Akshay Kumar.
Sports Career
Praveen started his career as an Indian batsman and discus thrower in the 1960s. Being tall, he dominated the game for several years. In 1966, he won the gold medal at the Asian Games. In the same year, he won a silver medal in the Commonwealth Games in Kingston. Kumar again bagged a gold medal in the 1970 Asian Games and a silver medal in the 1974 Asian Games in Tehran. He also holds the record of 56.76 meters in the Asian Games. He competed in the Summer Olympics twice, first in 1968 and then in 1972.
Praveen Kumar with his gold medal at the 1966 Asian Games
Film and Television Career
Praveen made his film debut in 1981 with the Bollywood film “Raksha” in which he played the role of ‘Gorilla’ (a big follower, inspired by Jaws of The Spy Who Loved Me). He did the same role in the movie “Meri Awaz Suno.” In 1988, he gained immense popularity by playing the role of “Bhim” in BR Chopra’s popular TV series “Mahabharat.” Next, he played the role of ‘Saaboo’ in the TV series “Chacha Chaudhary.” Later, she appeared in many Hindi and regional films such as “Lorie,” “Hum Hain Lajawab,” “Zabardast,” “Adhikar,” “Raat Ke Baad,” “Tera Karam Mera Dharam” and “Aaj Ka Arjun.”
Praveen Kumar as Bheem in Mahabharat
Political career
Kumar started his political career in 2013 by joining the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). In the same year, he contested the Delhi assembly election from Wazirpur constituency, but lost.
Praveen Kumar as AAP member
After that, he left AAP and joined Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 2014.
Praveen Kumar as a BJP member
Favourite
- Food: Mutton, Chicken, Fried Fish
Death
On 7 February 2022, he died of a heart attack at his Ashok Vihar residence in New Delhi. Reportedly, the actor suffered from a chronic chest infection.
Facts/Trivia
- He likes watching movies and traveling.
- He follows a non-vegetarian diet.
- Praveen is an ex-jawan registered under the Border Security Force. He bagged the post of ‘Deputy Commandant’ in the BSF on the basis of his excellence in sports.
- Kumar was among the 12 BSF soldiers, who received the Arjuna Award from the Government of India.
Praveen Kumar received the Arjuna Award in 1967
- He was introduced to the BSF by Ashwani Kumar, India’s representative to the International Olympic Council in 1973.
- In 2009, during an interview with The Hindu, Praveen recalled his days as an athlete. While comparing it with the current scenario, he said,
I want my parents to be proud of my achievements and represent the country in hammer and discus in Asian Games and Olympics. I won the discus gold medal in the 1966 and 1970 Asian Games. I won the silver medal in the 1974 Asian Games in Teheran.”
He further added,
There was so much bonhomie and no terrorist threats. However, all that changed in the Munich Olympics in 1972. I clearly remember going to the dining room to eat breakfast when I heard several gunshots. Then my coach told me that some terrorists had sneaked in.”
- Praveen shared in an interview that he used to wake up at 3 am in his teenage years and train his body by lifting the mill ingots that his mother used to grind grain. At that time, there was no gym in his area.
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Praveen Kumar is the actor who took the first shot of one of the most successful and famous punch lines of Bollywood star Amitabh Bachchan, “Rishte Mein to Hum Tumhare Baap Hote hain, naam hai Shahenshah!” from the movie ‘Shahenshah.’
Categories: Biography
Source: SCHOOL TRANG DAI
