Praveen Kumar Sobti Explained

Praveen Kumar Sobti
Birth Name:Praveen Kumar Sobti
Birth Date:6 December 1947
Birth Place:Sarhali, East Punjab, India
Death Place:New Delhi, India
Sport:Athletics
Event:Discus throw, Hammer throw
Pb:DT – 56.74 m (1973)
HT – 65.76 m (1969)
Height:6 ft 7 in
Weight:270 lbs
Show-Medals:yes

Praveen Kumar Sobti (6 December 1947  - 7 February 2022)[1] was an Indian hammer and discus thrower, film actor, politician, and soldier with Border Security Force. As a 20 year old he joined then newly raised Border Security Force from where he attracted the attention of his officers through his fine athletic skills and went to represent India at various athletic events in "Discus throw". 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. As an actor, he starred in more than 50 Hindi films and played the famous character of "Bheem" in B.R. Chopra's television series Mahabharat that started in 1988. 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.

Sports

Kumar was a star of Indian athletics in the 1960s and the 1970s.[2] He dominated the Indian hammer and discus throws for several years. He won gold medals in the discus throw at the 1966 and 1970 Asian Games, holding the Asian Games record of 56.76 metres. He was a silver medalist in the 1966 Commonwealth Games in Kingston and in the 1974 Asian Games in Tehran. He competed in the 1968 Summer Olympics and in the 1972 Summer Olympics.[3]

Cinematic journey

Praveen Kumar's debut film was Raksha, a James Bond style Indian movie starring Jeetendra with him playing a large henchman gorilla inspired by Jaws of The Spy Who Loved Me. He did similar role of Justin, a large henchman fighting against Jeetendra in Meri Awaz Suno.

Praveen Kumar earned national acclaim when he played the role "Bheem" in B R Chopra's popular historical and real story based tele serial Mahabharata, making him a household name.[4] Praveen Kumar also played the role of "Saaboo" in Chacha Chaudhary (the TV series) for a large number of episodes.After the Mahabharata serial, Praveen Kumar got many acting roles in Indian films, though he cut down on his acting career, in order to launch his political career in Haryana and Delhi.[5] [6] He also acted in the famous comedy Tamil film Micheal Madana Kama Rajan as a Body Guard.

Praveen Kumar was the actor to take the first blow of one of the most successful and famous punch dialogues of superstar Amitabh Bachchan, "Rishte Mein to Hum Tumhare Baap Hote hain, naam hai Shahenshah!" in Tinnu Anand's blockbuster Shahenshah. Praveen Kumar played the semi-comedic role of the legendary "Mukhtar Singh", a drug dealer who later becomes a dairy owner, upon being beaten up by Shahenshah.

Politics

In 2013 Kumar joined the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).[7] He contested the Delhi assembly elections from the Wazirpur constituency on an AAP ticket, but lost. The next year, he joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).[8]

Death

Praveen died from a heart attack in New Delhi on the night of 7 February 2022, at the age of 74.[9]

Filmography

YearFilmRoleNotes
1981 Raksha Gorilla
Meri Aawaz Suno Justin
1982 Ghazab Henchman
Pralaya Rudrudu[10] BearhugTelugu Film
1983 Humse Na Jeeta Koi Smuggler Lobo
Hum Se Hai Zamana Killer
1984 Lorie Goon
Raaj TilakDaku Lashkar Singh
Hum Hain Lajawab Henchman
Jagir Django D'costa
1985 Karishma Kudrat Kaa Zorawar
Yudh Xaca
Zabardast Goon
Aakhir Kyon? Goon
Maha Shaktimaan Goon
1986 Singhasan Kaal Bhairav
Manav Hatya
Chambal Ka BaadshahDaaku
Adhikar (1986 film) Goon
Avinash Street Goon
Bhulekha As a Moti In punjabi movie
Raat Ke Baad Henchman
1987 Naam O Nishan Raaka
Khudgarz Giant at Sports Club
Loha Henchman Shera's Man
Hukumat Goon
Dak Bangla Ozo / Mummy
Diljalaa Security Guard of girls hostel
Tera Karam Mera DharamGoon
1988 Shahenshah Mukhtaar Singh JK's Man
Mohabbat Ke Dushman Contract Killer
Commando Henchman
Maalamaal Jallad Singh
Agnee Chief of the natives
Bees Saal Baad Goon
Pyaar Mohabbat Street Goon
Dukh-Dard Henchman
Mahabharat TV series
1989 Santosh Kundan's Henchman
Raja Chinna Roja Eye Patch Henchman Tamil Film
Mitti Aur Sona Shingho
Ilaaka Prisoner – Nagar's Henchman
Shehzaade Street Gambler
Meri Zabaan Wrestler
Lahu Ki Awaz[11] Killer
Elaan-E-Jung Henchman Kala Naag's Man
1990 Atishbaz Kewal & Shamsher's Goon
Ghayal Bheem Ji Guest Role
Aaj Ka Arjun Henchman Thakur's Man
Kali Ganga Hukumchand's Henchman
Sher Dil Henchman Ranjeet's Man
Naaka Bandi Henchman
Aag aur Angaray Street Goon
Michael Madana Kama Rajan Bheem Tamil Film
1991 Shankara Goga
Ajooba Vazir's Man
1992 Panaah Bheem
Humlaa Sher Khan
Waqt Ka Badshah Goon
1994 Beta Ho To Aisa Ranjith
1994 Kishkinda Kaanda Truck Driver Telugu Film
1996 Jaan Goon
Ajay Tiwari
1997 Suryaputra Shanidev
1998 Sham GhanshamGoon
Train to Pakistan Goon
2013 Mahabharat Aur Barbareek A Movie directed by Dharmesh Tiwari

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2022-02-08. Praveen Kumar Sobti, aka Bheem in BR Chopra's Mahabharat, Passes Away at 74. 2022-02-08. News18. en.
  2. http://www.tribuneindia.com/2003/20030524/spr-trib.htm The Tribune, Chandigarh, India – Sports Tribune
  3. Web site: Praveen Kumar . https://web.archive.org/web/20200418082435/https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/ku/praveen-kumar-1.html . dead . 18 April 2020 . sports-reference. 19 May 2012.
  4. http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-newdelhi/article372906.ece 'Bheem' waiting for a special role
  5. http://www.mid-day.com/news/2012/apr/130412-Its-mahabharat-on-Delhi-streets.htm Corporation elections: It's Mahabharat on Delhi streets
  6. Pushpendra Singh Rajput (4 October 2011) Bhim of Mahabharat Serial Praveen Kumar Reached Mahavir Mandir, Faridabad. faridabadmetro.com
  7. http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/aap-aam-aadmi-party-bheem-mahabharatm-delhi-assembly-electons-praveen-kumar/1/310575.html 'Bheem' is AAP candidate for Wazirpur seat in Delhi poll
  8. News: BJP like Pandavas, Opposition Kauravas: "Bheem" . 4 April 2014 . The Hindu .
  9. Web site: Actor Praveen Kumar Sobti, known as Mahabharat's Bheem, dies of heart attack. The Hindustan Times. 7 February 2022. 7 February 2022.
  10. Web site: Pralaya Rudrudu (1982) . 2024-01-27 . Indiancine.ma.
  11. Web site: Lahu Ki Awaz . 2024-01-28 . Spicyonion.com . en.