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Praveen Kumar Sobti, a former athlete who rose to stardom as Bheem in BR Chopra’s classic TV series Mahabharat, died on Monday night at his Delhi home.

After having a heart attack, the actor passed away. “He had a long-term chest infection. We contacted the doctor at home late at night when he began to feel concerned. He died between 10 and 10.30 p.m. after suffering a cardiac arrest “Praveen’s relative told. His wife, children, two younger brothers, and a sister survive him. He will be cremated today, according to an report, at the crematorium ground in Punjabi Bagh.

Praveen began his career as a discus and hammer thrower, representing India at international competitions such as the Olympics, Asian Games, and Commonwealth Games. He won discus throw gold medals at the Asian Games in 1966 and 1970, as well as a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games in 1966. He was awarded the Arjuna Award for his sporting exploits. In addition, he served as the Deputy Commandant of the Border Security Force (BSF).

He turned to acting after retiring from active sports in his 30s, with a bad role in the Jeetendra-starrer Raksha (1982). He appeared in a number of films during the next decade, including Loha, Ajooba, and Shahenshah. He was usually always casted as the villain’s towering henchman due to his 6-foot-8-inch height and wide body. But it was on television that he rose to prominence. Due to his height and physicality, he was casted as Bheem in BR Chopra’s epic play Mahabharat in 1988. He became a household name as a result of the role.

Praveen continued to perform in films and television shows throughout the 1990s, including a role as Sabu in the 2002 television series Chacha Chaudhary, which starred Raghubir Yadav in the lead role. In the 2013 film Mahabharat Aur Barbareek, he repeated his role as Bheem. It was his final performance as an actor.

Praveen got into politics in 2013, joining the Aam Aadmi Party. He ran for the Wazirpur constituency in the Delhi Legislative Assembly elections that year, but lost. He then became a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party.

The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) expressed shock at the death of former double Asian Games gold medalist Praveen Kumar Sobti on Tuesday, saying that his 11 years of international success will serve as an inspiration for future generations.

With the death of Sobti, Indian athletics has lost a fantastic ambassador and “gentle giant,” according to AFI President Adille Sumariwalla.

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In his condolence letter, Sumariwalla added, “He will be an inspiration for years to come as he is a magnificent example of an athlete who gave his best on the world platform in the 11 years that he competed at the top level.”

Sobti, who was born into a poor family in the village of Sarhali Kalan near Amritsar, dominated the discus and hammer throw events for many years in the 1960s and 1970s, winning medals in three Asian Games, one Commonwealth Games, and competing in two Olympics — the 1968 Mexico editions and the ill-fated 1972 Munich Games — where Israeli athletes were massacred by a Palestinian terrorist group.

Sobti won gold medals in the discus throw at the Asiad in 1966 and 1970. He took bronze in the hammer throw at the Asian Games in 1966 and silver in the same event at the Commonwealth Games the following year. In the 1974 Asian Games, he earned silver in the discus throw.

Praveen Kumar’s ability to raise his game on the greatest platforms is what has made him a top performer,” Sumariwalla added.

“To have accomplished all of this at a time when major competition training involved only brief spells in a National camp tells much about his innate skill and the burning desire to succeed.”

“AFI family is in deep shock on the passing away of Olympian & Asian Games medalist Shri Praveen Kumar Sobti ji, 74,” the AFI stated in a tweet.