New Delhi:BR Chopra’s ‘Mahabharat’ actor Praveen Kumar Sobti has passed away in New Delhi at the age of 72. The actor was also a track and field athlete who won four medals at the Asian Games including two golds in discuss and hammer throw. He had joined the Border Security Force (BSF) at the age of 20. Condoling Sobti’s death, BSF tweeted: “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) and four-time Asian Games medallist (2 gold, 1 silver and 1 bronze). In the Asian Games 1966 in Bangkok, Sobti bagged a gold in discuss throw and a bronze in hammer throw event. In 1970 and 1974 Asian Games, he clinched a gold and a silver respectively. The Sports Authority of India (SAI) said: “We are saddened by the untimely demise of Arjuna Awardee, Olympian and 4-time Asian Games medalist, Praveen Kumar Sobti, a hammer and discus thrower. “Sobti was also known for his role as Bheem in Mahabharat. Our condolences to his family & athletics fraternity” Apart from sports and acting, Sobti also tried his luck in politics. He joined Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in 2013 and had contested the Delhi assembly elections from the Wazirpur constituency, but lost. Praveen Kumar Sobti’s first film role was in 1981 movie Raksha. UNI BAV RNJ
