When Pankaj Dheer revealed how Irrfan Khan waited for his dialogues in Chandrakanta: "Wo mujhe kehte tha dekho 8 din se...."

When Pankaj Dheer revealed how Irrfan Khan waited for his dialogues in Chandrakanta: "Wo mujhe kehte tha dekho 8 din se...."

Veteran actor Pankaj Dheer passed away on October 15, 2025, at the age of 68 after battling cancer. His passing has left the film and television industry mourning the loss of a dignified artist and mentor. As tributes continue to pour in, an old story from his career has resurfaced, a warm recollection of his time working with the late Irrfan Khan during the early days of Chandrakanta.

In that throwback, Pankaj Dheer fondly remembered late actor Irrfan Khan’s dedication, humility, and the quiet hunger that later defined his extraordinary journey.

Actor Pankaj Dheer, best known for his unforgettable portrayal of Karna in BR Chopra’s Mahabharat, once shared a touching memory of working with the late Irrfan Khan during the early days of their television careers.

The two actors appeared together in Chandrakanta, the popular fantasy series of the 1990s, long before Irrfan became one of India’s most internationally recognized actors.

Pankaj remembered how Irrfan’s talent was evident even when he wasn’t given much to do. “Irrfan Khan wouldn’t get dialogues for eight days straight during the shoot of Chandrakanta,” he said, recalling the actor’s quiet frustration.

“He would tap on my shoulder and say, ‘Pankaj bhai dekho, 8 din ho gaye maine ek word takk nahi kaha hai, it’s been eight days I haven’t said a word, please let’s have a conversation.’”

Pankaj Dheer added that he often improvised small exchanges with Irrfan on set just to lift his spirits. “So, I would say my dialogues in the question-answer format with him,” he said with a smile. “He just wanted to speak, to act that hunger was always there.”

Also Read: Who was Pankaj Dheer? The man behind Mahabharat’s legendary Karna and Bollywood’s classic villain

While Chandrakanta was one of the many television shows where Irrfan appeared in minor roles, it became one of the stepping stones that led him towards a remarkable career in cinema.

Over time, Irrfan broke through the barriers of typecasting and rose to become one of India’s most respected performers. From Maqbool and The Namesake to Life of Pi and The Lunchbox, his work became synonymous with honesty, subtlety, and emotional depth.

Reflecting on his colleague’s rise, Pankaj Dheer had said it was a mix of timing, opportunity, and destiny.

“It was his luck, and it’s all about one right film, right release, and the right moment. These are very important in every actor’s life,” he observed.

Today, that small memory from Chandrakanta reads like a quiet prophecy, a reminder that greatness often begins in silence. Irrfan’s eight days without dialogue would eventually give way to decades of unforgettable words, delivered with a truth that continues to echo far beyond his time.

Irrfan Khan passed away on April 29, 2020, at the age of 53, after a long battle with a neuroendocrine tumour. His death left a void in global cinema.