Praveen Kumar Sobti was a former Olympian, politician, and actor who acted in more than 70 films. Born in Sarhali Karan, Punjab in 1947, the athlete turned actor stood at 6 feet 6 inches tall and was most remembered for playing the famous character of ‘Bheem’ in B.R. Chopra's TV serial Mahabharat in 1988. After representing India in the Asian Games as well as the summer Olympics he turned to act in Bollywood films in the 70s where he appeared in cameos playing the villain's sidekick. His fight scene with Amitabh Bachchan in the film Shahenshah (1988) remains one of his most memorable performances beside movies like Raksha (1981), Meri Aawaz Suno (1981), Jagir (1984), Raaj Tilak (1984), Yudh (1985), Naam-O-Nishan (1987), Hukumat (1987), Loha (1987), Elaan-E-Jung (1989), Ghayal (1990), etc. He joined the Aam Aadmi Party and thereafter the Bharatiya Janata Party in 2014. He died of a heart attack at the age of 74 at his New Delhi residence on 7 February 2022.