Born in Sarhali, Punjab, Praveen joined the newly-formed BSF at an early age and rose to the post of deputy commandant. The gentle giant threw the discus 53.24m to finish sixth in that prestigious meet in 1977. Singh remembered how on their way to Dusseldorf to participate in the first World Cup for Athletics via London, Praveen organized facilities for all athletes. Praveen was friendly and helpful in real life too. Teleserial 'Chacha Chaudhary', where he was an amiable alien from Jupiter, further endeared him to kids. Over the years, Praveen was often asked to recite the famous dialogue, “Main Pandu putra Bheem, yeh ghoshna karta hoon…” at gatherings. Bheem, a synonym for strength, became one of the most-loved characters of the serial. At a time when Doordarshan still enjoyed monopoly, the show was watched by everyone who had access to the small screen, at home or in the neighbourhood. He acted in about 50 films, notably "Meri Awaaz Suno', "Khudgarz' and 'Shahenshah'. In the film, Praveen played a desi Jaws ('The Spy Who Loved Me'), a killer man-mountain with metallic teeth. “Introducing Praveen (Olympian)”, the opening credits said. Director Ravi Tandon’s 'Raksha' (1982), a Bond imitation spy thriller, marked the athlete's celluloid debut.
In the past, Hindi film industry had cashed in on the mass appeal of professional wrestler Dara Singh and Asian Games winning wrestler Chandgi Ram casting them in lead roles.
When his stellar athletics career was on the wane in the 1980s, Bollywood stepped in.
Eight years earlier, Milkha Singh had struck gold in 440 yards in Cardiff.
“It was a rare feat those days,” recalled Singh, who was Praveen’s roommate in various competitions. He was the only Indian to win a medal in that edition. At the Jamaica Commonwealth Games in 1966, Praveen clinched silver in hammer throw. “If he had received the kind of training and other facilities available today, an Olympic medal would have been within his grasp,” Olympian and Asian Games gold medalist shot-putter Bahadur Singh told TOI on phone. Built like a fort with an imposing six feet, six inches in height, Praveen Kumar Sobti had the power, coordination and body-size to excel in both discuss and hammer events. “…Can't believe it Pa-ji (elder brother), you will always be in our memories,” tweeted Gajendra Singh Chauhan, who was Yudhishtir in the serial. NEW DELHI: Olympian Praveen Kumar, who hurled his way to two gold medals in discus at the Asian Games and later drew instant recognition nationwide playing Bheem in ' Mahabharat' on television, passed away following a cardiac arrest at his Ashok Vihar residence on Monday night.
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