The air was thick with grief, the silence almost unbearable. On a quiet Mumbai afternoon, Bollywood came together to bid farewell to one of its most respected veterans — Pankaj Dheer, the man who once breathed immortal life into Karna from Mahabharat. But amidst the sea of sorrow, one sight left everyone speechless: Salman Khan, tears streaming down his face, struggling to contain his emotions.

This wasn’t just another funeral. It was the end of an era — and the beginning of an ache that the industry won’t forget soon.

As news of Pankaj Dheer’s passing spread, the entire film fraternity was thrown into mourning. Actors, directors, technicians — people who had once worked beside him — rushed to pay their final respects. But when Salman Khan arrived, everything changed. The superstar, known for his stoic presence and larger-than-life image, broke down like a child.

Eyewitnesses recall that Salman stood by the pyre, his head bowed, whispering a silent prayer before collapsing into tears. “He couldn’t hold it in,” said one crew member who was present. “He kept repeating, ‘He was more than family.’”

For Salman Khan, this loss hit deeply personal chords. Pankaj Dheer wasn’t just a senior actor — he was a mentor, a guide, and a quiet force who had supported him during his early days in the industry. Their bond, forged decades ago on set, grew stronger with time.

A close friend of both shared, “Pankaj ji was one of the few people Salman truly respected beyond the screen. They shared a deep connection of faith and loyalty.”

At the cremation ground, the energy was somber. Floral wreaths surrounded the body. The scent of sandalwood filled the air. And amidst the murmurs, people could only hear one thing — the muffled sobs of Salman Khan.

He stood beside Nikitin Dheer, Pankaj’s son, holding his hand tightly. The two embraced silently — one grieving a father, the other a friend. Cameras clicked in the distance, but Salman ignored them. His focus was fixed on the pyre, as if refusing to accept that the man who once called him “beta” was truly gone.

This was not the superstar on screen — this was Salman the human being, stripped of glamour, touched by loss.

As the rituals began, several celebrities gathered to offer their last respects. Dharmendra, Jackie Shroff, Sunny Deol, and Ajay Devgn stood silently, eyes moist. Even younger stars, like Kartik Aaryan and Tiger Shroff, attended to honor the man who shaped the acting world they inherited.

The priests began chanting mantras, the sound echoing softly under the clear October sky. When the time came for the final rites, Salman Khan stepped forward, trembling slightly. He picked up the earthen pot used for the ritual and placed it near the pyre, his face pale, his lips trembling.

For a moment, the world seemed to pause.

It wasn’t just the death of a senior actor — it was the passing of wisdom, friendship, and a pillar of Bollywood’s golden era.

As flames began to rise, Salman’s tears returned. He covered his face, trying to stay composed, but emotion overwhelmed him. His bodyguards gently stepped back, allowing him space to grieve privately.

Those standing nearby said that Salman stayed long after the crowd had left, watching the last embers fade into ash. “He didn’t speak much,” said one bystander. “He just stood there… staring, lost in thought.”

Later that evening, Salman was seen leaving the cremation ground quietly, avoiding cameras. He sat in his car, eyes red, head resting on his hand. Fans outside shouted his name, but he didn’t respond. The man who had made millions laugh and cheer was now broken in silence.

Social media soon flooded with pictures from the funeral — images of Salman’s tearful face, Nikitin holding his father’s portrait, and garlands covering Pankaj Dheer’s final resting place. Fans from across India began posting tributes, calling it one of the most emotional Bollywood moments of the year.

One user wrote, “If Salman Khan cries, the whole nation feels it. This is not just grief — it’s love.”

Another posted, “Legends don’t die, they leave behind stories that never fade.”

For those who knew Pankaj Dheer personally, he wasn’t just an actor — he was a gentleman in every sense. Known for his calm demeanor, his humility, and his discipline, he had become a father figure to many younger stars.

During a 2018 interview, Salman had once said, “There are few people in the industry who carry real dignity — Pankaj Dheer is one of them.” Those words, now resurfacing online, feel hauntingly prophetic.

Inside the Dheer household, the atmosphere was heavy with emotion. Kratika Sengar, Nikitin’s wife, was seen comforting family members. A small prayer ceremony was held at their home in Lokhandwala later that night. Friends described it as both peaceful and heartbreaking.

According to sources, Salman Khan visited the Dheer residence again later that evening — privately, without any media attention. He sat beside the family, offering comfort. “He didn’t talk much,” said a family member. “He just sat there, holding Nikitin’s shoulder. That silence said everything.”

The friendship between Salman and Pankaj Dheer went back decades, to the early ’90s. The two met on the sets of Karan Arjun, where Dheer had a small role, and instantly bonded over their shared love of cinema and philosophy. Over the years, their bond deepened. Pankaj Dheer often attended private Khan family functions, and Salman, in turn, respected him deeply.

As the news of his death broke, Salman reportedly cancelled his evening shoot and rushed to the hospital. Unfortunately, he couldn’t see him one last time. “He was shattered,” revealed a crew member. “He kept saying, ‘I should’ve gone sooner.’”

Bollywood insiders say that Salman Khan has already pledged financial support for the Pankaj Dheer Foundation for Theatre Arts, a trust rumored to be created in the late actor’s name. The foundation is expected to help struggling actors and technicians — a cause close to Dheer’s heart.

Salman’s gesture has moved fans deeply. For many, it’s proof of his loyalty — that behind the tough exterior, the superstar carries a heart that feels deeply.

Later that night, Salman’s official fan pages began trending with the hashtag #SalmanForPankajDheer, filled with messages of support, prayer, and sorrow.

Film critic Komal Nahta tweeted: “Salman Khan crying at Pankaj Dheer’s funeral is not just a moment — it’s the raw truth of what Bollywood friendship really means.”

Indeed, for a man who rarely shows vulnerability, this moment revealed something profoundly human.

At the heart of it, Pankaj Dheer’s farewell wasn’t just about mourning — it was about gratitude.

Every actor who walked out of that cremation ground carried the same thought: they weren’t just saying goodbye to a colleague, but to an era of respect and integrity.

As dawn broke the next day, the Dheer residence continued to see visitors. Flower arrangements from across the industry kept arriving. Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, and Aamir Khan reportedly sent private messages of condolence.

Among the many garlands, one small note stood out. It was handwritten and signed by Salman Khan. It read:

“You lived like a warrior, you left like a legend. I’ll miss your laughter, Pankaj sir. Rest easy.”

That note, shared later by a family friend, perfectly summed up the emotions of millions.

Because beyond fame, awards, and film reels, what truly matters are the bonds we build — and the hearts we touch.

Pankaj Dheer may have left the world, but in that moment when Salman Khan wept, the entire country wept with him.

The sight of a superstar broken by loss reminded everyone that beneath the glamour, Bollywood is still a family — bound by love, laughter, and memories.

And perhaps that’s what Pankaj Dheer would have wanted — not tears of sorrow, but tears of remembrance.

In the flicker of the funeral pyre, one legacy ended, and another began — a legacy of compassion that will burn forever in the hearts of those who loved him.