Pankaj Dheer made India’s first adult film, featured two people in bold scenes, received an A certificate from censor board…

Before rising to fame as Karna in the epic series Mahabharat, a well-known actor once explored a bold and unconventional path in his career.

Published: October 15, 2025 9:26 PM IST

It is a little known side of Late Pankaj Dheer’s career that few in the mainstream remember. While he was widely celebrated for playing Karna in B.R. Chopra’s Mahabharat, there was another controversial chapter in his life that’s resurfacing now. Many would be surprised to learn that Dheer, primarily known as an actor, once ventured behind the camera and directed a film that stirred controversy and discussion.

Which film was this?

In the early 1980s, Dheer directed what is often cited as India’s first adult‑certified film. The movie, titled Bombay Fantasy, released on January 1, 1983, became famous (or infamous) for pushing boundaries at a time when such content was almost unheard of in Indian cinema. The film was produced by actor-director Mazhar Khan and featured Vibhushan Singh Paul (also known as Neel Kumar) in the lead role. What made the film stand out was a bold scene in which two couples are shown romantically intertwined in the same frame, a portrayal that was rare, if not unprecedented, in Indian films at that time.

CBFC’s take on Bombay Fantasy

Due to that daring depiction, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) gave it an adult certificate, effectively branding it as suitable only for mature audiences. The film’s bedroom sequences were shot in a controlled environment, specifically in a locked hotel room in Mumbai’s Sun & Sand Hotel. Impressively, the camera crew was brought in from British Columbia, Canada, to shoot the more sensitive parts of the film.

Despite the controversy, Bombay Fantasy remains a curious footnote in Indian cinematic history. The film ended up being one of the most talked‑about projects of its era precisely because of its adult theme and its bold depiction of intimacy. Apart from Vibhushan Singh Paul, the film also featured Zalim Khan, Shabana Murti, and Pavitra Rani in crucial roles.

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Story Highlights

1. Late Pankaj Dheer, best known as Karna from Mahabharat, directed an adult-certified film early in his career.
2. The film, Bombay Fantasy (1983), was known for its bold scenes involving two couples shown in a single frame.
3. CBFC gave it an “A” certificate due to its daring depiction of intimacy, shot under strict supervision in a Mumbai hotel.
4. The cast included Vibhushan Singh Paul, Zalim Khan, Shabana Murti, and Pavitra Rani, the film became a hot topic for its bold content.

Before Pankaj Dheer became a household name as Karna, he took a bold leap as a director with Bombay Fantasy, a film that challenged the boundaries of Indian cinema in the early ’80s.