Praneet Bhat (born 26 September 1980 in Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir) is an Indian television actor, model, and former software engineer. A Kashmiri Pandit, he completed his engineering degree and then worked at Wipro for several years before deciding to pursue modelling and acting, relocating to Mumbai in 2002 at the age of 22. He began his television career in 2004, appearing in multiple shows including Kitni Mast Hai Zindagi, Hotel Kingston, Ssshhhh…Phir Koi Hai, and Kaajjal before his breakthrough role as the romantic lead Aditya in Geet – Hui Sabse Parayi (Star Plus, 2010–2011). His career-defining role came as the scheming, limping Shakuni Mama in the landmark Star Plus production Mahabharat (2013–2014, dir. Siddharth Kumar Tewary), earning him worldwide recognition among Indian diaspora audiences. He subsequently appeared in Rishton Ka Chakravyuh (Star Plus, 2017) and Naagin 4. He married stylist Kanchan Sharma in Lucknow on 4 November 2015. In September 2014, he entered Bigg Boss Season 8 as one of the original contestants. He was part of the notorious P3G alliance (Puneet, Pritam, Praneet, Gautam). He was evicted in Week 13 (Day 90), finishing 9th overall.
Iconic role as Shakuni Mama in Star Plus mega-serial Mahabharat (2013–2014, dir. Siddharth Kumar Tewary); role as Aditya in Geet – Hui Sabse Parayi (Star Plus, 2010–2011); role as Raghav in Rishton Ka Chakravyuh (Star Plus, 2017); member of the 'P3G' alliance inside Bigg Boss 8.