Kheerat Panesar
Kheerat Panesar is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Jaz Deol. Kheerat was introduced alongside brothers Jags, and Vinny Panesar in episode 6001, broadcast on 4 October 2019, with the trio becoming the soap's first Punjabi Sikh family. Kheerat's arrival was announced on 21 August 2019, billed as the dominant and successful leader of his brothers. Deol accepted the role after being impressed by what was pitched to him by the producers, and being excited to be a part of the show's first Punjabi Sikh family.
Kheerat's storylines in the serial have included the expansion of his family, helping to bring justice to Gray Atkins with help from Whitney Dean, his friendship with Ben Mitchell, his romances and flings with several female characters including Chantelle Atkins, Sharon Watts, and Stacey Slater, and falsely confessing to the murder of Ranveer Gulati to save his mother, Suki Panesar, from arrest. In November 2022, Deol departed from the show as he wanted to pursue other projects. Deol received various awards and nominations for his portrayal, despite the character's departure being poorly received by audiences.
Development
Casting and introduction
Actor Jaz Deol was cast as Kheerat. On 21 August 2019, it was announced that three new characters would be introduced to the soap in the near future: Kheerat, and his brothers Jags and Vinny Panesar, dubbed "the Panesar brothers". The trio, who were the show's first ever Punjabi Sikh family, were billed by show bosses as being "charming by nature but still a force to be reckoned with" and would bring "their own unique blend of charm and chaos" to Walford. Executive producer Jon Sen expressed enthusiasm to introduce the brothers and explore their upcoming storylines. Deol was enticed to accept the role after being impressed by what producers pitched to him, and being excited to be a part of the show's first Punjabi Sikh family, describing his role as "revolutionary". He was pleased to gain the part: "I'm very proud and excited to be joining such an iconic show and bringing to life a character that is a reflection of the cultural background that I and many others come from in today's modern Britain. I can't wait to get started and for viewers to meet the Panesars". The actor was interested to wear a turban for the role, as he doesn't wear one himself, seeing it as an opportunity for representation. The brothers were set to make their debut later in 2019.Later details surrounding their arrival were teased by Sen, who revealed that the brothers would "turn up" on an unknown "mission". He added that there would be a feud with another family "pretty much as soon as they arrive". The feud was later revealed to be with Ben Mitchell, who Kheerat and Jags would arrive and threaten for stealing Kheerat's car. Ahead of the arrival, Sen further explained that EastEnders "is a show that prides itself on diversity" and "representing modern London and modern Britain", so the team were interested in "finding a way of telling stories from the Sikh community". He added: "They arrive with a little bit of a bang" and were teased to have "quite the impact". Deol teased that Kheerat would be "coming to mean business". Kheerat and Jags made their first appearance in episode 6001, broadcast 4 October 2019.
The brothers were announced to return later in October, with reasons why being hidden, but it was teased that Kheerat would feud with Iqra Ahmed and Ash Kaur. In a twist, it was revealed that the brothers had returned to find Ash, who was also their estranged sister.
Characterisation
Upon their introduction, it is established that Kheerat, who is age 31, is the oldest of his siblings and a "flashy" and "successful businessman", which creates envy from his brother Jags. He often has to "keep his little brothers out of trouble", but can "charm his way into anything". It was suggested that the trio were "led" by Kheerat. They were teased to have a "strong dynamic with each other", with their relationships being hinged on "a lot of mischief and just a hint of jealousy". Sen billed them as "loveable rogues" and "wheeler dealers" over being hardened criminals, and teased the brothers bringing "a completely different tone and flavour" to the serial and being prone to "ruffle feathers". Kheerat has been described as "controlling", "alpha male", "logical", and "opportunistic". Deol noted that despite Kheerat being a reasonable person, he faces inner demons. When Kheerat's personality began to undergo changes, Deol praised the decision as it allowed for Kheerat's "complicated and conflicted nature" to be shown. He added that Kheerat is "a man with a huge capacity to love his family and significant other but also a well of darkness that he can reveal at a drop of a hat" and that since his father was imprisones, Kheerat has been "someone who searches for the opportunity in everything".Notable relationships
Suki Panesar
In December 2019, it was announced that Kheerat's mother Suki Panesar would be introduced in early 2020. Executive producer Jon Sen commented that Kheerat and his siblings had "lived under the shadow of an overbearing matriarch" and teased that while the brothers "arrived as men", Suki's introduction would show that they were "little boys who need their mum". Sopal described her character's [|relationship] to her sons as being "very good", wanting to keep her children "close". Stephen Patterson of the Metro noted parallels in Kheerat and Suki's behaviour, wondering if Kheerat had inherited his mother's "controlling nature". After Suki began doing business with Stan "Stas" Saunders, despite previously endangering Kheerat's life, Deol explained that Kheerat would put on a "deep and cold rage" to mask his "hurt" from the betrayal. He described it as "definitely a turning point in their relationship", and teased that Suki would not approve of upcoming Kheerat's relationship with Sharon Watts.Chantelle and Gray Atkins
In September 2020, it had been announced that Chantelle Atkins would try to escape her abusive marriage to Gray Atkins, turning to Kheerat for help. When asked about how Chantelle felt for Kheerat, Plummer explained that her character "sees him as somebody she trusts more than a lot of people" and "feels safe with him", noting that Chantelle had begun developing an attraction to Kheerat. Deol disclosed the hopes that Kheerat had for him and Chantelle, detailing that Kheerat was "ready to leave and start a new life with her and kids". After Chantelle was eventually killed by Gray, Deol teased that Kheerat would play a part in Gray's downfall. Deol described her death as "the end of a dream" for Kheerat, due to their hopes of starting anew together, as "words can't describe" Kheerat's emotions in the moment.Deol explained that Kheerat had a "gut instinct" that "something wasn't right" and that Chantelle's death was not accidental, explaining: "In his mind, he cannot dispute that feeling and it haunts him to this day. Maybe even the rest of his life". He added that Kheerat knew Gray was behind the murder and was frustrated as he "doesn't have the evidence to prove it" and "can't act on his anger" as he was a well-respected solicitor with an in-depth knowledge of how to exploit the law. The actor considered Gray to be Professor Moriarty to Kheerat's Sherlock Holmes.