Veteran Actor Pradeep Rawat Passes Away at 74

Veteran Indian actor Pradeep Rawat has passed away at the age of 74. He had been undergoing treatment for blood cancer at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Mumbai, where he breathed his last on Tuesday evening. His demise has left the Indian film fraternity and his admirers deeply saddened.

According to family sources, Rawat had been battling blood cancer for nearly five years. Although his condition had improved after treatment for some time, the illness reportedly returned a few months ago. He had been hospitalized for the past two months.

Pradeep Rawat began his acting journey by portraying Ashwatthama in B.R. Chopra's iconic television series Mahabharat. He later established himself as a versatile actor across Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, Bengali, and Bhojpuri cinema.

In Bollywood, he was known for his memorable performances in films such as Lagaan, Sarfarosh, Ghajini, Awarapan, Grand Masti, and Baiju Bawra. His portrayal of the ruthless villain in Ghajini remains one of the most iconic performances of his career. He first played the character in the 2005 Tamil version and later reprised the same role in the Hindi remake.

Rawat also enjoyed a successful career in South Indian cinema, where he portrayed several powerful antagonist roles. His commanding screen presence and impactful performances earned him recognition across multiple film industries.

His final Hindi film appearance came in Chhaava, which was released on February 14, 2025, where he played a significant supporting role.

Several members of the film fraternity paid tribute following his passing. Actor Sonu Sood shared an emotional message on social media, remembering Rawat as a remarkable performer whose absence would always be felt.

His last rites are expected to be performed in Mumbai, with family members, friends, and colleagues from the film industry expected to attend.