Who Was Pradeep Rawat? All About ‘Ghajini’ and ‘Lagaan’ Actor Who Passed Away at 74

Veteran actor Pradeep Rawat, widely acclaimed for his iconic portrayal of villains and character roles across Indian cinema, passed away on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, at the age of 74. The actor died at a hospital in Bhiwandi, Mumbai, following a sudden drop in his platelet count after a relapse of blood cancer, a condition he had been fighting for five years. His manager, Siddharth Tiwari, confirmed his passing, stating that the actor had been hospitalised for over a month prior to his death. Pradeep Rawat Dies: 'Lagaan', 'Ghajini' and 'Mahabharat' Actor Passes Away at 74.

‘Ghajini’ Actor Pradeep Rawat No More

The news of Rawat’s demise was first shared by his Lagaan co-star Yashpal Sharma, who paid tribute to him on social media with the message, "Pradeep Rawat, our Ghajini, Deva of Lagaan, RIP".  Following the announcement, tributes poured in from colleagues, fans, and industry bodies. The All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) issued an official statement offering condolences to his family, highlighting his powerful screen presence and memorable villainous performances that defined an era in Indian cinema.  Rawat’s funeral and final rites are scheduled to take place on Wednesday evening near the Oshiwara Bridge in Mumbai, following a public viewing at his residence in Goregaon.

Who Was Pradeep Rawat?

Pradeep Rawat was a versatile character actor whose career spanned over four decades. Born on January 21, 1952, he worked extensively across multiple film industries in India, including Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, Bengali, Bhojpuri, Marathi, and Nepali cinema.  He first gained nationwide recognition on television in 1988 when he played the role of Ashwatthama in B.R. Chopra’s legendary series Mahabharat. Over the years, he earned a reputation as one of Indian cinema's most dependable and menacing screen antagonists.

 Pradeep Rawat's Personal Life

Pradeep Rawat kept a relatively low-profile personal life outside of his cinematic work. He is survived by his wife, Kalyani Rawat, and their 18-year-old son, Vikramaditya.  According to his manager, Rawat had successfully recovered from cancer four years ago, but experienced a relapse a few months before his passing, leading to his prolonged treatment and eventual death.

Pradeep Rawat's Acting Journey

Rawat made his feature film debut in the 1985 movie Aitbaar, followed by roles in films like Meri Jung, Samundar, Kaash, and Insaaf. However, it was his television breakthrough in Mahabharat that made him a household name across India.  In Hindi mainstream cinema, Rawat showcased his range by playing key supporting roles. In Ashutosh Gowariker’s Oscar-nominated 2001 film Lagaan, he delivered a celebrated performance as Deva Singh Sodhi, a fierce Sikh sepoy fighting alongside his village team. He also featured in films such as Sarfarosh and The Hero: Love Story of a Spy, as well as a recent appearance in Chhaava playing Yesaji Kanak.

Pradeep Rawat's South Indian Cinema Career

Rawat established a dominant presence in South Indian film industries. His journey in Telugu cinema began in 2004 with SS Rajamouli’s sports drama Sye, which earned him critical acclaim as a formidable antagonist. He went on to act in high-profile South projects such as Bhadra, Jagapathi, Stalin, Veeram, and 1: Nenokkadine. His final Telugu appearance was in the 2026 film Gayapadha Simham.

His most iconic villainous role came in AR Murugadoss's 2005 Tamil blockbuster Ghajini, where he played the dual titular antagonist Ghajini Dharmatma. The performance was so impactful that he was chosen to reprise the exact same character in the 2008 Hindi remake of Ghajini alongside Aamir Khan, cementing his legacy in contemporary film history. Rawat also expanded his regional repertoire with Malayalam films like China Town and Kannada titles like Parodi. Thai BL Actor Jorjay Phumhirun Boonpa, Known for ‘Boys Vibe’ Reality Show, Dies at 20.

Pradeep Rawat's transition from mythological television drama to blockbuster action thrillers made him one of the most recognisable figures in pan-Indian cinema. Through memorable characters ranging from Ashwatthama and Deva to Ghajini, his decades-long career leaves an enduring mark on audiences and the Indian film industry alike

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 05, 2026 10:34 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).