Veteran Indian actor Pradeep Rawat, best known for his unforgettable portrayal of the ruthless villain in Aamir Khan’s blockbuster film Ghajini, has passed away at the age of 74. He died at a hospital in Mumbai after a prolonged battle with blood cancer.

The news was confirmed to Indian media outlet Mid-Day by his manager, Siddharth Tiwari. According to him, Rawat had successfully overcome cancer nearly five years ago, but the disease returned recently. He had been undergoing treatment for over a month, during which his platelet count dropped to a critically low level. Despite doctors’ best efforts, he could not be saved.

He is survived by his wife, a son, and countless admirers. His last rites are scheduled to be held on August 5.

Pradeep Rawat made his big-screen debut in 1985 with Aitbaar, directed by Mukul Anand. However, he first gained nationwide recognition through B.R. Chopra’s iconic television series Mahabharat, where he portrayed the character of Ashwatthama.

Over the years, he delivered memorable performances in several acclaimed films and television productions, including Agneepath (1990), Chandrakanta (1994), Koyla (1997), and Sarfarosh (1999).

In 2001, he earned widespread appreciation for his role as Deva Singh Sodhi in the Oscar-nominated blockbuster Lagaan. His career reached another milestone in 2008 when he played the terrifying antagonist in Ghajini, a performance that made him internationally recognized. He had earlier portrayed the same villainous role in the original Tamil version of Ghajini released in 2005.

His final screen appearance came in the 2025 film Chhaava. He was also seen this year in the Telugu film Gayapadda Simham and the Nepali movie Aa Bata Aama.

With a career spanning nearly four decades across Hindi and regional cinema, Pradeep Rawat leaves behind a remarkable legacy of powerful performances. His passing marks the end of an era for Indian cinema.

Source: Mid-Day