Pradeep Rawat, Ghajini and Lagaan actor, dies at 74 after cancer battle

Veteran actor Pradeep Rawat, widely remembered for playing the menacing Ghajini Dharmatma in Aamir Khan's Ghajini, passed away on Tuesday evening after battling cancer. He was 74. Rawat had been undergoing treatment at Mumbai's Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital for the past month before being shifted to a cancer hospital in Bhiwandi, his manager Siddharth R. Tiwari told ANI. He is survived by his wife, Kalyani Rawat, and son, Vikramaditya Rawat.

Tributes pour in

News of the actor's demise prompted an outpouring of condolences from colleagues, friends and fans across the film industry. Actor Yashpal Sharma, who shared screen space with Rawat in Lagaan, paid tribute to his longtime friend. "Pradeep Rawat, Our Ghajini Deva of Lagaan. RIP," Sharma wrote on Instagram. Actor Gajendra Chauhan also mourned Rawat's passing. "Om Shanti Om Shanti. Our friend and a colleague Pradeep Rawat, who played Ashwathama in Mahabharat, passed away," he said.

Memorable screen presence

Rawat carved a niche for himself with powerful villainous roles across Hindi, Telugu and Tamil cinema. Over a career spanning several decades, he earned acclaim for his performances in films such as Sarfarosh, Lagaan, Sye, Naayak and Ghajini, becoming one of Indian cinema's most recognisable character actors.

Last on-screen appearance

Rawat was last seen in Vicky Kaushal-starrer Chhaava, in which he portrayed the character of Yesaji Kank. His death marks the end of a distinguished career that left a lasting impact across multiple Indian film industries.