Archive · 5 Aug 2026
Pradeep Rawat Dies At 74; Final Film Echoed Sye Villain
Pradeep Rawat was a famous Indian actor who played many villains in movies.
He first became very well known as Ashwatthama in the TV show Mahabharat.
Later, he became one of South India's most famous bad guys after playing Bikshu Yadav in the movie Sye.
He got sick with cancer four years ago but got better.
Sadly, the cancer came back about one and a half months ago, and he was in the hospital for a month.
On August 4, 2026, he died at the age of 74.
Before he died, he made one last movie called Gaayapadda Simham.
In it, his character was named Bikshu Das, a special way of remembering his famous role.
His last movie was like a goodbye to the character that made him so popular.
Veteran actor Pradeep Rawat died on August 4, 2026, at the age of 74 following a cancer relapse; his manager Siddharth Tiwari confirmed the death.
His final film, Gaayapadda Simham, released in May 2026, featured him as Bikshu Das, a tribute to his iconic villain Bikshu Yadav from SS Rajamouli's 2004 film Sye.
His career spanned Hindi, Telugu and Tamil cinema, including Prabhas' Chatrapathi, Chiranjeevi's Stalin, Allu Arjun's Desamuduru, Suriya's Ghajini and the Hindi remake of Ghajini with Aamir Khan.
He first became a household name as Ashwatthama in BR Chopra's Mahabharat and was also known for Lagaan and Sarfarosh.
Rawat had recovered from cancer four years ago, but suffered a relapse about one-and-a-half months ago and was hospitalised for a month; his funeral is to be held on August 5, 2026.
- Who
- Veteran actor Pradeep Rawat, whose death was confirmed by his manager Siddharth Tiwari; his final film Gaayapadda Simham starred Tharun Bhascker, Faria Abdullah and Sree Vishnu.
- What
- Died at age 74 from a cancer relapse; his final film Gaayapadda Simham paid tribute to his iconic Sye character Bikshu Yadav.
- When
- August 4, 2026, between 6 pm and 6.30 pm.
- Where
- Not stated in the articles.
- Why
- His cancer relapsed about one-and-a-half months earlier; after a month-long hospitalisation, his platelets suddenly dropped and he could not recover.
- Actor
- Pradeep Rawat
- Age at death
- 74
- Date of death
- August 4, 2026 (between 6 pm and 6.30 pm)
- Cause of death
- Cancer relapse; sudden drop in platelets after a month-long hospitalisation
- Final film
- Gaayapadda Simham (released May 2026)
- Final film role
- Bikshu Das, a black magic practitioner
- Iconic role
- Bikshu Yadav in SS Rajamouli's Sye (2004)
- Notable works
- Mahabharat, Lagaan, Ghajini, Sarfarosh