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Ghajini villain Pradeep Rawat dies at 74 in Mumbai
Pradeep Rawat was a famous movie actor in India, best known for playing scary villains.
He died on August 4, 2026, at the age of 74.
He had been sick with blood cancer, a serious illness, for almost five years.
He got better once, but the illness came back about six weeks before he died.
He was in a hospital in Mumbai, and his body became too weak to recover.
His friend and co-star Yashpal Sharma told everyone the sad news.
Many other stars, like Aamir Khan and Sonu Sood, said he was a wonderful and brave actor.
He played the bad guy in the movie Ghajini and the cricket player Deva in Lagaan.
He worked in movies for more than 40 years, in many different Indian languages.
The next day, his family, friends and colleagues said goodbye at his funeral in Mumbai.
Pradeep Rawat, best known as the villain Ghajini Dharmatma, died at 74 on August 4, 2026, in Mumbai.
Manager Siddharth Tiwari said the actor had battled blood cancer for nearly five years, with a relapse about six weeks before his death.
Rawat, born January 21, 1952, in Jabalpur, had a four-decade career across Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada and Malayalam cinema.
His last rites were held August 5 in Goregaon, Mumbai, attended by Aamir Khan, Ashutosh Gowariker and other Lagaan colleagues.
Aamir Khan, Sonu Sood, Yashpal Sharma and the All Indian Cine Workers Association paid tribute to the veteran actor.
- Who
- Pradeep Rawat, veteran Indian actor known for villain roles in Ghajini, Lagaan and Sarfarosh; his death was confirmed by manager Siddharth Tiwari.
- What
- He died from complications of blood cancer after the disease relapsed; his cremation was held the following day.
- Where
- Mumbai; he was treated at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital before being shifted to a cancer hospital in Bhiwandi, and he was cremated in Goregaon.
- When
- August 4, 2026, between 6 and 6:30 pm.
- Why
- His blood cancer, battled for nearly five years, relapsed about six weeks before his death and his platelet count dropped sharply, from which he could not recover.
Key facts
- Age at death
- 74
- Date of death
- August 4, 2026, between 6 and 6:30 pm
- Cause of death
- Blood cancer complications after a relapse; platelet count dropped sharply
- Born
- January 21, 1952, in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh
- Known for
- Ghajini Dharmatma (Ghajini 2005 Tamil, 2008 Hindi), Deva Singh Sodhi (Lagaan), Sultan (Sarfarosh), Ashwatthama (Mahabharat)
- Career
- Four decades; reportedly more than 400 films across Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, Bhojpuri, Bengali and Nepali cinema
- Survived by
- Wife Kalyani Rawat and son Vikramaditya Rawat
- Last rites
- Held August 5, 2026, in Goregaon, Mumbai
Quotes
Daya Shankar Pandey
Actor, member of the cast of "Lagaan"
“He was extremely dedicated and fearless as an actor. Actually, Pardeepji played the title role in Ghajini. I think this was one of the most striking screen villains in our cinema. The film wouldn’t have worked without him. Earlier in Lagaan, he brought in his own flavour as Deva Singh Sodhi. I don’t think anyone could have played Sodhi with such swag. A versatile actor. Sad to hear of his going.”
theprint.in
rediff.com
deccanchronicle.com
“He was like Amrish Puri in south film industry and had done more than 400 films. Pradeep had a strong personality. Now we have lost another member of the ‘Lagaan Team’.”
theprint.in
Sources
Actor Pradeep Rawat cremated in presence of friends and family
Ghajini Actor Pradeep Rawat Passes Away at 74
Pradeep Rawat, Iconic Villain of ‘Ghajini’, Dies at 74
Pradeep Rawat's last rites today: Co-star Yashpal Sharma confirms funeral details
'Ghajini' villain Pradeep Rawat dies at 74 due to blood cancer; Sonu Sood, Yashpal Sharma pay tributes
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