Archive · 6 Aug 2026
Actor Pradeep Rawat Dies at 74; Salman Khan Pays Tribute
Pradeep Rawat was an actor in Indian films, famous for movies like Sarfarosh, Lagaan and Ghajini.
He passed away at the age of 74 in Mumbai after a long fight with cancer.
He was a very close friend of the big movie star Salman Khan.
They became friends in 1990 while filming the movie Baaghi, because they both loved working out.
For four to six months, Salman wouldn't let him go home — Pradeep ate, slept, exercised and even showered at Salman's house.
Salman also rented fancy suits for him to wear to big parties.
Pradeep later decided to step away because he felt too comfortable, and he wanted to build his own career.
Years afterward, they met again on a busy road, and Salman stopped traffic to hug him and ask where he had been.
After Pradeep died, Salman shared a photo of the two friends and wrote that they had shared many good moments.
Pradeep is survived by his wife and his 18-year-old son.
Actor Pradeep Rawat, known for Sarfarosh, Lagaan and Ghajini, died at age 74 in Mumbai following a relapse of cancer.
His friendship with Salman Khan began on the set of Baaghi in 1990; for four to six months Salman wouldn't let him go home, and Rawat ate, slept and worked out at Khan's residence, Galaxy.
In an interview with Siddharth Kannan, Rawat said he distanced himself from Salman Khan because he felt too comfortable with that lifestyle and needed to focus on his own career.
Years later, the two reunited after a chance road encounter that stopped traffic; after Rawat's death, Salman Khan paid tribute on social media, writing 'Shared many good moments with you brother… May you rest in peace.'
Rawat, who had beaten stomach cancer four years ago, was hospitalised in July with blood cancer; his platelet count dropped to 6,000 per microlitre before he died.
- Who
- Pradeep Rawat, an actor who worked with stars including Aamir Khan and Salman Khan, and superstar Salman Khan, who paid tribute after his death.
- What
- Rawat died at age 74 after a relapse of cancer; his platelet count suddenly dropped to 6,000 per microlitre.
- When
- On a Tuesday evening; he had been hospitalised in July after being diagnosed with blood cancer.
- Where
- At a cancer speciality hospital in Bhiwandi, Mumbai.
- Why
- He died following a relapse of cancer, having successfully battled stomach cancer four years earlier.
- Age at death
- 74
- Place of death
- Cancer speciality hospital, Bhiwandi, Mumbai
- Cause of death
- Relapse of cancer; platelet count dropped to 6,000 per microlitre
- Notable films
- Sarfarosh, Lagaan, Ghajini
- Career span
- More than four decades across films, television and multiple languages
- Salman Khan friendship
- Began on Baaghi (1990); Rawat stayed at Khan's Mumbai home, Galaxy, for four to six months
- Survived by
- Wife Kalyani Rawat and 18-year-old son Vikramaditya
- Previous illness
- Beat stomach cancer four years ago; hospitalised in July with blood cancer
