Archive · 5 Aug 2026
Actor Pradeep Rawat, Who Convinced Aamir Khan for Ghajini, Dies
Pradeep Rawat was an actor who played bad guys, called villains, in movies.
He passed away at the age of 74 after being sick with cancer.
Many people remember him for helping make a famous movie called Ghajini.
He knew two very famous actors, Aamir Khan and Salman Khan.
He thought Aamir Khan would be a better fit for the movie because he is calm and kind.
So he kept asking Aamir to watch the Tamil film the story was based on.
Aamir finally watched it and said yes to making Ghajini in Hindi.
The movie became a huge success and was the first Indian movie to earn more than 100 crore rupees.
People will remember Rawat as a talented actor who played strong, scary characters.
Veteran actor Pradeep Rawat, known for villain roles, died at 74 while undergoing treatment for cancer.
Rawat convinced Aamir Khan to star in the Hindi remake of Ghajini, saying Aamir ultimately couldn't say 'no' to him.
He preferred Aamir Khan over Salman Khan because he considered Salman short-tempered and Aamir calm and well-behaved.
Ghajini, released on 25 December 2008, became the first Indian film to cross ₹100 crore at the domestic box office.
Rawat's career took off after SS Rajamouli created a villain role for him in Sye; he was a back-up for the Tamil Ghajini villain role originally offered to Prakash Raj.
- Who
- Veteran actor Pradeep Rawat, who died of cancer at 74, and Aamir Khan, the superstar Rawat persuaded to headline the Hindi Ghajini.
- What
- Rawat's death and his behind-the-scenes role in making the Hindi remake of Ghajini happen; the film became the first Indian production to cross ₹100 crore domestically.
- When
- Rawat died on a Tuesday evening; Ghajini released on 25 December 2008.
- Where
- Rawat was treated at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Mumbai and later at a cancer hospital in Bhiwandi; the casting story unfolded on Telugu film sets in Hyderabad.
- Why
- Rawat chose Aamir Khan over Salman Khan because Aamir was calm and well-behaved, which he felt suited director AR Murugadoss, who did not know Hindi or English at the time.
- Actor
- Pradeep Rawat
- Age at death
- 74
- Cause of death
- Cancer
- Famous contribution
- Persuaded Aamir Khan to star in the Hindi Ghajini
- Hindi Ghajini release date
- 25 December 2008
- Box office milestone
- First Indian film to cross ₹100 crore domestically
- Tamil Ghajini lead
- Suriya
- Survived by
- Wife and son Vikramaditya
