3 weeks ago
Pradeep Rawat Dies at 74; Salman, Aamir Pay Tributes
Pradeep Rawat was a famous Indian movie actor.
He played villains and other memorable characters in movies like Ghajini, Lagaan, Sarfarosh, and Baaghi.
He worked in many different Indian film industries, including Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, and Kannada.
Sadly, he passed away on August 4, 2026, at the age of 74.
He had been sick with blood cancer, which is a rare and very serious illness.
Earlier, he had stomach cancer, but he got better from that.
In May 2026, doctors found he had blood cancer, and a few weeks later his platelet count dropped very low.
Doctors tried hard to help him, but he could not recover.
Many actors were sad, including Salman Khan, who wrote a kind message, and Aamir Khan, who went to his funeral in Mumbai.
People will remember him for his amazing performances, especially as the villain in Ghajini.
Veteran actor Pradeep Rawat died on August 4, 2026, at the age of 74 after battling blood cancer.
Salman Khan paid tribute to his Baaghi co-star on Instagram, writing 'Shared many good moments with you brother... May you rest in peace.'
Aamir Khan called Rawat 'extremely dedicated and fearless as an actor' and said his title role in Ghajini was one of the most striking screen villains in Indian cinema.
Rawat's last rites were held on August 5 at Oshiwara Crematorium in Goregaon, Mumbai, attended by Aamir Khan, Ashutosh Gowariker, Lagaan team members and, according to one report, Salman Khan.
Rawat acted for more than three decades across Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada and Malayalam cinema, with notable roles in Lagaan, Ghajini, Sarfarosh, Baaghi and Chhaava.
- Who
- Pradeep Rawat, veteran Indian actor known for films including Lagaan and Ghajini, mourned by Salman Khan, Aamir Khan and other Bollywood colleagues
- What
- Rawat died at age 74 after battling blood cancer; tributes poured in and his last rites were held in Mumbai
- Where
- He was treated at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital and later a cancer speciality hospital in Bhiwandi; his last rites were at Oshiwara Crematorium in Goregaon, Mumbai
- When
- He died on August 4, 2026, between 6 pm and 6.30 pm; his funeral was held on August 5, 2026
- Why
- He died of a rare, aggressive blood cancer after his platelet count suddenly dropped to around 6,000 per microliter despite doctors' efforts
Key facts
- Date of death
- August 4, 2026
- Age at death
- 74
- Cause of death
- Blood cancer (rare and aggressive type)
- Earlier diagnosis
- Stomach cancer four years ago; recovered and healthy until April 2026
- Platelet count at critical point
- Dropped to around 6,000 per microliter
- Funeral
- August 5, 2026, at Oshiwara Crematorium, Goregaon, Mumbai
- Survived by
- Wife Kalyani and son Vikramaditya
- Known for
- Roles in Lagaan, Ghajini, Sarfarosh, Baaghi and Chhaava
Quotes
Vikramaditya Rawat
Son of Pradeep Rawat, reflecting on his father's illness
“"We went to a doctor, and they said it might be a stomach infection or something. They gave him a lot of medicines, but none of them worked. My mom called me to say that his health had deteriorated. We got a blood test done, and his white blood cell count was very high. We immediately took him to Kokilaben Hospital, where the doctors told us there was a 99 per cent chance it was blood cancer."”
telegraphindia.com
“"He was extremely dedicated and fearless as an actor. Pradeepji 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."”
freepressjournal.in
news18.com







