Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai

Mumbai, Aug 5: Veteran actor Pradeep Rawat, best known for his memorable performances in Ghajini, Lagaan and the television epic Mahabharat, passed away on Tuesday, August 4, after a battle with cancer. He was 74.

According to his manager, Siddharth R. Tiwari, Rawat had been undergoing treatment at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Mumbai for the past month before being shifted to a cancer hospital in Bhiwandi, where he breathed his last.

Rawat is survived by his wife, Kalyani Rawat, and their son, Vikramaditya Rawat. His family largely stayed away from the public eye, with Kalyani making only occasional appearances alongside the actor at public events.

The actor's demise has prompted an outpouring of tributes from colleagues and fans. Actor Yashpal Sharma, who shared screen space with Rawat in Lagaan, remembered him in an Instagram post, while actor Gajendra Chauhan paid tribute on X, recalling Rawat's portrayal of Ashwatthama in B.R. Chopra's iconic television series Mahabharat.

Pradeep Rawat began his acting career with Mahabharat, earning recognition for his role as Ashwatthama. He later appeared in several popular television serials, including Tehkikaat, Chandrakanta, Yug and Gul Sanobar.

He made his Bollywood debut with Aitbaar and went on to feature in several notable films, including Agneepath, Patthar Ke Phool, Sangdil Sanam, Koyla, Sarfarosh and Lagaan. However, it was his portrayal of the menacing Ghajini Dharmatma in Aamir Khan's blockbuster Ghajini that became one of the most defining roles of his career.

Rawat's final screen appearance was in the Nepali family drama Aa Bata Aama, released in January 2026. His passing marks the end of a career spanning decades across television and cinema, during which he became known for his powerful screen presence and memorable character roles.