Veteran Actor Pradeep Rawat Passes Away at Age 74

Veteran Indian actor Pradeep Rawat, celebrated for his antagonist roles in landmark films like Lagaan and Ghajini, passed away on August 4, 2026, at the age of 74. He succumbed to blood cancer following a prolonged battle with the illness. Rawat had previously recovered from stomach cancer four years prior, but received a new diagnosis earlier this year after experiencing significant weight loss and health complications.

The actor had been hospitalized for over a month before his condition deteriorated when his platelet count dropped critically to 6,000 per microliter. His son, Vikramaditya, recounted that medical personnel attempted CPR before he passed away. His funeral took place in Mumbai on August 5, 2026, drawing prominent film industry figures including Aamir Khan, Yashpal Sharma, Daya Shankar Pandey, Rajendra Gupta, and director Ashutosh Gowariker.

Fellow actors and industry associations paid heartfelt tributes to Rawat's powerful on-screen presence across Hindi, Telugu, and Tamil cinema. Aamir Khan noted that Ghajini would not have succeeded without Rawat's iconic villainous performance. Salman Khan also shared a throwback image on social media to honor his co-star from the 1990 film Baaghi. The All Indian Cine Workers Association acknowledged his lasting contribution to Indian cinema.