CINEMA

Veteran Actor Pradeep Rawat Dies at 74 After Cancer Relapse

Pradeep Rawat, the iconic Indian character actor known for villainous roles in films like Ghajini and Lagaan, passed away on Tuesday at 74 following a cancer relapse. His funeral is slated for Wednesday in Mumbai, with industry peers set to pay tribute.

By Open Vaartha Desk · 2026-08-04

TL;DR

Veteran actor Pradeep Rawat died at 74 after a cancer relapse, with his funeral set for Wednesday in Mumbai.

Key points

Pradeep Rawat died on 2026-08-04 at age 74 after a cancer relapse
His funeral is scheduled for 2026-08-05 in Mumbai
He was known for villainous roles in *Ghajini* and *Lagaan* and as Ashwatthama in *Mahabharat*
Rawat worked across Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, Bengali and other regional films
He is survived by his wife and son

Veteran Indian actor Pradeep Rawat died on Tuesday, 2026-08-04, at the age of 74 after battling cancer. According to his manager, Rawat had been hospitalized for more than a month in Mumbai following a relapse of the illness and was undergoing treatment at the time of his death. The manager confirmed the actor’s passing and said the funeral will be held on Wednesday, 2026-08-05, in Mumbai, where family, friends, and colleagues from the film industry are expected to attend.Rawat’s career spanned over four decades and crossed linguistic boundaries. He became a household name for his powerful portrayals of antagonists and character roles in Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, Bengali and other regional-language films. Notable film performances include the ruthless title antagonist in Ghajini and the role of Deva Singh in Lagaan. Television audiences also remember him for his depiction of Ashwatthama in the iconic series Mahabharat.Renowned for his commanding screen presence and versatility, Rawat earned widespread appreciation from both audiences and filmmakers, cementing his status as one of Indian cinema’s most recognizable character actors. Following the news of his death, actors, directors and fans took to social media to express condolences, highlighting his dedication to the craft and his lasting contributions to Indian cinema.Rawat is survived by his wife and son. His extensive body of work continues to entertain and inspire audiences across generations. May his soul rest in peace.