Mumbai: Veteran actor Pradeep Rawat, celebrated for portraying some of Indian cinema's most memorable villains, will be laid to rest on Wednesday, August 5, following his death at the age of 74. The actor, who was widely known for his performances in Ghajini, Lagaan, and the iconic television series Mahabharat, passed away on Tuesday evening after a prolonged battle with blood cancer. His final rites are expected to take place in the presence of family members, close friends, and colleagues from the film industry.

Rawat is survived by his wife Kalyani Rawat and son Vikramaditya Rawat. The details of his funeral were confirmed by actor Yashpal Sharma, who shared screen space with him in the Oscar-nominated film Lagaan. Sharma took to social media to inform fans and members of the film fraternity that the actor's final darshan and funeral would be held on Wednesday. His post also served as a heartfelt tribute to a colleague and friend whose performances left a lasting impact on Indian cinema.

The news of Rawat's passing was confirmed by his manager, Siddharth Tiwari, who revealed that the actor had been fighting blood cancer for nearly five years. According to him, Rawat had successfully battled the disease once before, but the illness returned about six weeks ago. Since then, he had been undergoing treatment and was admitted to a hospital in Bhiwandi, Maharashtra. His condition deteriorated after his platelet count dropped significantly, and despite medical efforts, he could not recover. He passed away on August 4 between 6:00 pm and 6:30 pm.

The news triggered an outpouring of grief across the entertainment industry. Yashpal Sharma remembered his Lagaan co-star with an emotional message, referring to him by his iconic characters from Ghajini and Lagaan. Several actors, filmmakers, and fans also took to social media to pay tribute, recalling Rawat's powerful screen presence and his ability to leave a lasting impression even in supporting roles.

The All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) also expressed condolences, describing Rawat as one of Bollywood's finest character actors. In its tribute, the association highlighted his remarkable contribution to Indian cinema, particularly his memorable portrayals of negative characters that became an integral part of several successful films. The organisation stated that his performances would continue to inspire generations of actors and remain cherished by cinema lovers.

Born on January 21, 1952, in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, Pradeep Rawat built an acting career that spanned more than four decades. He worked extensively not only in Hindi cinema but also in Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, and Bhojpuri films, earning recognition across multiple film industries. His versatility allowed him to seamlessly portray villains, supporting characters, and strong personality-driven roles throughout his career.

Many television viewers first recognised Rawat as Ashwatthama in B.R. Chopra's Mahabharat (1988), a role that remains one of the most memorable portrayals in the legendary mythological series. The performance established him as a familiar face in Indian households long before he became one of Bollywood's most dependable character actors.

His film career reached new heights with memorable performances in several blockbuster films. In Sarfarosh (1999), he portrayed Sultan, while in Lagaan (2001), he played the fierce fast bowler Deva Singh Sodhi, a performance that earned widespread appreciation. Rawat later became synonymous with the ruthless villain Ghajini Dharmatma, first playing the role in the 2005 Tamil original before reprising it in the 2008 Hindi remake starring Aamir Khan. The character remains one of the most iconic antagonists in modern Indian cinema.

Beyond these celebrated performances, Rawat appeared in numerous successful films across languages, earning respect for his commanding voice, intimidating screen presence, and ability to portray intense characters with conviction. His contribution to Indian cinema extended well beyond commercial success, as he consistently delivered memorable performances that elevated every project he was part of.