Veteran actor Pradeep Rawat was cremated in Mumbai on Wednesday, with family members, close friends and members of the film industry gathering to pay their final respects. Emotional photos and videos from the funeral have since surfaced on social media, capturing the family’s grief.
One of the videos shows Rawat’s son, Vikram Rawat, performing his father’s last rites. During the ceremony, Vikram is seen breaking down in tears while carrying out the rituals. Another video captures him gently caressing his father’s head one final time before the funeral pyre was lit.
The veteran actor is survived by his wife, Kalyani Rawat, and their son, Vikram.
Soon after news of his passing emerged, Rawat’s Lagaan co-star Yashpal Sharma paid tribute to him on Instagram, writing, “Pradeep Rawat, our Ghajini, Deva of Lagaan, RIP.”
Pradeep Rawat Dies at 74
Pradeep Rawat passed away on Tuesday (August 4) at the age of 74 following a prolonged battle with blood cancer. He died at a hospital after the illness returned following years of recovery.
Also Read:‘Ghajini’ And ‘Lagaan’ Actor Pradeep Rawat Passes Away At 74 After Cancer Battle
The All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) also expressed condolences over the actor’s demise.
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of veteran Bollywood actor Pradeep Rawat at the age of 74. With his powerful screen presence, he portrayed some of the most unforgettable villainous characters alongside many of Bollywood’s legendary comedians and actors. His remarkable performances and immense contribution to Indian cinema will always be remembered and cherished by generations of film lovers,” the association said in a statement shared on X.
A Career Spanning More Than Four Decades
Born on January 21, 1952, in Madhya Pradesh, Pradeep Rawat began his acting career with Meri Jung. He later gained widespread recognition for portraying Ashwatthama in B.R. Chopra’s iconic television series Mahabharat.
Over the course of more than four decades, Rawat built a distinguished career across Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada and Malayalam cinema. He became widely known for his memorable villainous roles in films including Sarfarosh, Lagaan, The Hero: Love Story of a Spy, Ghajini, Singh Is Bliing, Tiger Zinda Hai and Chhaava.
While Lagaan and Sarfarosh established him as a prominent face in Hindi cinema, his performance in S.S. Rajamouli’s Sye earned him the Filmfare Award for Best Villain (Telugu), paving the way for a successful career in South Indian films.
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