Veteran Actor Pradeep Singh Rawat Passes Away at 74 After Battle with Blood Cancer

MUMBAI, Aug 5: Veteran Indian actor Pradeep Singh Rawat, best known for his powerful villainous roles in Hindi, Telugu and Tamil cinema, passed away on Tuesday evening after battling blood cancer. He was 74. Rawat breathed his last while undergoing treatment at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Mumbai, according to reports. His death has prompted an outpouring of tributes from colleagues and fans across the Indian film industry. Known for his commanding screen presence, Rawat portrayed the iconic character of Ashwatthama in the television epic Mahabharat. He also earned widespread acclaim for memorable antagonist roles in blockbuster films such as Sarfarosh, Lagaan and Ghajini. Beyond Indian cinema, Rawat shared a close association with the Nepali film industry. He appeared in Nepali films Aabaat Aama and Aabaat Aama-2, where he worked alongside actress Vipana Thapa, and also featured in director Chandra Pant’s Hraswa Deergha. Actress Vipana Thapa expressed profound grief over Rawat’s demise through social media, remembering him as a talented actor and a warm-hearted colleague. Several actors and filmmakers from India have also paid tribute to the veteran performer, recalling his immense contribution to cinema spanning more than four decades. Pradeep Singh Rawat’s passing marks the end of an illustrious career that left a lasting impact on Indian and Nepali cinema. He is survived by his family.