Veteran Indian actor Pradeep Rawat, best known for his chilling portrayal of the villain Ghajini in Aamir Khan’s blockbuster film Ghajini, has died at the age of 74 after a prolonged battle with blood cancer.The actor passed away at a hospital in Mumbai, where he had been undergoing treatment for more than a month. His death has cast a shadow of grief over the Indian film and entertainment industry. He is survived by his wife, a son and a large number of admirers.Pradeep Rawat’s manager Siddharth Tiwari confirmed the news to Indian media outlet Mid-Day. He said the actor had defeated cancer around five years ago, but the disease returned recently. His health condition deteriorated as his blood platelet count dropped to a critical level despite medical efforts.His last rites are expected to be held on August 5.Rawat made his big-screen debut in 1985 with Iti Baar, directed by the late Mukul Anand and starring Raj Babbar and Dimple Kapadia. However, he gained nationwide recognition even before entering films through his portrayal of Ashwatthama in BR Chopra’s iconic television series Mahabharat in 1988.During the 1990s, Rawat established himself as a versatile performer in both television and cinema. He appeared in notable projects including Amitabh Bachchan-starrer Agneepath (1990), popular TV series Chandrakanta (1994), Koyla (1997) and Sarfarosh (1999).In the 2000s, he continued to make his mark in Hindi and regional films. His role as Deva Singh Sodhi, a member of Aamir Khan’s cricket team in the 2001 blockbuster Lagaan, brought him renewed recognition.However, it was his portrayal of the ruthless antagonist Ghajini Dharmatma in Aamir Khan’s 2008 action thriller Ghajini that made him a household name. His intense performance as the villain opposite Aamir Khan remains one of the most memorable negative roles in Indian cinema.Before the Hindi remake, Rawat had played the same character in the original Tamil version of Ghajini in 2005, starring Suriya.The actor’s final appearances came in recent years, including Vicky Kaushal-starrer Chhaava (2025). He was also seen in the Telugu comedy-drama Gayapadda Simham and the Nepali film Aa Bato Ama, released in 2026.With a career spanning several decades, Pradeep Rawat leaves behind a legacy of powerful performances and unforgettable characters in Indian cinema.Source: Mid-Day, Indian medi