Pradeep Rawat Passed Away: Pradeep Rawat, who played Ashwatthama in B. R. Chopra’s Mahabharata and was a powerful actor in Hindi and South Indian cinema, passed away on Tuesday, August 4, at the age of 74. He was undergoing treatment for blood cancer and was admitted to Mumbai’s Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, where he died.
During his long film career, Pradeep Rawat distinguished himself with villainous and supporting roles. His roles as the dangerous villain in Aamir Khan’s Ghajini and Deva Singh Sodhi in Lagaan are still fondly remembered by audiences. His passing leaves the Hindi and South Indian film industries without a major actor.
Who was Pradeep Rawat?
Born on January 21, 1952, in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, Pradeep Rawat began his acting career in television before moving to films. He played the role of Ashwatthama in B.R. Chopra’s popular serial Mahabharata, which brought him his first major recognition. He then entered Hindi cinema with the 1985 film Meri Jung. In his early years, he played small but impactful roles in several films and gradually established a strong foothold in the industry.
Played the role of villain in Sarfarosh and Ghajini
Pradeep Rawat gained real popularity with films like Sarfarosh (1999), Lagaan (2001), and Ghajini (2005 Tamil, 2008 Hindi). In Lagaan, he played Deva Singh Sodhi, while in Ghajini, his role as Ghajini brought him national recognition. Notably, he played the same role in both the Tamil original and its Hindi remake. He also appeared in several Hindi films, including The Hero: Love Story of a Spy, Grand Masti, Singh Is Bliing, and Chava. He also enjoyed a long and successful career in Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam films.
Showed strength in South Indian film too
He left a deep mark on South Indian cinema. Pradeep Rawat wasn’t limited to Hindi films. He made a stellar debut in South Indian cinema with the Telugu film Sai, for which he received the Filmfare Best Villain (Telugu) Award. He also received awards like the Nandi and Santosham Awards. In a career spanning over four decades, he appeared in over 100 films and television series in multiple languages. With his powerful voice, impressive screen presence, and unique villainous style, Pradeep Rawat will always be remembered as one of Indian cinema’s most memorable actors.