Lagaan and Ghajini actor Pradeep Rawat dies at 74 after cancer battle

Actor Pradeep Rawat, known for his roles in Lagaan and Ghajini, died on Tuesday evening at a hospital in Bhiwandi after suffering from blood cancer. He had been battling the illness for the past five years.

Rawat’s business manager, Siddharth Tiwari, confirmed the news to India Today. He said the actor had recovered earlier, but the cancer relapsed a few months ago. Tiwari said Rawat had been in hospital for the last couple of months and that his condition worsened over the past few days before he died on Tuesday evening.

Tiwari said Rawat breathed his last on Tuesday evening and that the last rites will



most likely take place on Wednesday. No further details were shared. Rawat’s death was confirmed after reports of his treatment and deteriorating condition in the days leading up to Tuesday evening.

Yashpal Sharma, Rawat’s co-star in Lagaan, shared the news on his Instagram story. He wrote, "Our Ghazni, Lagaan's Deva Pradeep Rawat is no more. May his soul rest in peace."

Rawat was known for antagonist and character roles across Hindi and regional cinema, and was remembered for playing Ghajini Dharmatma in Ghajini and Deva Singh Sodhi in the Oscar-nominated period drama Lagaan.