Family, friends and colleagues gathered in Mumbai to remember veteran actor Pradeep Rawat, as his son Vikramaditya Rawat paid an emotional tribute and promised to carry forward his father’s legacy.The family of veteran actor Pradeep Rawat came together with members of the film fraternity on Thursday for a prayer meet to honour the late actor, who passed away at the age of 74 after battling a rare and aggressive form of blood cancer.Known for his memorable performances in films such as Ghajini, Lagaan, Sarfarosh, Chhaava and his portrayal of Ashwatthama in BR Chopra’s Mahabharat, Pradeep Rawat left behind a remarkable legacy across Hindi, Telugu and Tamil cinema.
Son Vikramaditya Rawat pays heartfelt tribute
Speaking to ANI during the prayer meet, Pradeep Rawat’s son, Vikramaditya Rawat, became emotional while remembering his father, describing him as a man of “honour and respect.”“First of all, I would like to say that no matter how many words I speak about my father, they will always be less. He was a man of honour and respect. No matter how many times I pray to God, or if God asks me what kind of father I wanted, I will always take his name,” he said.Videos from the prayer meet have surfaced on social media, showing Vikramaditya with a shaved head as he greeted mourners. In Hindu traditions, close male relatives often shave their heads after the death of a family member as a mark of mourning, humility and respect for the departed soul.
Vikramaditya recalls Pradeep Rawat’s final days
Vikramaditya also shared details about the actor’s final illness, revealing that what initially appeared to be a minor health issue quickly turned into a life-threatening condition.“Two months ago, he started having hiccups. He came home, and we thought it might be due to a minor infection. But as it continued to increase, we called the doctor home. When the doctor arrived, he said there could be a severe infection,” he recalled.Despite undergoing treatment, Pradeep Rawat’s condition continued to deteriorate.“The doctor prescribed several medicines, but unfortunately, none of them worked,” he said.Vikramaditya also vowed to keep his father’s legacy alive.“He believed, and I believe too, that one day I will make his name proud. I will carry forward his legacy. I want to follow his legacy, and I want to make it even bigger.”
Raghubir Yadav remembers a truly talented actor
Actor Raghubir Yadav also paid tribute to Pradeep Rawat, saying the industry had lost an exceptional performer.“He will always remain in our minds and in our hearts. Whoever has worked with him will never forget him,” he said.Calling Rawat’s demise a huge loss for cinema, Yadav added, “There is a lot of pain, and the film industry has lost a very big actor, a very intelligent actor and a truly talented performer. But he will always live in everyone’s memories.”
Mukesh Rishi reflects on decades of friendship
Actor Mukesh Rishi, who shared screen space with Pradeep Rawat in several films, fondly remembered their friendship that began during Sarfarosh.“The journey of both of us started with Sarfarosh, where we first met and got to know each other. Later, when I moved to the South, Pradeep also came there. We worked on several films together and got the opportunity to spend a lot of time with each other,” he said.Recalling their bond, Rishi added, “We used to talk a lot. He had his own unique way and style of expressing himself. Whenever there was a gap between our meetings, whenever we met again, it felt like all those missing moments were filled.”
A celebrated career across Indian cinema
Pradeep Rawat passed away on August 5, 2026, following a relapse of blood cancer. He is survived by his wife, Kalyani Rawat, and son, Vikramaditya Rawat.The veteran actor was best known for his powerful performances in Sarfarosh, Lagaan, Naayak, Sye, Ghajini and Chhaava. His portrayal of the menacing Ghajini Dharmatma in Ghajini and Ashwatthama in BR Chopra’s Mahabharat remain among the most iconic performances of his career, ensuring that his legacy will continue to live on in Indian cinema.
