Everything changed in weeks: Pradeep Rawat's son recalls actor's final moments

At Pradeep Rawat's last rites in Mumbai, his son Vikramaditya recalled the actor's final moments in hospital. He said the family was shattered by the sudden diagnosis of a rare aggressive blood cancer.Pradeep Rawat's son recounts seeing doctors perform CPRVeteran actor Pradeep Rawat's blood cancer progressed with startling speed, his son Vikramaditya revealed. He said the actor's routine medical tests had come back normal just two months before the diagnosis. Speaking after Rawat's last rites in Mumbai on Wednesday, he also recalled the late actor's final moments, saying he realised the end was near when he saw doctors performing CPR in the ICU.Vikramaditya said the family initially believed Rawat was suffering from a stomach infection after doctors prescribed medication for his symptoms. However, when his condition worsened, further tests revealed an abnormally high white blood cell count.He said the family rushed the actor to Kokilaben Hospital, where doctors informed them there was a 99 per cent chance he had blood cancer. The diagnosis was confirmed the following day.According to Vikramaditya, the cancer was a rare and highly aggressive form of the disease. He added that the family had undergone routine medical tests just two months earlier and everything had appeared normal, making the diagnosis all the more devastating. Fighting back tears, Vikramaditya also recalled the actor's final moments. "We rushed outside the ICU. All the doctors were inside. I opened the door and saw them giving him CPR. That's when I understood," he said.He added that his mother broke down immediately afterwards and said he believes his father is now "in a better place."Vikramaditya thanks Aamir Khan, Lagaan team Pradeep Rawat died on August 4 at the age of 74 after battling a rare blood cancer. Several members of the film fraternity, including Aamir Khan and the Lagaan team, attended the funeral to pay their last respects.Despite the family's grief, Vikramaditya expressed gratitude to everyone who came to bid farewell to the actor, including Aamir Khan and other cast."He's happy that so many people showed up. I'm sure he's very happy. Thank you very much," he said.Pradeep Rawat was known for his performances in films such as Ghajini and Lagaan, besides portraying Ashwatthama in BR Chopra's television epic Mahabharat. He also had an extensive body of work across South cinema.- EndsPublished On: Aug 6, 2026 06:41 IST