How Telugu cinema turned Pradeep Rawat into an iconic screen villain

Veteran actor Pradeep Rawat, who died at 74 after a relapse of blood cancer, leaves behind a legacy of unforgettable villainous performances across Indian cinema. While many remember him as Ashwatthama in Mahabharat and the ruthless antagonist in Ghajini, it was his memorable stint in Telugu cinema that transformed his career.

Rajamouli’s Sye changed everything

After working in Hindi films since the 1980s, Rawat made his Telugu debut in director S. S. Rajamouli‘s 2004 sports drama Sye, starring Nithiin and Genelia D’Souza.

His portrayal of the menacing Bikshu Yadav, a ruthless gangster sporting a distinctive septum ring, became one of Tollywood’s most memorable villains. The role established Rawat as a formidable screen antagonist and paved the way for a string of high-profile Telugu films, including Chatrapathi, Stalin and Desamuduru.

He also gained widespread acclaim for playing the feared villain in the original Tamil blockbuster Ghajini, a role he later reprised in the Hindi remake.

A fitting farewell as Bikshu Das

Rawat’s final on-screen appearance came earlier this year in the Telugu film Gaayapadda Simham, where he played Bikshu Das—a role widely seen as a tribute to his iconic Bikshu Yadav character.

Unlike the terrifying gangster who once intimidated college students, Bikshu Das was portrayed as a black magic practitioner with a humorous side and an emotional arc as a father hoping his son would uphold the family’s legacy. The role marked a symbolic full-circle moment in Rawat’s Tollywood career.

Final days

Rawat had been battling blood cancer for several years before suffering a relapse that left him hospitalised for over a month. He passed away on August 4 and is survived by his wife, Kalyani, and son, Vikramaditya.

His final Hindi film was Chhaava, while his last appearances in Tamil, Malayalam and Kannada cinema came in DD Returns (2023), Oru Kadathu Naadan Kadha (2019) and Champion (2022), respectively.

From the fearsome Bikshu Yadav to the endearing Bikshu Das, Pradeep Rawat’s career came full circle, cementing his place as one of Indian cinema’s most memorable character actors.