Raza Murad Pays Emotional Tribute to Pradeep Rawat: ‘He Was a Karma Yogi, His Talent Will Always Speak for Him’

Veteran actor Raza Murad paid his final respects to the late Pradeep Ram Singh Rawat at his funeral in Mumbai on Wednesday, remembering his longtime colleague as one of the most humble and hardworking actors he had ever worked with. As family members, close friends, and several personalities from the film fraternity gathered to bid an emotional farewell, Murad's heartfelt words painted a moving portrait of the man behind some of Indian cinema's most memorable villains.

Speaking to the media outside the funeral, Raza Murad reflected on decades of friendship and collaboration with Rawat. Recalling their journey together, he said, "We worked together on many films; he was a very simple, unassuming person. He minded his own business, spoke little, always wore a smile, and was incredibly prolific. He acted in excellent films—Lagaan, Sarfarosh, and Ghajini. A unique thing about Ghajini was that the film was named after the villain—something that rarely happens, or perhaps had never happened before."

Murad also highlighted Pradeep Rawat's immense contribution to Telugu cinema, where he enjoyed legendary status as a screen antagonist. "Apart from that, he did a lot of Telugu films; he held the same stature in Telugu cinema that the legendary Amrish Puri did here—no major film was made without him. He worked very hard. He was a very simple man and physically very fit. Prem Chopra and I even did a TV program with him recently. So, this has come as a huge shock to all of us. We never imagined this; he was always so healthy and had a great physique. It is a massive loss—a loss for all of us."

The veteran actor expressed regret that Rawat never received the level of recognition in Hindi cinema that his talent deserved. "The only regret is that despite doing so many Hindi films, he didn't quite achieve the level of recognition in Hindi cinema that he deserved; he found that stature in Telugu cinema. Ultimately, he was a Karma Yogi—a man dedicated to his work. He never boasted about his work or listed his achievements. He was a very good friend, and his absence will always be felt. A good man, a simple man, a quiet man—someone who believed in his work. We will always miss him."

Recalling his final meeting with Rawat, Murad shared that they had recently reunited for a television special alongside Prem Chopra, Bharti Singh, and Krushna Abhishek. "We did a show with Bharti Singh and Krushna Abhishek—it was a show about villains, and the three of us were invited. That was where I last met him." He added that despite Rawat's fearsome on-screen image, the actor was the complete opposite in real life. "As menacing as he appeared on screen, he was equally simple and gentle in his nature and temperament. I never heard him speak in a raised voice. I never heard him make demands on the set. He would simply do his work quietly and leave."

Murad once again praised Rawat's unforgettable performances, particularly in Ghajini, Lagaan, Sarfarosh, Sangdil Sanam, and Apradhi, saying, "My feeling is that he deserved to achieve even greater heights in Hindi cinema. Ghajini was such a massive success—it takes a big heart to release a film with oneself in the title role, and the work he delivered was remarkable. He always did excellent work."

Concluding his tribute, Raza Murad delivered perhaps the most touching words of all, remembering Rawat not just as an accomplished actor but as a genuinely good human being. "You see, there are people who act in front of the camera and also act behind it. I never saw him acting when the cameras weren't rolling. He was a simple, down-to-earth man. He had no pretensions. He was a family man; I never saw him at parties or social gatherings. He didn't socialize much; he was a low-profile person. A person's work speaks for itself. There is no need to say anything. If you do good work, you don't need to talk about it. Birds will surely reach their destination; their outstretched wings speak for them. And often, in this world, it is those whose talent speaks who remain silent. His talent speaks volumes. Physically, he may have left us, but we will never forget the work he accomplished."

Pradeep Ram Singh Rawat, who passed away at the age of 74 after battling blood cancer, leaves behind an extraordinary body of work across Hindi, Telugu, and Tamil cinema. While audiences will forever remember him for his powerful screen presence, tributes like Raza Murad's serve as a reminder that behind the intimidating characters was a quiet, humble, and deeply respected artist whose legacy will continue to inspire generations of actors.

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