The film industry is mourning the loss of veteran actor Mukul Dev, who passed away at the age of 54. The actor, who had worked across Hindi, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, and Bengali films, was a familiar and respected face in Indian cinema and television.
While the cause of death remains undisclosed, those close to him have shared that he had been unwell in recent days and was hospitalised. According to actor Vindu Dara Singh, Mukul had become increasingly reclusive after the passing of his parents, and his health had deteriorated shortly before his death.
Vindu, a close friend and co-star, described him as someone who brought immense joy and humour on set. He mentioned that Mukul¡¯s final appearance would be in Son of Sardaar 2, calling it his ¡°swansong¡± that would once again leave audiences in fits of laughter.
Actor Manoj Bajpayee also paid tribute to Mukul, remembering him as a brother-like figure and a warm, passionate artist. He expressed his sorrow over losing someone so young and full of life, and offered prayers and support to Mukul¡¯s family.
Actress Deepshikha Nagpal expressed disbelief at the news, calling the loss heartbreaking on her Instagram stories.
Born on 17 September 1970 in New Delhi, Mukul Dev began his journey in entertainment with the 1996 television series Mumkin, and the same year made his film debut with Dastak, alongside Sushmita Sen. A graduate of St. Columba¡¯s School in Delhi, he also held a certificate in aeronautics from the Indira Gandhi Institute of Aviation in Raebareli.
Throughout his career, Mukul became known for roles in films like Yamla Pagla Deewana, Son of Sardaar, R... Rajkumar, Jai Ho, and the television series 21 Sarfarosh, Saragarhi 1897. He once reflected that his career had been deeply fulfilling, noting that directors often approached him for roles they believed only he could play.