Mumbai: Actor Mukul Dev, known for his impactful roles in films like Son of Sardaar, R… Rajkumar, Jai Ho, and several others, passed away on Friday night at the age of 54. The news of his sudden demise has sent shockwaves across the film industry and among his fans.
According to sources, friends and colleagues began arriving at his residence on Saturday after learning of his passing. The cause of death is yet to be confirmed, and an official statement from his family is awaited.
Actress Deepshikha Nagpal, a close friend of Mukul Dev, confirmed the news on social media. She shared a heartfelt throwback picture on her Instagram Story with the simple caption: “RIP”, marking a solemn farewell to her longtime friend.
Born in New Delhi into a Punjabi family with ancestral roots in a village near Jalandhar, Mukul Dev was the son of late Hari Dev, an Assistant Commissioner of Police. His father, known for his linguistic prowess in Pashto and Persian, played a pivotal role in shaping Mukul’s early exposure to diverse cultures, including Afghan influences.
A multi-talented personality, Mukul’s first brush with performance came when he was in Class 8 — he received his first paycheck for impersonating Michael Jackson in a Doordarshan dance show. He was also a trained pilot, having earned his credentials from the Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi.
Mukul Dev made his acting debut on television with the 1996 serial Mumkin, where he played the role of Vijay Pandey. He also appeared in the popular Doordarshan show Ek Se Badh Kar Ek, a comedy-based Bollywood countdown program, and later went on to host the first season of Fear Factor India.
His film career began with Dastak, where he portrayed ACP Rohit Malhotra. The film also marked the Bollywood debut of former Miss Universe Sushmita Sen. Over the years, Mukul Dev carved a niche for himself in both mainstream and regional cinema, taking on a variety of roles across genres.
He was last seen in the Hindi film Anth The End and is survived by his brother, actor Rahul Dev.
Tributes have started pouring in from across the film fraternity, as the industry remembers a performer whose depth, dedication, and versatility left an indelible mark on Indian cinema.
