Bollywood mourns: Actor Mukul Dev passes away at 54, a heartbreaking loss for Indian cinema

Actor Mukul Dev, known for his powerful presence in Bollywood, South Indian films, and television, passed away at the age of 54 after a prolonged illness. He was undergoing treatment in the ICU, but fate had other plans. His death has left fans and the entire film industry in shock and sorrow. He entertained us across languages, platforms, and generations now, actor Mukul Dev has bid his final goodbye.

Mukul carved out a niche with his versatile performances

From working with stalwarts like Nana Patekar and Salman Khan to making a mark on TV and in regional cinema, Mukul carved out a niche with his versatile performances. He was also the younger brother of actor Rahul Dev, who is five years his senior. The grief in the Dev family is profound, as is the mourning across the entertainment fraternity.

 A promising start that took a different turn

Born on 17 September 1970 in New Delhi, Mukul Dev was all set to be launched by none other than Amitabh Bachchan’s company ABCL but the film never materialized. He finally made his debut in 1996 with the thriller ‘Dastak’ alongside Sushmita Sen, marking a memorable beginning.

Though he started in lead roles, commercial success eluded him in that space. Over time, Mukul transitioned into impactful supporting roles, winning appreciation for his screen presence and intensity.

 A TV star in every sense

Unable to find consistent lead roles in films, Mukul turned to television — and struck gold. He made his small screen debut in 2000 with the quirky and popular show ‘Gharwali Uparwali’, which ran successfully for three years. He was later seen in shows like ‘Bhabhi’, ‘Kahi Diya Jale’, ‘Shhh... Phir Koi Hai’, and more  making him a familiar face in Indian households.

 A multilingual talent: South, Bengali, and Punjabi Films

Mukul didn’t limit his talent to Bollywood. He worked in multiple Telugu films like Krishna, Ek Niranjan, Nippu, Bhai, and Siddham. He also acted in Kannada films like Rajini, along with Bengali and Punjabi films, proving his adaptability and love for cinema in all its forms.