New Delhi, May 24 (UNI) Veteran actor Mukul Dev, known for his dynamic screen presence and deep-rooted versatility, passed away on Friday night in New Delhi at the age of 54.
The actor, who had been unwell for some time, breathed his last while undergoing treatment. He is survived by his daughter, Sia Dev, and his brother, actor Rahul Dev. A formal statement from the family is awaited.
Mukul Dev leaves behind a richly textured legacy that spans Hindi, Punjabi, Telugu, Tamil, Bengali, Kannada, and Malayalam cinema, alongside a prolific television career. His death marks the end of an era defined by versatility, resilience, and a rare sincerity in performance.
Born on 17 September 1970 in New Delhi to a Punjabi family, Mukul grew up in a culturally rich environment. His father, Hari Dev, an assistant commissioner of police, exposed him to Afghan culture, and Mukul’s fluency in Pashto and Persian spoke volumes of his intellectual curiosity. Educated at St. Columba’s School, he also trained as a pilot at the Indira Gandhi Institute of Aviation in Raebareli — a surprising prelude to a life in the arts.
His first brush with the limelight came early, when he impersonated Michael Jackson in a Doordarshan dance show while in Class 8 — a performance that earned him his first pay cheque. It would be the start of a long and diverse journey.
He began his acting career in 1996 with the television series 'Mumkin', portraying Vijay Pandey. He soon became a household name through Doordarshan’s 'Ek Se Badh Kar Ek', a Bollywood countdown comedy show, and later, as the host of the first season of 'Fear Factor India'.
Mukul made his Bollywood debut in 'Dastak' (1996), where he starred alongside Sushmita Sen as ACP Rohit Malhotra. The late 1990s and early 2000s saw him take on memorable roles in films such as 'Qila', 'Wajood', 'Kohram', 'Mujhe Meri Biwi Se Bachaao', 'Jungle', 'Yeh Hai Jalwa', and 'Indian'. He became known for his subtle screen presence and quiet command.
In the Telugu film industry, Mukul rose to prominence after his standout role as Jakka in 'Krishna' (2008) opposite Ravi Teja. The performance led to a slew of negative roles in Telugu cinema, including parts in 'Ek Niranjan', 'Siddham', 'Kedi', 'Adhurs', 'Bejawada', 'Money Money More Money', 'Nippu', and 'Bhai'. Though he didn’t return to Telugu films after 'Bhai', he remained active in Hindi cinema.
He appeared in several major Bollywood productions, including 'Son of Sardaar', 'R... Rajkumar', and 'Jai Ho'. His final Bollywood appearance was in 'Anth: The End' (2022), and his last film role was in the Punjabi historical drama 'Sarabha' (2023), where he portrayed 'Harnam Singh Tundilat'.
He was also awarded the 7th Amrish Puri Award for his role in 'Yamla Pagla Deewana', recognising his excellence in acting. Mukul worked across Hindi, Punjabi, Bengali, Malayalam, Kannada, and Telugu cinema, constantly adapting, always convincing.
Mukul Dev was that rare kind of actor who quietly transformed every frame he stepped into — a true chameleon with the soul of a craftsman. Instead of drawing attention through overacting or relying on any kind of melodrama; he subtly stepped into the shoes of whatever character he played.
Favouring a far more organic and natural approach, he instead breathed life into his characters, and brought them to life by expressing every emotion naturally with every glance, a pause, or a carefully measured line.
Whether he was playing a hardened cop, a sly villain, or a warm-hearted brother, Mukul made it look effortless — and that was his genius-bring raw emotion through a minimalist approach.
His approach to acting was refreshingly instinctive. Mukul wasn’t shaped by formal theatre training or method-acting mantras. Instead, he built his performances on raw observation, lived experience, and an acute sense of emotional timing.
He often said little but said it well — a quiet force in an industry that often favours the loud and the flamboyant.
Directors knew what they were getting with Mukul Dev: commitment, discipline, and a natural fluidity that elevated every scene. Co-actors admired his ability to both lead and support, to share space generously, and to vanish into character without ego.
His death prompted a wave of tributes from across the entertainment world. Actress Deepshikha Nagpal shared a photo on Instagram Stories writing, “Can’t believe this. RIP.”
Actor Neil Nitin Mukesh tweeted, “Really upset with the sad news of dear Mukul leaving us so soon. A powerhouse performer and a lovely person.”
Manoj Bajpayee added, “It’s impossible to put into words what I’m feeling. Mukul was a brother in spirit, an artist whose warmth and passion were unmatched.”
His brother and fellow actor Rahul Dev, wrote on X, “We are deeply saddened to inform you that our brother Mukul Dev passed away peacefully last night in New Delhi. He is survived by his daughter, Sia Dev, and will be dearly missed.”
Mukul Dev may never have chased the spotlight, but he leaves behind a cinematic legacy that shines quietly and profoundly — a body of work that spans not just genres, but regions and languages, demanding respect. A true craftsman, Mukul lived to serve his art with dignity and grace.
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