Mukul Dev passes away: Late actor was battling loneliness after parent's death, says close friend Vindu Dara Singh

The film and television world was plunged into sorrow as news spread of actor Mukul Dev’s unexpected passing in New Delhi. At just 54 years old, the seasoned performer, celebrated for his wide-ranging portrayals in cinema and television, left a void that reverberated across the entertainment industry. His sudden demise stunned colleagues, friends, and admirers, sparking an outpouring of grief.

Actor and close friend Vindu Dara Singh, who had shared screen space with Mukul in Son of Sardaar, revealed that Mukul had been silently enduring emotional turmoil. “After the death of his parents, Mukul had withdrawn into himself. He had put on weight and was battling loneliness. Though he had a daughter, she wasn’t staying with him. He was making his comeback with Son of Sardaar 2, but the sad part is he won’t be there to see it. It’s very tragic news,” he told ETimes.

Mukul had always been vocal about the deep emotional connection he shared with his parents. His father, Hari Dev, a respected Assistant Commissioner of Police, passed away in 2019, a loss that seemed to deeply unmoor him. In a revealing 2020 interview with journalist Nandini Sen, Mukul confessed his internal struggles, admitting that he had yet to find inner tranquility. “I’ve not learned how to be completely at peace with my surroundings,” he said honestly. “True peace allows you to see things as they are—that’s when enlightenment happens. Relationships test that peace more than anything else.”

In various conversations, Mukul often reflected on the wisdom and courage his father had imparted. Speaking to Spotboye, he recalled how their father once hoped both he and his brother would join the police force. “He taught us valuable life lessons,” Mukul said. A particularly striking memory came up in an Eastern Eye interview, where he remembered his father receiving a bravery medal after single-handedly calming a mob that had encircled a police station in Daryaganj. “He saved lives that day. That moment is etched in my memory forever,” he shared with pride.

Mukul’s mother, too, played an essential role in shaping his soul. She introduced him to the spiritual teachings of Buddhism and the Lotus Sutra, which remained a source of strength for him. During the pandemic, he recalled with fondness how her homemade Punjabi meals brought comfort during the lonely days of isolation. Her unwavering support was legendary in his eyes. “Whatever I do, my mother believes I do it well. She even says I’m better than Shri Amitabh Bachchan,” he had said with a laugh. On Instagram last year, he had posted a touching tribute to her: “Souls we all are… always meeting you on the other side. Will miss you until then, Ma.”

In the early 2000s, when his career in films slowed down, Mukul found a second wind in television. Shows like Kahani Ghar Ghar Ki and Pyar Zindagi Hai helped him reconnect with audiences. Speaking to Hindustan Times, he credited television with reviving his professional life. He later ventured into Punjabi, Telugu, and Bengali cinema, finding notable acclaim in Punjabi films. “Punjab is in my blood,” he once remarked, citing his childhood years in Patiala and his family roots near Jalandhar.

His brother, actor Rahul Dev, confirmed Mukul’s passing through a heartfelt Instagram post. “Our brother Mukul Dev passed away peacefully last night in New Delhi. He is survived by his daughter, Sia Dev, and mourned by siblings Rashmi Kaushal, Rahul Dev, and nephew Sidhant Dev. Cremation at 5 PM.”

The legacy of Mukul Dev will live on—in the roles he brought to life, the people he touched, and the quiet courage with which he faced life’s hardest moments.