The Indian film industry mourns the sudden loss of veteran actor Mukul Dev, who passed away peacefully on May 23, 2025, at the age of 54 in New Delhi. Known for his versatile performances across Hindi, Punjabi, Telugu, and other regional films, Dev’s unexpected demise has sent shockwaves through Bollywood and beyond. His brother, actor Rahul Dev, performed the final rites on May 24, 2025, at Dayanand Mukti Dham in New Delhi, with several industry colleagues and family members gathering to pay their final respects. According to close friend and actor Vindu Dara Singh, Dev had been struggling with depression and had not been taking proper care of his health in recent times. The actor’s death comes as he was preparing for his upcoming project, Son of Sardaar 2, which will now serve as his posthumous final film appearance.
Death and Circumstances
Mukul Dev breathed his last on the night of May 23, 2025, after what has been described as a brief illness2. The 54-year-old actor was reportedly in Delhi when he passed away peacefully, though the exact medical cause of death has not been officially disclosed. His close friend and colleague Vindu Dara Singh revealed crucial details about Dev’s mental and physical state in the days leading up to his death, stating that the actor had been battling depression and had neglected his health3. According to Singh, Dev had been unresponsive to calls recently, particularly when he was supposed to attend a photoshoot for his upcoming film Son of Sardaar 2.
The circumstances surrounding Dev’s death highlight the often-overlooked mental health challenges faced by actors in the entertainment industry. Singh’s revelation that Dev was struggling with depression adds a tragic dimension to his passing, suggesting that the actor may have been fighting personal battles that were not immediately apparent to the public. The fact that he had stopped responding to professional commitments and calls from colleagues indicates that his condition had deteriorated significantly in his final days. This pattern of withdrawal is often observed in individuals experiencing severe depression, making his death all the more poignant for those who knew him personally.
Funeral and Last Rites
The funeral proceedings for Mukul Dev took place on May 24, 2025, at Dayanand Mukti Dham in Nizamuddin West, Delhi, with the ceremony beginning at 5 PM. His elder brother, actor Rahul Dev, took on the solemn responsibility of performing the last rites, demonstrating the close family bonds that existed between the siblings. The cremation ceremony was attended by numerous friends from the film industry, family members, and well-wishers who came to pay their final respects to the departed actor. Rahul Dev was observed greeting mourners with folded hands, accepting condolences with dignity during this difficult time for the family.
The presence of several Bollywood personalities at the funeral underscored Mukul Dev’s standing within the industry and the relationships he had cultivated throughout his career. Vindu Dara Singh, who had worked closely with Dev in the Son of Sardaar franchise, was notably emotional during the proceedings, being seen wiping away tears as he spoke about his departed friend. The gathering served not only as a final farewell but also as a testament to the impact Dev had made on his colleagues and peers. The ceremony was conducted with traditional rituals, honoring both the family’s cultural practices and the actor’s legacy in Indian cinema.
Career and Legacy
Mukul Dev Kaushal carved out a distinctive niche in Indian entertainment, spanning television, Hindi cinema, and regional films across multiple languages including Punjabi, Telugu, Bengali, Malayalam, and Kannada. His career began in 1996 with his television debut in the serial “Mumkin,” where he played Vijay Pandey, before transitioning to films with “Dastak” the same year, appearing alongside Sushmita Sen. Throughout his nearly three-decade career, Dev demonstrated remarkable versatility, taking on roles ranging from police officers and antagonists to comedic characters, earning recognition for his ability to adapt to different genres and regional cinema requirements. His performance in “Yamla Pagla Deewana” was particularly acclaimed, earning him the 7th Amrish Puri Award for Excellence in Acting.
The breadth of Dev’s filmography is impressive, with notable appearances in commercially successful films such as “Son of Sardaar” (2012), “R… Rajkumar” (2013), and “Jai Ho” (2014). His role as Tony Singh Sandhu in the original “Son of Sardaar” was particularly significant, as he played the brother to characters portrayed by Sanjay Dutt and Sonakshi Sinha in this blockbuster that earned over ₹161 crore worldwide. Beyond his film work, Dev also made his mark in television, hosting the first season of “Fear Factor India” and appearing in numerous popular serials throughout the 2000s. His versatility extended to voice acting, where he lent his voice to major Hollywood productions, dubbing characters like Ulysses Klaue in “Black Panther” and Yon-Rogg in “Captain Marvel” for their Hindi versions.
Dev’s contribution to regional cinema, particularly Punjabi films, was substantial, with memorable performances in movies like “Shareek” (2015), for which he won the PTC Punjabi Film Award for best actor in a negative role. His ability to seamlessly transition between different film industries and languages showcased his linguistic skills and cultural adaptability. The actor’s work in Telugu cinema was equally noteworthy, with appearances in films like “Ek Niranjan,” “Adhurs,” and “Bejawada,” demonstrating his pan-Indian appeal. His final project, Son of Sardaar 2, directed by Vijay Kumar Arora and produced by Devgn Films and Jio Studios, will serve as a fitting farewell to his extensive career.
Family and Personal Life
Mukul Dev was born on September 17, 1970, in New Delhi into a Punjabi family with ancestral roots in a village near Jalandhar. He was the younger brother of renowned actor and model Rahul Dev, and the family also included a sister, Rashmi Kaushal. The Dev family had strong connections to public service, with their father Hari Dev serving as an assistant commissioner of police before his death in 2019 at the age of 91. This background in law enforcement may have influenced Mukul’s frequent portrayal of police officers and authority figures throughout his acting career.
The actor’s personal life was marked by both achievements and challenges, including his role as a father to his daughter Sia Dev, who survives him. His early exposure to diverse cultures came through his father, who could speak Pashto and Persian, providing Mukul with a multicultural perspective that likely contributed to his ease in working across different regional film industries. An interesting aspect of his background was his training as a pilot from the Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi, showcasing his diverse interests and skills beyond acting. His entry into entertainment began early, with his first paycheck earned in class 8 when he impersonated Michael Jackson for a Doordarshan dance show, foreshadowing his future career in performance.
Industry Reactions and Tributes
The news of Mukul Dev’s passing has elicited heartfelt tributes from across the entertainment industry, with colleagues remembering him as both a talented actor and a kind-hearted individual. Vindu Dara Singh, who shared a close friendship with Dev and worked with him in the Son of Sardaar franchise, was visibly emotional during his tribute, describing the late actor as having a generous spirit. Singh revealed that Dev had been working on his fitness with help from Ajay Devgn and others, showing the supportive network within the industry, though he noted that Dev had gained weight and was struggling with health issues. His statement to the media emphasized Dev’s fundamental kindness, asking people to remember him in their prayers and give him love.
The response from the film fraternity highlights the respect and affection Dev commanded among his peers, despite often playing supporting or antagonistic roles. His ability to maintain strong professional relationships across different regional film industries speaks to his collaborative nature and professional integrity. The fact that established stars like Ajay Devgn were actively helping him with his fitness journey demonstrates the mutual respect that existed within their professional circles. Industry insiders have noted that Dev’s death represents not just the loss of a talented actor, but also of a person who brought positivity and kindness to film sets across the country.
Conclusion
The untimely death of Mukul Dev at 54 marks the end of a remarkable journey that spanned nearly three decades in Indian entertainment, leaving behind a legacy of versatile performances and professional dedication. His passing serves as a stark reminder of the mental health challenges that can affect individuals in the entertainment industry, regardless of their professional success or public recognition. The circumstances of his death, particularly the revelation about his struggle with depression, underscore the importance of mental health awareness and support systems within the film industry. His family, including brother Rahul Dev and daughter Sia Dev, now carries forward his memory while the industry reflects on the contributions of a actor who brought authenticity to every role he undertook.
Dev’s career trajectory from television to pan-Indian cinema exemplifies the possibilities available to dedicated performers willing to cross linguistic and cultural boundaries. His upcoming posthumous appearance in Son of Sardaar 2 will serve as a final testament to his enduring commitment to his craft, even as he battled personal demons. The industry’s collective mourning and the presence of numerous colleagues at his funeral ceremony demonstrate the lasting impact he made on those who worked with him. As the entertainment world bids farewell to Mukul Dev, his diverse body of work across multiple languages and genres ensures that his artistic contributions will continue to be remembered and celebrated by audiences across India.