Mukul Dev Passes away: All you need to know about the actor, his family and film career

Mukul Dev, a multifaceted Indian actor known for his work across Hindi, Punjabi, Bengali, and Telugu cinema, passed away at the age of 54, leaving behind a legacy that spans over two decades. With a career marked by versatility and depth, he earned recognition for playing everything from intense villains to comic and dramatic roles with equal finesse. Beyond the screen, Mukul had strong ties to the film industry through his family and close relationships. Here’s a closer look at the late actor’s life, career milestones, and lesser-known facts that shaped his journey.

Before Mukul Dev made his debut as an actor, he was a trained commercial pilot and an aviation trainer. He studied at the Indira Gandhi Institute of Aeronautics and worked in the aviation industry. He decided to switch careers due to uncertainty in the field. Mukul made his Bollywood debut, with Dastak, when Mahesh Bhatt discovered him.

Mukul was known for being multilingual. He showcased his versatility by acting in over 60 films across various Indian languages, including Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Punjabi, Kannada, Malayalam, Bengali. When he was in 8th Grade, he received his first pay-check for impersonating Michael Jackson in a dance show organised by Doordarshan.

Mukul Dev was born into a Punjabi family in New Delhi. His father, Hari Dev was a retired public servant, who served as an Assistant Commissioner of Police. He passed away at the age of 91, in 2019. Though there isn’t much information about his mother, but Anup Kaushal was a teacher by profession. The actor also has an elder brother that he left behind, Rahul Dev. Rahul Dev is a well-known actor and model in the Indian entertainment industry, often playing roles that highlights his rugged looks and intense personality.

Mukul Dev was married to Shilpa Dev. The couple share a daughter, Sia Dev, together. They separated in 2005, after which Shilpa left with their daughter. Despite the distance, Mukul remained in contact with his daughter. He was a doting father, often sharing social media posts, on her birthday. In December, 2022, he shared a heartfelt birthday message for her on Instagram, celebrating her 20th birthday.

Mukul Dev shared a long-standing friendship with Bollywood superstar, Shah Rukh Khan, which they often described as ‘old-school bro connection.’ Their connection goes back to their school days at St. Columba’s School, which hints at the reason behind the name. Mukul also shared close relations with Ajay Devgn, with whom he co-starred with in Son of Sardar. Vikram Bhatt, the director of Dastak, Mukul’s debut film was also a good friend, who praised his charm and captivating presence on set. Vindu Dara Singh also shared a close friendship with the actor, having worked together in Son of Sardar.