Mukul Dev wasn't at peace after father's passing, relied on mother during period of isolation
Actor Mukul Dev, who passed away last night in New Delhi, has left the film and television industry, and his many well-wishers, shocked and heartbroken. The 54-year-old actor was known for his versatile roles across cinema and television, and his untimely death has cast a shadow of grief. Close friend and co-star Vindu Dara Singh, who worked with Mukul in films like Son of Sardaar, opened up about the actor's recent struggles. 'After the death of his parents, Mukul had withdrawn into himself.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,' Vindu told ETimes.
Mukul shared a deep bond with his parents, and spoke about them often in his interviews. His father, Hari Dev, a respected Assistant Commissioner of Police, passed away in 2019. In a 2020 interview with journalist Nandini Sen, Mukul had candidly admitted that he hadn't found peace within himself. 'I have not really mastered the art of being at peace with everything happening around me,' he said. 'They say that when you are at peace with everything, you start seeing things as they are… that's when you are enlightened. Relationships are a sure-fire test of that.'
In a conversation with Spotboye, Mukul spoke at length about the influence his father had on his life and career. 'My father instilled many good qualities in both of us. For a long time, he wanted both of us to join the Indian Police Service, but we chose our own paths,' he said. One of his most vivid memories was of his father's bravery, in a conversation with Eastern Eye: 'I will never forget my father receiving gallantry awards for his courage. There was one particular award he received for saving an entire police station in Daryaganj, which was surrounded and about to be set on fire. He went there alone, managed the mob, and was honoured with a gallantry award for that. That's something I remember very well.'
Also Read | Mukul Dev, the versatile actor who turned to TV after being abandoned by Bollywood: 'My career was in a lurch…'
Mukul was equally vocal about the spiritual strength he drew from his mother. In several interviews, he credited her for introducing him to Buddhism, the Lotus Sutra, and the Mystic Law. During the pandemic, he shared fond memories of eating his mother's home-cooked Punjabi food, one of the few comforts during a period of personal isolation. Speaking about her unwavering support, Mukul once said: 'Meri mother ko toh jo bhi main karta hoon achha lagta hai. Unko lagta hai ki main Shri Amitabh Bachchan se bhi achha hoon.' (Whatever I do, my mother thinks it's good. She believes I'm even better than Shri Amitabh Bachchan.) He had also once shared an Instagram post last year remembering his mother, saying, 'Souls we all are, always meeting you on the other side. Will miss you until then, Ma.'
Shared post on Time
His brother, actor Rahul Dev, confirmed the news of his passing on Instagram, posting an emotional message: 'Our brother Mukul Dev passed away peacefully at New Delhi last night… He's survived by his daughter, Sia Dev. Missed by siblings Rashmi Kaushal, Rahul Dev, and nephew Sidhant Dev. Cremation at 5 PM.'
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