Bollywood Mourns: Actor Mukul Dev Passes Away at 54 After Battling Health Issues

New Delhi – The Indian film industry is in mourning following the untimely demise of veteran actor Mukul Dev, who passed away on May 23 at the age of 54. Known for his versatile performances in films like 'Son of Sardaar', 'Jai Ho', and 'R... Rajkumar', Dev's death has left a void in Bollywood.According to reports, Dev had been unwell for the past 8 to 10 days and was admitted to a hospital in Delhi, where he passed away peacefully in his sleep. Dev's close friend, actor Vindu Dara Singh, revealed that the actor had been battling depression following the death of his mother. "He was deeply affected by his mother's passing and had stopped taking care of his health," Singh stated. 

Born in Delhi, Mukul Dev began his acting career in 1996 with the television serial 'Mumkin' and made his film debut the same year in Mahesh Bhatt's thriller 'Dastak', opposite Sushmita Sen. Over the years, he showcased his talent across various languages, including Hindi, Punjabi, and Telugu cinema.Dev's personal life saw its share of challenges. He was previously married to Shilpa Dev, with whom he had a daughter, Sia. The couple separated in 2005, and following the deaths of his parents, Dev became increasingly reclusive.Tributes have poured in from across the film industry. Actress Sushmita Sen, who shared the screen with Dev in 'Dastak', wrote on Instagram, "Mukul Dev. Rest in peace, you wonderful soul." Ajay Devgn, Dev's co-star in 'Son of Sardaar', expressed his shock, stating, "Still trying to process it... Mukul, it's all too soon and sudden."Actor Manoj Bajpayee also shared his grief, saying, "Mukul was a brother in spirit, an artist whose warmth and passion were unmatched. Gone too soon, too young." In a poignant Instagram post dated February 26, Dev shared a video from the cockpit of an aircraft, captioned, "And if your head explodes with dark forebodings too... I'll see you on the dark side of the moon." The post has since been revisited by fans, who see it as a reflection of his state of mind.

Mukul Dev is survived by his daughter, Sia, and his siblings, including actor Rahul Dev. The family has issued a statement expressing their profound grief and requesting privacy during this difficult time. 

As the industry remembers Mukul Dev's contributions to cinema, his legacy as a talented and dedicated actor will continue to inspire future generations.