00:00Namaskar, and welcome to Box Office Studios, your trusted window into the world of cinema.
00:16I'm Shibnath, and today's bulletin opens with a heavy heart.
00:20The Indian film industry has lost one of its most versatile and beloved actors, Mukul Dev.
00:26Known for his depth, dignity, and dedication to his craft, Mukul's untimely passing has left Bollywood reeling.
00:34Join us as we remember the man behind the unforgettable performances, and the quiet pain behind his graceful smile.
00:56The Indian film industry is mourning the untimely death of veteran actor Mukul Dev,
01:16who passed away in New Delhi on Friday, May 23rd, 2025, at the age of 54.
01:24His death, attributed to declining health and deep emotional turmoil, has shocked fans and colleagues alike.
01:31Known for his roles in films like Son of Sardar, Yamla Pagla Diwana, and Jai Ho,
01:37Mukul's sudden passing has cast a somber shadow across Bollywood.
01:40Mukul Dev's health had reportedly been deteriorating over the last 8 to 10 days before his passing.
01:46Mukul Dev's health had reportedly been deteriorating over the last 8 to 10 days before his passing.
02:10Mukul Dev's health had reportedly been deteriorating over the last 8 to 10 days before his passing.
02:20His close friend and actor, Vindu Dharas Singh, revealed that Mukul was never the same after the death of his mother.
02:29He was deeply depressed, stopped taking care of his health, and became increasingly isolated, Vindu shared.
02:34Vindu said that Mukul was never the same after the death of his mother.
02:40He would start drinking, chewing gutka.
02:50He just couldn't cope. There was no one around to control him.
02:53This emotional breakdown followed an earlier tragedy.
02:58The passing of his father, Assistant Commissioner of Police Hari Dev, in 2019.
03:05Mukul had once spoken with admiration and pride about his father's bravery and influence on his father.
03:10His mother, however, was his emotional anchor.
03:15She had introduced him to Buddhism and the teachings of the mystic law, which he credited for grounding him spiritually.
03:22But her passing left a void too deep to fill.
03:26Mukul had once said in an interview,
03:29I haven't really mastered the art of being at peace with everything happening around me.
03:34Mukul began his career in 1996 with the film Dastak, co-starring Sushmita Sen.
03:40He transitioned from television to movies seamlessly, taking on diverse roles across Hindi, Punjabi, Bengali and Telugu cinema.
03:49Over the decades, he earned a reputation for versatility, humility and dedication to his craft.
04:12Actress Rituparna Sengupta, who worked with him in the Bengali film Abhisandhi, recalled how he earnestly tried to learn Bengali and fine-tune his pronunciation.
04:23He was so attentive and hard-working.
04:26I just can't believe he's gone, she said, though he often played supporting characters.
04:31Mukul's performances left a lasting impact.
04:34His role as Tony Singh Sandhu in Son of Sardar was widely appreciated.
04:40The film was a major box office success, earning over 161 crores globally.
04:46Mukul had just completed shooting for Son of Sardar 2, which is now expected to be his final film.
04:52Vindu Dara Singh noted with heartbreak,
04:57The sad part is, everyone will laugh and clap at his scenes, but he won't be there to witness the applause.
05:03Mukul's brother, actor Rahul Dev, performed the last rites on May 24th at Dayanand Muktidam in Delhi's Nizamuddin area.
05:12Emotional visuals from the funeral, where Rahul was seen surrounded by family and friends, quickly went viral.
05:38The loss was deeply personal for Rahul, who himself had lost his wife to cancer years ago.
05:45In an earlier interview, Rahul had emphasized the importance of valuing life and the human body, calling it a very rare blessing.
05:53Mukul is survived by his daughter, Sia Dev, from his marriage to Shilpa Dev, and siblings Rahul Dev and Rashmi Kaushal.
06:01Unfortunately, Sia was not living with him at the time of his death, adding to his sense of loneliness, according to close friends.
06:09Tributes poured in from across the entertainment industry.
06:12Actor Manoj Bajbhai, who starred with Mukul in Dastak, posted a moving message.
06:18It's impossible to put into words what I'm feeling. Mukul was a brother in spirit, gone too soon, too young. Om Shanti.
06:28Aktor Sonu Sud tweeted, RIP Mukul Bai, you were a gem, we'll always miss you.
06:51Arshad Warsi, Tusha Kapoor, and Neil Nitin Mukesh also expressed deep sorrow.
06:58Actress Deipshika Nagpal, a longtime friend, posted an emotional video, stating,
07:04You will be missed. I will miss your voice notes. May God give strength to his family.
07:21Kunal Kohli, filmmaker and friend, remembered a joyful holiday in Dalhousie before either had entered the film industry.
07:49He was full of life back then. I can't believe he's gone, he wrote.
07:54Veteran actor Vindu Darasingh shared a throwback video and noted,
07:59Son of Sardar 2 will be his swan song. He will spread joy to viewers one last time.
08:05Despite the glamorous sheen of showbiz, Mukul Dev's story is a tragic reminder of the emotional fragility many actors face behind the curtain.
08:13Friends close to him emphasized how fame couldn't shield him from loneliness and grief.
08:18His struggle with mental health, aggravated by isolation and the loss of loved ones, became a silent battle he couldn't overcome.
08:25In a previous interview, Mukul had spoken about the illusion of peace and how true understanding requires internal harmony.
08:33They say when you are at peace, you see things clearly. But I haven't reached that state, he had admitted.
08:41Today, those words echo with haunting clarity. As the film industry prepares for the release of Son of Sardar 2, there will be a lingering absence.
08:50An invisible seat Mukul should have filled. His death is not just the end of a career, but the loss of a gentle soul who gave his all, even when the world didn't notice his pain.
09:03Mukul Dev may be gone, but the warmth, humor and humanity he brought to his roles and to those who knew him, will remain etched in memory.
09:12That was our tribute to Mukul Dev, an artist of immense talent and a soul weighed down by sorrow.
09:19In remembering him, we honor not just his work, but his humanity.
09:24At Box Office Studios, we salute the legacy he leaves behind and the quiet battles he fought.
09:30Until next time, take care of yourselves and those around you.
09:33This is Shibnath, signing off. Stay safe, stay cinema bound. Rest in peace Mukul.
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