Mukul Dev’s untimely demise on the night of May 23, 2025, is still a matter of shock and melancholy. While his family is going through the pain of losing the 54-year-old actor, Mukul’s close friend and director, Hansal Mehta, penned down a heartfelt note paying tribute to the late actor. Hansal wrote a long note on his Instagram handle, mentioning how Mukul’s career remained a collection of missed opportunities and near breakthroughs.
Hansal Mehta remembers his close friend and actor, Mukul Dev
Filmmaker, Hansal Mehta remembered the special bond that he used to share with the late actor, Mukul. Taking to his IG handle, he revealed Mukul acted in two of his unreleased films and TV shows. The director also recalled about Mukul’s persona. In his words:
“I will miss Mukul deeply. His booming laughter at our inside jokes, his unmatched gift for storytelling, that unmistakable voice… He acted in two of my unreleased films and a TV show—somehow in the shadows of it all, we became very close. We bonded over booze, broken hearts, and the foolish hope that things would one day make sense. For years, we were gym buddies, pushing each other through reps and regrets.”
Hansal Mehta calls Mukul Dev’s career a collection of missed opportunities
In the heartfelt note, Hansal wrote about Mukul’s career. He praised Mukul’s acting talent. The director shared how Mukul’s presence lighted up everyone present in the room. Shedding light on Mukul’s acting career, Hansal penned down:
“Mukul was devastatingly handsome—his presence could light up a stadium, his charm could hold a room in thrall. He had what most people only dream of: a dream launch, big directors, prominent co-stars. He had the look, the talent, the pedigree. But his career became a collection of missed opportunities and near breakthroughs.”
Further the director added how Mukul struggled to make his place in the industry. He also mentioned how the late actor found solace in boozing to forget the pain in his life. Hansal wrote that behind the lovable character of Mukul, a struggling man was trying to reconcile with dreams from where he was excluded.
Hansal Mehta recalls Mukul Dev’s reaction when he was credited for the former’s film, Omerta
In the note, Hansal recalled how Mukul reacted after being credited for the former’s film, Omerta. For the unversed, the 2017 film, Omerta starred Rajkumar Rao and was directed by Hansal Mehta. Hansal, in the note, also mentioned that in 2003, Mukul was the one who gave him the background story for his film, Omerta. The director also praised the late actor for his writing skills. Recalling the joy in Mukul’s voice, Hansal mentioned how the late actor used to chuckle and say, “Hansie, kya film banayi yaar. International. Soch bhi nahi sakta tha ki aisi film mein I’d have a writing credit. This is so good for me.” In the note, Hansal wrote that the film’s credits gave him respect and validation.
Hansal Mehta pays tribute to the late actor, Mukul Dev
In the last portion of the note, Hansal recalled his and Mukul’s last meeting. He also mentioned the actor’s state of mind, which was not at all good. The director ends the note by paying tribute to the versatile actor. The last portion of Hansal’s note can be read as:
“The last time we spoke was a few months ago. The same gregarious laugh, the same fake Feroz Khan accent we always used with each other. But behind the laughter, I sensed something heavier—a quiet sadness, an air of disappointment, a kind of loneliness he never really shared. Go well, my beautiful, broken, brilliant friend. Phir milenge.”
Team BollywoodShaadis offers heartfelt condolences to Mukul Dev’s family during this time of grief.
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