Bollywood actor, Mukul Dev, most popularly known for his role of ‘Tony Sandhu’ in Son Of Sardaar, passed away on the night of May 23, 2025. As he left a void in the various film industries he worked in, such as Hindi, Punjabi, Telugu, Bengali and more, people are reminiscing about his popular initial films and TV shows.
Most people are aware of the fact that Mukul Dev made his debut in Mahesh Bhatt’s Dastak. However, very few know that the actor was first signed by Amitabh Bachchan’s production company. Though the movie remained unreleased forever, Mukul had fondly talked about his film debut with Amitabh Bachchan’s production house that could never be. Read on to find out what he had said.
Jaya Bachchan signed Mukul Dev for his debut movie
Mukul Dev had opened up about his first debut film that could never see the light of the day in an interview with Lehren TV. The actor said that Jaya Bachchan had called him to talk about offering him a film with Amitabh Bachchan’s production company, ABCL (Amitabh Bachchan Corporation Limited). Mukul had been shocked by the call and thought that it might have been a prank. In the interview, he revealed that he even asked Jaya Bachchan:
“Kaun bol raha hai? Mere saath mazak kyon kar rahe hai?”.
Mukul Dev was given a signing amount of Rs. 75000
Mukul Dev, in the same interview, had talked about meeting with Jaya Bachchan after the initial phone call. The actor was signed for an ABCL film by Jaya, who offered him Rs. 75000 as the signing amount. The producer had told Mukul that they were making three films and they were not sure which one he would be doing, but the actor was sure to be debuting with one of those films. Talking about his meeting with Jaya Bachchan, Mukul revealed what he talked with the veteran actress and said:
“My first income was Rs. 75,000 and they were given by Jaya Bachchan for the ABCL film. When she met me she had said, ‘I want to sign you. We are making three films and you are doing at least one film with us among the three films that we are producing. I don’t know which of these films you will do but you will do a film with us.’”
Mukul Dev debuted with the movie, Naam Kya Hai, but it remained unreleased
The film that Mukul Dev signed with ABCL was Naam Kya Hai. He starred as the lead actor in the movie, and the shoot was completed. The film was also ready to be released, but it was unfortunately shelved due to the financial problems faced by ABCL productions during those times. Along with Naam Kya Hai, the other movies produced by Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan were also canned due to the financial crisis. In an interview with Bollywood Planet, Mukul talked about the unreleased film and said:
“Yes, the film was complete but it could never get a release for itself. ABCL was going through a financial crisis and a couple of other films that were produced by the company during that time did not release.”
Mukul Dev finally made his debut with Mahesh Bhatt’s film, Dastak
Even though Mukul Dev’s first Bollywood appearance in the ABCL movie was canned, the actor fortunately got another chance with Mahesh Bhatt. The actor starred in the 1996 movie called, Dastak, opposite Sushmita Sen. This film marked the debut of both the main leads. Talking with Hindustan Times, Mukul had revealed how he had scored his debut with Mahesh Bhatt. Even though Naam Kya Hai was shelved, the promos were out on TV, and the Dastak filmmaker had noticed Mukul Dev in them, which played in favour of the actor.
Mukul Dev had made a name for himself in the TV and film industry
The departed actor, Mukul Dev was popular for his negative roles in Hindi TV shows. He had made a name for himself through his roles in popular daily soaps such as Mumkin, Kutumb, Kahani Ghar Ghar Ki and more. Mukul was also well-known for his performance in Son of Sardaar and Jai Ho. His last project was Son of Sardaar 2, where the actor will make his last silver screen appearance posthumously.
Rest in peace, Mukul Dev.
Also Read: Mukul Dev’s Last IG Post Before Death Spoke Of ‘Dark Forebodings’, Penned, ‘If Your Head Explodes..’