Pooja Bhatt honours Mukul Dev on first death anniversary with emotional tribute
Synopsis
A year after Bollywood actor Mukul Dev passed away in New Delhi at 54, filmmaker Pooja Bhatt’s social media tribute — quoting Thomas Campbell and sharing a rare portrait — has brought renewed attention to a career that spanned ‘Dastak’ in 1996 to the posthumous ‘Son of Sardaar 2’. The two were never on screen together, yet their off-screen friendship clearly ran deep.
Key Takeaways
Pooja Bhatt paid tribute to Mukul Dev on his first death anniversary, 23 May 2025 , via social media.
Mukul Dev passed away in New Delhi at the age of 54 after battling health complications.
He debuted in Bollywood with ‘Dastak’ (1996) , alongside Sushmita Sen’s acting debut.
His final film, ‘Son of Sardaar 2’ , was released posthumously after he completed shooting before his death.
He is survived by his brother, actor-model Rahul Dev , who announced his passing.
Actress and filmmaker Pooja Bhatt paid a moving tribute to the late actor Mukul Dev on his first death anniversary, 23 May 2025, sharing a heartfelt message on social media alongside a striking black-and-white photograph of the actor. The post drew attention to a friendship that flourished off-screen, even though the two never shared a frame together in any film.
The Tribute Post
In the monochrome portrait, Mukul Dev is seen in a black traditional outfit, leaning against a ladder, his signature long hair and rugged beard on full display. Pooja captioned the image with a line from poet Thomas Campbell: ‘To live in hearts we leave behind, is not to die.’ She added, ‘I love you my friend.. Until we meet again.. Mukul Dev — September 17, 1970 – May 23, 2025.’
Who Was Mukul Dev
Mukul Dev was a recognisable face in Bollywood through the 1990s and early 2000s. He made his film debut in 1996 with ‘Dastak’, the same film that marked former Miss Universe Sushmita Sen’s acting debut. Over the years, he built a reputation for versatile performances across films including ‘Wajood’, ‘Kohram’, ‘Yamla Pagla Deewana’, ‘Son of Sardaar’, ‘R... Rajkumar’, and ‘Jai Ho’. He also appeared in several television shows and music albums throughout his career.
Family and Final Days
Mukul Dev was the younger brother of actor-model Rahul Dev, who confirmed his passing and shared details of the funeral. According to Rahul Dev, Mukul had been battling health complications for several days before he passed away in New Delhi at the age of 54. Shortly before his death, Mukul had completed shooting for ‘Son of Sardaar 2’, which subsequently became his final release — a posthumous one.
A Friendship Beyond the Screen
Pooja Bhatt and Mukul Dev were never cast together in any film, yet those who knew them described their bond as one of genuine warmth and mutual respect. Pooja’s anniversary tribute underscores how deeply personal ties in the industry often exist away from the spotlight. This is the first public commemoration by a Bollywood colleague on the one-year mark of his passing.
Point of View
Genuine talent, but never quite the marquee billing that would guarantee lasting public memory. Pooja Bhatt’s tribute, small in scale but pointed in sentiment, raises a broader question about how the industry remembers its supporting pillars. The mainstream conversation around ‘Son of Sardaar 2’ largely bypassed the fact that one of its cast members did not live to see its release. That silence says more about Bollywood’s short memory than it does about Mukul Dev’s contribution.
NationPress
8 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Mukul Dev pass away?
Mukul Dev passed away on 23 May 2025 in New Delhi at the age of 54, after battling health complications for several days. His brother, actor-model Rahul Dev, confirmed the news and shared funeral details.
How did Pooja Bhatt pay tribute to Mukul Dev?
Pooja Bhatt shared a black-and-white portrait of Mukul Dev on social media on his first death anniversary, captioning it with a Thomas Campbell quote and a personal message. The two were close friends off-screen despite never having acted together in a film.
What was Mukul Dev’s last film?
Mukul Dev’s last film was ‘Son of Sardaar 2’, which he had completed shooting before his death and was released posthumously. He had earlier appeared in the original ‘Son of Sardaar’ as well.
Which was Mukul Dev’s debut film?
Mukul Dev made his Bollywood debut with the 1996 film ‘Dastak’, which also marked former Miss Universe Sushmita Sen’s acting debut. The film helped establish him as a recognisable face in the industry.
Who is Rahul Dev in relation to Mukul Dev?
Rahul Dev is Mukul Dev’s elder brother and a well-known actor-model in the Indian entertainment industry. He announced Mukul’s passing and shared an emotional statement remembering him after his death in May 2025.
