Filmmaker Hansal Mehta paid a heartfelt tribute to his friend and actor Mukul Dev, who passed away in New Delhi on Friday night. He remembered Dev as a talented, charming soul whose career never quite got the chance it deserved.
Mukul Dev was best known for his roles in films like “Son of Sardaar” and “Jai Ho”. He started his acting career in 1996 opposite Sushmita Sen in “Dastak”.
Mehta shared that Dev had the looks, talent, and early opportunities many actors dream of. But somewhere along the way, he lost momentum, and his career became a string of near-successes and missed chances.
“He had all the makings of a star,” said Mehta. Still, Dev fought a quiet personal battle behind the scenes—one that was often hidden behind his big smile and loud jokes.
Dev also played a big role behind the camera. He gave Hansal Mehta the story for “Omerta”, which became a critical hit in 2017. “That writing credit made him feel seen,” Mehta recalled.
Their last conversation was full of their usual banter, but Mehta sensed a quiet sadness. “Go well, my beautiful, broken, brilliant friend,” he wrote, remembering a man whose light deserved to shine much brighter.