Mukul Dev’s Hidden Pain: Hansal Mehta Shares Emotional Goodbye

Renowned actor Mukul Dev passed away yesterday at the age of 54, leaving the Indian film industry in a state of shock and mourning. Amid the outpouring of grief, director Hansal Mehta took to social media to express his deep emotional bond with Mukul Dev and reflect on the actor’s mental state during his final days.

Hansal Mehta recalled their last conversation from a few months ago, stating, “The last time we spoke, it was as usual—light-hearted and filled with laughter. But behind that laughter, there was a deep, unspoken sorrow, a loneliness that clearly resonated in his voice. He never shared that pain with us.”

Describing a friendship that spanned many years, Hansal Mehta remembered how their bond was forged over gym workouts, creative discussions, and personal highs and lows. “Mukul’s laughter, the way he narrated stories, that voice... I remember it all. He acted in two of my unreleased films and a TV show. It was during those times that our friendship deepened. We shared both joy and sorrow, always living with the hope that things would eventually get better,” he wrote.

Hansal Mehta also highlighted Mukul Dev’s striking looks and immense talent. “Mukul was incredibly handsome. His mere presence would light up a stadium, and his words could captivate an entire room. He had the kind of beginning many dream of—working with top directors and renowned co-actors. He had the looks, the talent, the background. Yet his career remained a montage of missed opportunities and unrealized success. It turned into a story of ‘what could have been’, a cascade of endless ‘ifs’,” Mehta wrote in a tone of visible anguish.

According to Hansal Mehta, it was these very “ifs” that slowly eroded Mukul Dev’s resilience. “I believe those questions filled him silently with defeat and despair. He often sought solace in alcohol. Behind the visible smile and courage was a man tormented by dreams that never came true,” he stated.

Reflecting on their early collaboration, Hansal Mehta shared that Mukul Dev had brought him the story idea for the 2003 film Omerta. Mukul was proud to see his name in the film’s writing credits. “He would joyfully say that Omerta was an international-level film, and receiving writing credit for it meant a lot to him. It gave him recognition and a sense of honour. We should have done many more great things together,” Mehta wrote.

Hansal Mehta concluded his heartfelt note with a farewell: “Goodbye, my beautiful, wounded, and talented friend. Until we meet again.”

Mukul Dev was known for his roles in films such as Son of Sardaar, R... Rajkumar, and Jai Ho, which brought him closer to audiences across the country.