Actor Mukul Dev’s real cause of death: He had not eaten anything in his last 5 days, loneliness..., says brother Rahul Dev

The unexpected death of actor Mukul Dev at the age of 54 on the night of May 23 sent shockwaves through the entertainment world. His passing not only triggered a wave of heartfelt tributes but also sparked speculation about his mental and physical well-being in the days leading up to his demise. In an open and deeply personal conversation with ETimes, his elder brother, actor Rahul Dev, shared intimate insights into Mukul’s final days and the emotional struggles he faced.

Silent Battles and Fading Spirit

Rahul revealed that Mukul spent over eight days in intensive care before his passing. According to Rahul, the root cause was his brother's neglect of personal health, especially his eating habits. During his last days, Mukul had stopped consuming food altogether, which reflected a complete loss of interest in life. Despite being offered work, he consistently turned down projects. His spark seemed to have dimmed.

"He was in the ICU for eight and a half days. Medically, it was a result of poor eating habits. In the last four or five days, he had stopped eating altogether. Of course, he felt lonely, and he had lost interest in life. Usko zindagi jeene ka jazba nahi tha.." he revealed.

Mukul had moved to Delhi in 2019 to care for their ill father, who sadly passed the same year. The loss of their mother in 2023 further deepened their emotional wounds. Rahul confessed that only after completing the last rites had the weight of this loss started to fully register—a grief he knows will grow with time.

Withdrawal and the Solitude of Creativity

Rahul described how Mukul began retreating into himself, eventually turning to writing. Though a deeply creative pursuit, writing also became a space of isolation for Mukul. He found temporary solace in storytelling but lacked the human connection he truly craved. Living alone and missing his daughter, who wasn’t with him, only intensified his emotional isolation.

Rahul repeatedly encouraged Mukul to return to the acting world, believing that his brother still had much to offer. Despite being physically fit enough to run half-marathons, Mukul had visibly let himself go — a reflection of his inner disengagement.

Addressing Rumours and the Reality of His Struggles

Rahul also took the opportunity to respond to those who commented on Mukul’s supposed poor health or depression without being part of his life. Many of these individuals, he stated, were never in contact with Mukul during his most vulnerable years, from 2019 to 2024. While Mukul had two upcoming film projects and had recently worked in the UK for Son of Sardaar, it was clear he was grappling with more than just professional hurdles.

The Pain of Being Alone

Both Rahul and Mukul had faced life after losing their partners—Rahul as a widower and Mukul after a separation. Rahul reflected on how the loneliness that follows such losses can become unbearable. Despite Mukul’s naturally social and charismatic personality, his later years were marked by isolation. He never remarried, never sought new companionship, and instead, closed himself off more deeply over time.

Remembering the Real Mukul

Though the end of Mukul’s life was marked by solitude, Rahul prefers to hold onto brighter memories. He recalls his brother as intelligent, witty, charming, and undoubtedly talented—someone who could memorise complex lines in minutes and captivate people effortlessly. A memory from childhood stood out—where Mukul jokingly promised to take their parents around the world once they were blind, reflecting his mix of humour and affection.

Rahul said he decided to honour his brother as a multi-talented man who brought laughter, brilliance, and energy into every space he entered. That vibrant, sensitive spirit is the legacy Rahul wants the world to remember.

Who Was Mukul Dev?

Actor Mukul Dev, widely recognised for his work across Hindi, Punjabi, and South Indian cinema as well as television, passed away last month at the age of 54, leaving the Indian entertainment industry in mourning. Beginning his career in 1996 with the TV show Mumkin and making his film debut the same year in Dastak alongside Sushmita Sen, Mukul quickly gained recognition for his versatility.

Over the years, he featured in films spanning multiple languages, including Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Bengali, and Malayalam. Known for his roles in popular films like Son of Sardaar, R...Rajkumar, and Jai Ho, he built a diverse and impactful filmography. Apart from acting, he also ventured into screenwriting and co-wrote Hansal Mehta’s critically acclaimed 2017 film Omerta, starring Rajkummar Rao. News of his death prompted an outpouring of grief from colleagues and fans, who remembered him as a talented and multifaceted artist.

'Son of Sardaar 2' marks his final film appearance. The movie, which is headlined by Ajay Devgn, Sanjay Dutt, Mrunal Thakur, Kubbra Sait, Ravi Kishan, etc., has been helmed by Vijay Kumar Arora, who is known for directing Punjabi films such as 'Guddiyan Patole', 'Kali Jotta', 'Godday Godday Chaa,' etc. The movie is a spiritual to the 2012 blockbuster 'Son Of Sardaar'. In the movie, Dev steps into the shoes of a character called Tony Sandhu.

About brother Rahul Dev

Rahul Dev was previously married to Rina. The actor had tied the knot to her in 1998. In 2009, the actor lost his wife to cancer. He has a son with her, Siddharth Dev and raised him single-handedly. Speaking to Connect FM Canada, Rahul Dev had once opened up about the challenges of single parenting, sharing that it was far from easy. After his wife’s passing, he found himself trying to be both mother and father, often struggling to manage his emotions. He recalled feeling a deep sense of insecurity during school meetings, where he rarely saw other fathers present. Dev also reflected on the emotional toll of restarting life as a widower, describing it as a painful experience that is often oversimplified in films. However, he found love again, in model-actress Mugdha Godse, who is known for her exceptional performance in her debut movie, Fashion.