Mukul Dev Death Anniversary: Before Films, Actor Made History With India’s First English TV Serial

There are some careers in Indian television and cinema that feel like they belong to a different era when experimentation on Doordarshan quietly shaped what would later become mainstream entertainment. Mukul Dev’s journey is one of those rare stories, where early television history, unexpected beginnings, and a steady film career all came together in a way that still feels quietly remarkable in hindsight.

The actor, who passed away on May 23, 2025 at the age of 54 after being hospitalised due to health complications, has since been remembered for his work across films and television. His brother Rahul Dev later shared that Mukul’s health had deteriorated over time as he had stopped eating properly and had become emotionally withdrawn.

Long before

he became a familiar face in Hindi and regional cinema, Mukul Dev had already been part of a landmark moment in Indian television history… his debut came with A Mouthful of Sky in 1995, widely regarded as India’s first English-language TV serial.

Also Read:Mukul Dev, Son of Sardaar Fame Actor, Dies At 54

Aired on Doordarshan, the show stood out at a time when Hindi serials dominated the small screen. It brought a very different kind of storytelling to Indian audiences, focusing on urban themes and a more contemporary narrative style that felt unusual for its time.

The series followed five MBA graduates who reconnect after 13 years, only to find themselves entangled in unresolved secrets from their past. What made it even more notable was its ensemble cast, which included Milind Soman, Rahul Bose, R. Madhavan, and Mukul Dev, who played Piyush Raheja in his debut role. After this, he also appeared in the television series Mumkin in 1996.

Looking back, Mukul’s television debut marked the beginning of a long and varied career. He made his Bollywood debut in 1996 with Dastak, where he played ACP Rohit Malhotra alongside Sushmita Sen, who was also stepping into films after her Miss Universe win in 1994.

Over the years, he went on to appear in several films including Qila, Wajood, Mere Do Anmol Ratan, Kohram and Mujhe Meri Biwi Se Bachaao. Gradually, he became a recognisable supporting actor in Hindi cinema, later featuring in popular titles such as Son of Sardaar, R… Rajkumar and Jai Ho. In total, Mukul Dev worked across more than 60 films spanning Hindi, Punjabi, Bengali, Malayalam, Kannada and Telugu industries.

Before entering the world of acting full-time, Mukul Dev also had an entirely different career path. He was a trained pilot and studied at the Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi (IGRUA), even working briefly in aviation before shifting to entertainment.

His early life was shaped by a mix of cultures and influences. Born into a Punjabi family with Afghan cultural roots through his father Hari Dev, a police officer, he grew up speaking languages like Pashto and Persian. One of his earliest brushes with performance came while he was still in school, when he mimicked Michael Jackson for a Doordarshan program in Class 8 — an act that also reportedly became his first paid assignment.

Mukul Dev Kaushal was known for his work across television and film, with a career that stretched across multiple Indian languages and formats. His early television presence included roles in shows like Kahin Diyaa Jale Kahin Jiyaa, Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii, Pyar Zindagi Hai, and hosting Fear Factor India Season 1. He also participated in the dance reality show Kabhi Kabhii Pyaar Kabhi Kabhii Yaar in 2008 and appeared in the historical series 21 Sarfarosh – Saragarhi 1897 in 2018.

In cinema, Mukul was first spotted by Amitabh Bachchan’s ABCL, which had initially planned to launch him in a film titled Naam Kya Hai, though the project was eventually shelved. His debut Dastak marked his official entry into films.

In the years leading up to his passing, he had also completed work on Son of Sardaar 2, which is expected to be his final film appearance. In May 2025, he was hospitalised after falling ill. Despite being moved to intensive care, he passed away in New Delhi on May 23, 2025, at the age of 54.