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Veteran actor Mukul Dev dies at 54, Bollywood left in shock

Mukul Dev, a respected name in Indian cinema and television, passed away at 54. His friend Deepshikha Nagpal and the industry express their grief.

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Bollywood actor Mukul Dev, widely recognized for his impactful performances in films like R… Rajkumar, Son of Sardaar, and Jai Ho, passed away on Friday night at the age of 54. The news of his death has sent ripples of grief across the film fraternity. As of now, the exact cause of his sudden demise has not been disclosed, and a formal statement from his family is still awaited.

Deepshikha Nagpal’s emotional farewell: “Still can’t believe it”

Actress Deepshikha Nagpal, a long-time friend and co-star of Mukul Dev, was among the first to confirm the tragic news. Taking to social media, she shared an emotional tribute through an old photograph, captioned simply: “Can’t believe this. RIP.”

Speaking to a media outlet, Deepshikha revealed that she and Mukul shared a close bond that went beyond professional camaraderie. “We had this group. We used to chat often. But this time, there was no sign he was unwell,” she said, visibly shaken. She added that even after hearing the news, she called his number, hoping it was just another rumor. “I still feel it must be fake news,” she said, echoing the disbelief shared by many fans and colleagues.

Deepshikha also clarified that while there were whispers of Mukul being admitted to the ICU, no verified medical details had been confirmed. “Nobody knows the reason behind his sudden death. So no point in spreading rumors. The worst thing is—he’s no more. That’s the biggest loss,” she said.

A career marked by versatility, from cockpit to camera

Born in New Delhi into a Punjabi family, Mukul Dev was the younger brother of actor Rahul Dev. His father, Hari Dev, served as an assistant commissioner of police and introduced young Mukul to Afghan culture—leading to his fluency in Pashto and Persian.

Interestingly, before acting beckoned, Mukul had trained to be a pilot at the prestigious Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi. However, the lure of performance led him to the world of television and cinema.

His first tryst with the stage happened while he was still in school, where he performed a Michael Jackson impersonation in a Doordarshan-sponsored dance show—an act that earned him his first pay cheque and sparked a life-long love for the performing arts.

From TV’s Vijay Pandey to Bollywood’s versatile artist

Mukul began his television journey in 1996 with the serial Mumkin, where he portrayed Vijay Pandey. His charming screen presence quickly made him a household name. He went on to host the Bollywood countdown comedy show Ek Se Badh Kar Ek and fronted the first season of Fear Factor India, showcasing his range beyond acting.

His cinematic debut came with Dastak, where he played ACP Rohit Malhotra—a film that also introduced Miss Universe Sushmita Sen to Bollywood. Over the years, he became known for roles that spanned genres—from comedy to action, thrillers to drama.

Among his notable works were appearances in Son of Sardaar, R… Rajkumar, Jai Ho, and more recently, Anth The End, which marked his final screen outing.

Remembering a life lived with purpose

While Mukul Dev may have kept a relatively low profile in recent years, his contributions to the industry were never forgotten. He was respected not only for his talent but also for his humility and warm personality.

As tributes continue to pour in from industry peers and fans alike, one thing remains clear: the Indian film industry has lost a multifaceted talent far too soon.

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Dhurandhar raw and uncut version set for digital premiere on two major streaming platforms

In a major surprise for action film fans, the raw and uncut version of Dhurandhar is launching tomorrow across both Netflix India and JioHotstar with uncensored footage and multiple audio tracks.

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Indian cinema enthusiasts are in for an unexpected treat as the highly anticipated unfiltered version of the blockbuster film Dhurandhar is officially heading to digital platforms. In a surprising double-platform strategy, the raw and uncut cut of the action-packed movie is scheduled to begin streaming on both Netflix India and JioHotstar.

The sudden announcement from the streaming platforms has sparked significant buzz across social media. While much of the recent digital speculation has centered around the streaming schedule for the sequel, media updates have confirmed that this specific raw release applies to the franchise’s first installment. Starting tomorrow, viewers in India will be able to watch the unfiltered version of the movie in multiple regional languages, including Hindi, Telugu, and Tamil, complete with intense gore sequences and raw dialogues that were previously trimmed.

Dual-platform digital release brings uncensored action

The announcement has cleared up initial confusion among fans who were anticipating updates regarding the franchise. While international audiences have seen varied streaming distributions for the franchise, viewers within India will uniquely get access to the first film’s “undekha” (unseen) cut simultaneously on two separate streaming applications.

The standard digital premiere for the second installment, Dhurandhar 2, remains locked for June 4, 2026, on JioHotstar and will mirror the standard censored cut that was showcased during its theatrical run. However, for fans seeking an uncompromising, high-octane cinematic experience, the original film’s extended, raw edition arrives online tomorrow on both competing streaming services.

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Dhurandhar 2 bags massive OTT deal, likely to stream on JioHotstar after IPL 2026

Dhurandhar 2 lands a Rs 155 crore OTT deal with JioHotstar and may release after IPL 2026.

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The upcoming Bollywood film Dhurandhar 2 has reportedly secured a significant OTT deal, underlining its strong market buzz ahead of release. According to media reports, the film’s digital streaming rights have been acquired by JioHotstar for approximately Rs 155 crore.

The makers are expected to follow a strategic release plan, with the film likely to premiere on the platform after the conclusion of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season. JioHotstar also holds digital streaming rights for the tournament, and the post-IPL window is seen as an effort to retain audience engagement.

Reports suggest that the film could arrive on OTT in late May or early June 2026, depending on its theatrical release schedule and run. However, there is no official confirmation yet regarding the exact streaming date.

Industry observers note that the reported deal highlights the growing demand for big-ticket Hindi films among streaming platforms, especially those expected to draw strong audience interest.

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Ramayana teaser unveiled as Ranbir Kapoor appears as Rama in Nitesh Tiwari’s epic film

The teaser of Ramayana has been released, showing Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama. The film will release in two parts in 2026 and 2027.

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Ramayana Teaser

The teaser of Nitesh Tiwari’s upcoming film Ramayana has been released, offering the first glimpse of Ranbir Kapoor in the role of Lord Rama. The film, which is planned as a two-part cinematic project, is scheduled for a Diwali release later this year.

The teaser shows several key moments, including scenes from the coronation and the exile period in the forest of Panchavati. Ranbir Kapoor appears in the role of Rama with a calm and composed presence. The teaser also briefly shows Yash in the role of Ravan towards the end.

Ahead of the teaser launch, Alia Bhatt shared a video message on social media asking audiences to support the project and Ranbir Kapoor’s work on the film. In the video, she said the “Rama unit” video would be released and encouraged audiences to watch and support the film.

Budget and scale

Producer Namit Malhotra said the film has been in development for six to seven years and is being made on a large scale. According to him, the total budget for both parts is around $500 million, which is over Rs 4,000 crore combined.

He said the film is being made for a global audience and aims to present the epic on a large cinematic scale while remaining efficient in production.

Music collaboration

The film’s music is being composed through a collaboration between AR Rahman and Hans Zimmer. Rahman said working on a project based on such an iconic epic is challenging, as the team wants to present something new while respecting the importance of the story.

Release plan and cast

The film will be released in two parts. The first part is scheduled for a worldwide release in October 2026 ahead of Diwali, while the second part is planned for release during Diwali 2027.

Apart from Ranbir Kapoor, the film also stars Sai Pallavi, Sunny Deol, Ravi Dubey and Yash in important roles.

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