English हिन्दी
Connect with us

Entertainment

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.

Published

on

MukulDev

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.

Continue Reading

Entertainment

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.

Published

on

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.

Continue Reading

Entertainment

Dhurandhar 2 box office collection day 7 crosses Rs 600 crore in India

Dhurandhar 2 continues its strong box office run, crossing Rs 600 crore in India and Rs 1000 crore worldwide within its first week.

Published

on

Dhurandhar 2 review

Ranveer Singh’s film Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge has crossed the Rs 600 crore mark at the India box office within seven days of its release, according to trade estimates. The film has maintained a strong run in both mass centres and urban markets during its first week.

As per trade figures, the film’s India net box office collection stands at around Rs 623 crore after seven days, while the gross domestic collection is estimated to be over Rs 740 crore. The film has also performed strongly in overseas markets, taking its international collection to more than Rs 250 crore. With this, the worldwide box office total has crossed Rs 1,000 crore within the first week of release, as per trade estimates.

Day-wise performance in India

The film opened strongly on March 19 with box office collections of over Rs 100 crore. The film continued to perform well over the next few days, collecting around Rs 80 crore on Day 2 and over Rs 110 crore on Day 3. Collections remained strong over the weekend, followed by an expected drop on weekdays. By Day 7, the film collected around Rs 47 crore, taking the total India net collection past Rs 600 crore.

Overseas performance and comparison

The film has also reported strong performance in overseas markets, particularly in the UK and other key international territories. With the worldwide collection crossing Rs 1,000 crore in the first week, the film is being compared to the fast global box office pace seen by Pushpa 2: The Rule in terms of early box office momentum, according to trade observers.

About the film

Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge is the sequel to the 2025 film Dhurandhar. The sequel features Ranveer Singh along with Arjun Rampal, R. Madhavan and Sanjay Dutt in key roles.

Continue Reading

Entertainment

Dhurandhar 2 review: Ranveer Singh dominates Aditya Dhar’s high-octane sequel

Dhurandhar 2 review explores Ranveer Singh’s standout performance in a violent and layered sequel directed by Aditya Dhar.

Published

on

Dhurandhar 2 review

The release of Dhurandhar 2 has brought back the kind of theatrical frenzy last witnessed during Pathaan, which marked Shah Rukh Khan’s return to cinemas. This time, the spotlight firmly belongs to Ranveer Singh, who headlines the second instalment of Aditya Dhar’s ambitious action franchise.

The sequel builds on the foundation of the first film, amplifying its scale, violence, and emotional depth. Positioned as a revenge-driven narrative, the story centres on Jaskirat Singh Rangi, whose personal tragedy in 2002 sets the tone for the film’s intense journey.

A revenge story rooted in personal loss

Jaskirat, a young man from Pathankot aspiring to join the Indian Army, is pushed into darkness after his father’s murder and the brutal assault on his sisters. His life takes a drastic turn when he is recruited into a covert operation by Ajay Sanyal, played by R Madhavan, along with his associate Sushant Bansal.

Over time, Jaskirat transforms into Hamza Ali Mazari, a lethal operative tasked with dismantling terror networks across Pakistan. The narrative follows his evolution into a ruthless force, balancing emotional vulnerability with extreme brutality.

Ranveer Singh anchors the film

At the core of Dhurandhar 2 is Ranveer Singh’s performance, which stands out for its range and intensity. Whether portraying emotional turmoil or executing violent missions, the actor commands attention throughout.

One of the film’s standout moments features his character in a restrained yet explosive state, delivering a chilling performance that adds to the film’s dramatic weight.

Expanding the universe with political and historical references

The film blends fiction with real-world references, incorporating elements like the 2008 Mumbai attacks, demonetisation, the Uri attack, and the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute. It also introduces characters inspired by real figures, including terror operatives and political personalities.

A cameo reference to Narendra Modi adds another layer to the narrative, reflecting the film’s attempt to merge cinematic storytelling with contemporary political undertones.

Supporting cast adds depth

The film features strong supporting performances, including Arjun Rampal as Major Iqbal, who emerges as a formidable antagonist. However, the absence of a larger role for Akshaye Khanna is noticeable, despite his brief appearance.

Sanjay Dutt appears in an extended cameo, delivering a commanding screen presence. Meanwhile, Madhavan’s dual-layered portrayal adds narrative complexity.

Other actors like Sara Arjun, Gaurav Gera, and Rakesh Bedi contribute effectively, with their characters receiving more clarity compared to the first film.

Music blends multiple eras

The soundtrack of Dhurandhar 2 stands out for its diversity, featuring recreations and classics across decades. Tracks inspired by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Kishore Kumar, and international artist Khaled add a unique musical layer to the film.

A sequel that answers questions but misses the climax high

While the film provides answers to several unresolved questions from the first part, it does not quite match the crescendo of its predecessor. Still, it succeeds in expanding the narrative universe and maintaining audience engagement.

Overall, Dhurandhar 2 is driven by Ranveer Singh’s commanding performance and its bold storytelling approach, making it a must-watch for fans of the franchise.

Continue Reading

Trending

© Copyright 2022 APNLIVE.com