Rahul Dev opens up on brother Mukul Dev’s passing, losing parents and wife: ‘It’s been tricky, if I put it mildly’

Actor Rahul Dev, who lost his younger brother and actor Mukul Dev on May 23, 2025, in New Delhi at the age of 54 due to prolonged health issues, has shared his grief in a new interview. The actor, who has already endured the loss of his wife and parents, admitted that this new tragedy has left him shaken but also more determined to face life with courage.

‘I don’t know what to make out of all of it’

When journalist Faridoon Shahryar brought up the tragedy and connected it with Rahul’s past loss, the actor reflected on the series of personal challenges he has faced. “I don’t know what happened. I mean, losing a partner very young. Then parenting. Then losing a father... then a mother... and now a younger brother. I don’t know what to make out of all of it. Sometimes it happens that you are supposed to do something... and suddenly you pick up the phone and realise that person is no more. So, yeah, it’s been a little tricky, if I just put it mildly.”

On finding strength through loss

Rahul admitted that during his wife’s passing, he had taken a drastic step of walking away from work for nearly five years, but this time, he knew he could not afford to do that.

“It’s easy to work hard. But because I’ve been through it once, I took a drastic step. I was gone for four and a half years. Now I can’t afford that. I don’t have the years on my side to leave the business. You become wiser. You realise it’s all part of life. Nothing really ends—it just takes another form. And you have to wish that form well.”

The actor also stressed his sense of duty—towards his son, his sister, and Mukul’s daughter—while acknowledging the creative opportunities that life has given him.

Remembering Mukul as the ‘darling of the house’

Speaking about Mukul, Rahul recalled the special place his brother held within the family.

“See, he was the ladla of the house, so to say—the darling at home. He’s two years younger than me. But I don’t know why it felt like I was responsible for him. I used to lecture him a lot—don’t smoke, let’s exercise. But after a while, whether it’s your siblings or your children, when they are adults, one thing you must give them is space. Very difficult to do, but very necessary.”

Choosing love over despair

Rahul concluded on a note of resilience, saying that while grief can easily pull one into dark mornings, the only way forward is to face it with love and acceptance.

“Our emotions take us somewhere, but I think the key is to face it bravely. Not with a pinch of salt, but with love. To give love to that situation as much as you can. That’s the only way forward.”