3 min learnMumbaiUp to date: Aug 25, 2026 10:15 PM IST
Filmmaker Kuku Kohli, greatest recognized for his 1991 directorial debut Phool Aur Kaante which launched Ajay Devgn’s profession, has died on the age of 77 following a coronary heart assault.
Kohli’s good friend, filmmaker Ashoke Pandit confirmed the information of his demise. Pandit advised SCREEN, “I don’t know easy methods to react as a result of I used to be very near him. I can by no means think about that he’ll get a coronary heart assault and die. He was wholesome. He was meals aware. He was bodily very match. This man was at all times smiling, laughing and filled with optimistic power. I’ve by no means seen him unhappy. Being unhappy was not written in his life.”
Speaking about his equation wiith Kuku Kohli, Ashoke Pandit shared, “Other than being an awesome technician who launched Ajay Devgn in his movie Phoola Kaate, he has a legacy. He labored with Raj Kapoor for the longest time; he was an assistant director. He was an awesome filmmaker, nice thinker, nice technician and an awesome human being. I additionally had a working relationship with him as he was additionally the Normal Secretary of IFTDA and IMPPA. Throughout the IFTDA days, we used to fulfill very often. He by no means mentioned no to something. In any scenario, he was at all times there to assist. He was additionally very lively along with his outdated age dwelling in Lonavala. A socially dedicated particular person.”
He added, “I’m completely damaged right this moment. I actually misplaced a really shut good friend.”
Kuku Kohli with spouse Aruna Irani. (Categorical archive picture)
Kuku Kohli’s profession and life
Kuku Kohli made inroads into Bollywood below the tutelage of legendary filmmaker Raj Kapoor, after which assisted Rahul Rawail in two blockbusters starring Sunny Deol — the actor’s 1983 debut Betaab and his 1985 movie Arjun.
Kohli later made his directorial debut with the 1991 motion thriller Phool Aur Kaante, which marked the debut of Ajay Devgn. Additionally starring Madhoo and Aruna Irani, amongst others, the hit movie featured Devgn’s iconic entry scene, by which he stands with one foot on every of two transferring bikes. The filmmaker adopted it up with the 1991 motion journey movie Kohraam, starring Dharmendra.
Kuku Kohli scored one other silver jubilee movie with the 1994 motion movie Suhaag, starring Ajay Devgn, Akshay Kumar, Karisma Kapoor, and Nagma, amongst others. He reunited with Devgn for the 1995 motion movie Haqeeqat, additionally starring Tabu. One other hit adopted within the type of the 1999 comedy Anari No. 1, starring Govinda, Raveena Tandon, and Simran.
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Kohli then reunited with Akshay Kumar for the 1999 motion crime drama Zulmi, additionally starring the actor’s future spouse Twinkle Khanna. He’s helmed solely two movies within the new millennium — 2002 romantic motion thriller Yeh Dil Aashiqanaa and Woh Tera Naam Tha (2004).
Kuku Kohli was beforehand married to Rita Kohli, with whom he has two youngsters – producer Pooja Kohli and filmmaker Karishma Kohli, who’s greatest recognized for co-directing the 2022 thriller Netflix household drama sequence The Fame Sport, starring Madhuri Dixit. Kohli then married Aruna Irani in 1990, and the couple has no youngsters.
Kuku Kohli’s final rites will likely be held on the Oshiwara Crematorium in Mumbati at 11 am.
