Mumbai: Veteran Bollywood filmmaker Kuku Kohli has passed away at the age of 77. According to reports, the director suffered a heart attack and breathed his last at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Mumbai on Tuesday.
Kohli was one of the notable filmmakers of Hindi cinema during the 1990s and early 2000s. He is best remembered for launching Ajay Devgn as a leading actor with the commercially successful film Phool Aur Kaante.
Kuku Kohli’s Directorial Career
Kuku Kohli made his directorial debut with Phool Aur Kaante, which was released in 1991. The film featured Ajay Devgn in his debut role alongside Madhoo, Amrish Puri, Aruna Irani and Jagdeep.
The film went on to become a commercial success and established Devgn as a promising new face in Bollywood.
Kohli subsequently directed several Hindi films, including Haqeeqat, Zulmi, Anari No. 1 and Yeh Dil Aashiqanaa. His final directorial film was Woh Tera Naam Tha, which was released in 2004.
Relationship With Aruna Irani
Kuku Kohli was married to veteran actor Aruna Irani, and their relationship had been the subject of media attention over the years.
The two reportedly met while working together on a film. In a 2022 interview, Irani recalled that their relationship initially involved frequent disagreements on the sets before eventually developing into a romantic relationship.
She described their early equation as a “love and hate relationship”, recalling how Kohli would later console her when she became upset with him.
Family Life
Kohli is survived by Aruna Irani and two daughters, Pooja and Karishma, from his earlier marriage to Rita Kohli.
Irani had previously spoken openly about their relationship and her decision not to have children. In an earlier interview, she said she had eventually come to terms with the circumstances surrounding their marriage and felt that remaining childless was the right decision for her.
A Filmmaker Remembered For Ajay Devgn’s Debut
Kuku Kohli’s contribution to Hindi cinema remains closely associated with Phool Aur Kaante, which introduced Ajay Devgn to Bollywood and went on to become an important milestone in the actor’s career.
With his death, the Hindi film industry has lost a filmmaker whose work was particularly prominent during the commercial cinema era of the 1990s.
