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Filmmaker Kuku Kohli, best known for directing Ajay Devgn’s breakout film Phool Aur Kaante, passed away at the age of 77 on Tuesday.
He suffered a massive heart attack at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Mumbai. Kohli was married to veteran actress Aruna Irani.
His funeral was held at Oshiwara Crematorium on Wednesday. Several Bollywood celebrities, including Rohit Shetty, Katrina Kaif, Vicky Kaushal, Javed Akhtar, Shabana Azmi, Sharvari, Rajpal Yadav, Ashoke Pandit and Sham Kaushal, were seen arriving to pay their last respects.
Kohli’s final journey began at 10 am from his residence in Green Acres, Lokhandwala Complex, Andheri West, and continued to the Oshiwara Crematorium. Aruna Irani was visibly emotional as she mourned with family and friends.
Actors Vicky Kaushal and Katrina Kaif, along with filmmaker Rohit Shetty, Rajpal Yadav, and Javed Akhtar, arrived to pay their respects.
His wife, actor Aruna Irani was in tears as she reached the crematorium.
He is survived by his wife Aruna Irani and two daughters, Pooja and Karishma, from his first marriage to Rita Kohli.
Ajay Devgn remembers ‘Phool Aur Kaante’ director Kuku Kohli. gratitude for the faith that the late filmmaker showed in him.
In an X post, Ajay Devgn, who made his acting debut with the 1991 film ‘Phool Aur Kaante’, also credited Kuku Kohli for changing the course of his life. “Some people change the course of your life forever. Kuku ji was one of those people for me. Forever grateful for the faith you had in me. You will be deeply missed, Kuku ji. Om Shanti,” he wrote.
Kohli had been admitted to the hospital on August 24 after feeling unwell. According to Aruna’s brother Balraj Irani, he was doing fine before suddenly suffering a heart attack and collapsing. Despite doctors’ efforts, he was declared dead around 5 pm.
Kohli, who made his directorial debut with ‘Phool Aur Kaante’, went on to direct films including ‘Suhaag’ in 1994, starring Ajay Devgn, Akshay Kumar, Karisma Kapoor and Nagma.
His other directorial projects included ‘Haqeeqat’, ‘Zulmi’, ‘Anari No. 1’ and ‘Yeh Dil Aashiqanaa’.
Kohli’s last directorial venture was ‘Woh Tera Naam Tha’, which was released in 2004.
