Filmmaker Kuku Kohli, who introduced Ajay Devgn in films, passes away at 77; friend Ashoke Pandit reveals reason
Here's the latest update from the Bollywood world:
Veteran filmmaker Kuku Kohli, best known for introducing Ajay Devgn to the movie industry with Phool Aur Kaante, died in Kokilaben Hospital today in Mumbai. He was 77. Kohli, whose real name was Sandesh Kohli, had been associated with Hindi cinema for several decades.
Adding to this, Kuku Kohli; a still from Phool Aur Kaante. His friend, filmmaker-producer Ashoke Pandit confirms the same to HT City, “He had no illness, it was a massive heart attack. He was hale and hearty before that. Kuku was also the General Secretary of IFTDA (Indian Movie and Television Director's Association).”
Meanwhile, Kuku is survived by his wife, star Aruna Irani. He also has two children with his first wife Rita Kohli- Pooja and Karishma.
Notably, His first movie as a director, Phool Aur Kaante had been a commercial success. It also featured Madhoo, Amrish Puri, Aruna Irani and Jagdeep.
As per the latest buzz, Kohli followed it with Kohraam in the same year and went on to direct Suhaag in 1994, starring Ajay Devgn again, Akshay Kumar , Karisma Kapoor and Nagma. The movie became a hit marked the first pairing of Devgn and Kumar on screen.
In further updates, His final directorial movie, Woh Tera Naam Tha, rolled out in 2004. In January 2026, Kohli had spoken publicly about the theatrical re-rollout of Yeh Dil Aashiqanaa, saying he was happy that a new generation would get an opportunity to discover the movie in cinemas.
On top of that, Rishabh Suri writes for the daily Entertainment & Lifestyle supplement HT City. From Bollywood to Hollywood, from Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam films, to OTT and television- he covers it all.
Source: Hindustan Times