Filmmaker Kuku Kohli, known for directing Phool Aur Kaante and Yeh Dillagi, passed away on Tuesday evening after suffering a heart attack. His death was confirmed by filmmaker Ashoke Pandit. Kuku’s brother-in-law Sanjay Irani revealed that he had undergone a procedure and received a stent a day earlier. Kuku was married to veteran actress Aruna Irani.
Sanjay Irani on Kuku Kohli’s death
Confirming the news, Ashoke Pandit told mid-day, “Yes, it’s true. Kuku Kohli passed away this evening. He suffered a massive heart attack. He was rushed to Kokilaben Ambani Hospital, but he did not survice. He was fine all day… It’s sad. It’s shocking.”
His brother-in-law, Sanjay Irani said, “He passed away around 5-5.30 pm today. He suffered heart failure. He underwent a procedure yesterday and a stent was put in. In fact, today, he was going to get discharged today. But then this happened suddenly. We are waiting for the report now.” He confirmed the funeral details and added, “The funeral is tomorrow around 11.30 in Oshiwara.”
About Kuku Kohli
Kohli, whose real name was Avtar Kohli, worked under Raj Kapoor and other filmmakers. He has been associated with the film industry for over three decades. He began his career as the second-unit director on Betaab, which launched Sunny Deol and Amrita Singh and established them as stars. He later made his directorial debut with Phool Aur Kaante, which went on to achieve diamond jubilee status and marked Ajay Devgn’s entry into Bollywood. The film also starred Madhoo, Amrish Puri, Aruna Irani and Jagdeep.
He later directed Suhaag in 1994, starring Ajay Devgn, Akshay Kumar, Karisma Kapoor and Nagma. He subsequently directed films including Kohraam, Haqeeqat and Anari No. 1 which starred Govinda, among others. Kohli’s last released directorial was Woh Tera Naam Tha, which hit theatres in 2004 and featured Arjan Bajwa and Kanchi Kaul in the lead roles.
Kohli married actress Aruna Irani in 1990. The couple did not have any children. This was Kohli’s second marriage; he was previously married to Rita Kohli, with whom he had two daughters, Pooja and Karishma Kohli. To note, Karishma has been an assistant on Salman Khan’s films like Ek Tha Tiger and Bajrangi Bhaijaan.
