Veteran filmmaker Kuku Kohli, who was married to actress Aruna Irani, has died at the age of 77. He passed away in Mumbai after suffering a cardiac arrest while undergoing treatment.
Kohli had been unwell for some time and was admitted to hospital earlier this week. He reportedly underwent angioplasty after doctors detected a blockage, but his health later deteriorated and he suffered a cardiac arrest.
For many Bollywood fans, Kohli is best remembered for Phool Aur Kaante, his 1991 directorial debut. The film introduced Ajay Devgn as a leading actor and became a major box-office success. Its popularity helped give Devgn a strong start in the Hindi film industry.
Kohli continued directing mainstream Hindi films through the 1990s and early 2000s. His filmography included Haqeeqat, Suhaag, Zulmi, Anari No. 1 and Yeh Dil Aashiqanaa.
His association with Aruna Irani was another well-known part of his personal life. The two married in 1990 and remained together for more than three decades. They did not have children together.
Kohli’s death marks the passing of a filmmaker associated with the era of big-screen commercial entertainers. His work, particularly his first film and its role in launching Ajay Devgn’s career, remains part of his lasting contribution to Hindi cinema.
