Veteran filmmaker Kuku Kohli , who gave Ajay Devgn his first break with Phool Aur Kaante, died aged 77. He succumbed to massive heart attack on Tuesday, August 25, at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Mumbai. Kuku Kohli’s last rites were performed at Oshiwara Crematorium in Mumbai on Wednesday, August 26.
Kuku Kohli’s funeral procession started from his Green Acres house in Andheri West around 10 am, while his cremation took place around noon. The last darshan took place at his family’s house at 9:30 am, as per the information provided by his friend and filmmaker Ashoke Pandit. In 1991, it was him who presented the young actor his big break with Phool Aur Kaante. He was an assistant on Raj Kapoor’s 1971 film Mera Naam Joker before eventually moving into direction. His directorial debut came with Phool Aur Kaante in 1991.
His wife Aruna Irani, the veteran actor, appeared to be in an emotional condition while bidding farewell to her husband along with members from the Irani and Kohli families Several individuals assisted her in walking in an emotional condition. Ajay Devgan saw Kuku as much more than just the director of his first film. Born Avtar Kohli, Kuku Kohli began his career working as an assistant director. The film starred Ajay Devgn, Madhoo, Amrish Puri, Aruna Irani and Jagdeep and became a commercial success.
Ajay Devgan paid homage to this director through social media, recalling how much faith he placed in him in the early stages of his career. He wrote, “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” . It also starred Madhoo, Aruna Irani, Jagdeep and Amrish Puri. The film established him as a action hero and shaped his three-decade career.
He was 77. Earlier reporting noted: Phool Aur Kaante was released in 1991, and emerged as big box office success. Ajay went on to win a Filmfare Award for Best Male Debut for 1991. After Phool Aur Kaante, Ajay worked with Kuku Kohli again in Suhaag (1994). The director’s final directorial film was Woh Tera Naam Tha, which was released in 2004.
Earlier reporting noted: Ajay Devgn says Kuku Kohli ‘changed his life forever’, remembers Phool Aur Kaante director in heartfelt tribute Filmmaker Kuku Kohli died after suffering a massive heart attack at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Mumbai on Tuesday. He made his directorial debut with Phool Aur Kaante, which emerged as a commercial success and also marked Ajay Devgn ‘s acting debut. (Also read: Kuku Kohli funeral: Aruna Irani bids emotional farewell as Rohit Shetty, Katrina Kaif, Vicky Kaushal pay last respects ) Earlier reporting noted: On Wednesday, Ajay took to X to pay an emotional tribute to the filmmaker.
