Kuku Kohli, the filmmaker behind Ajay Devgn’s debut film Phool Aur Kaante, has died in Mumbai at the age of 77His passing marks the loss of a director associated with several memorable Hindi films.
Share Article
https://www.india.com/entertainment/ajay-devgns-phool-aur-kaante-director-kuku-kohli-dies-at-77-in-mumbai-8510036/
Kuku Kohli, best known for Ajay Devgn-starrer Phool Aur Kaante, dies at 77 (PC: Twitter)
Filmmaker Kuku Kohli has died at the age of 77 in MumbaiThe director who introduced Ajay Devgn to Hindi cinema with Phool Aur Kaante passed away after suffering a massive heart attackKohli had reportedly been unwell for the past few days and was undergoing treatment at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani HospitalHis sudden death has brought an end to the journey of a filmmaker who remained associated with several popular Hindi films through the 1990s and early 2000s.
Kuku Kohli dies after heart attack
Kohli’s brother-in-law Balraj Irani confirmed the filmmaker’s deathAccording to him Kohli had been admitted to the hospital a few days earlier after doctors detected a blockageA stent was fitted and his condition had appeared stableHowever his health took a sudden turn for the worse.
Irani said that Kohli was speaking with family members when he suffered the heart attack and collapsedThe filmmaker could not be revivedHis funeral is scheduled to take place at the Oshiwara crematorium in Mumbai.
Kuku Kohli launched Ajay Devgn with Phool Aur Kaante
One of Kuku Kohli’s biggest contributions to Hindi cinema was giving Ajay Devgn his first major break with Phool Aur Kaante in 1991The film marked Devgn’s debut as a leading actor and went on to establish him as a promising new face in Bollywood.
The film also featured Madhoo, late Amrish Puri, Aruna Irani and JagdeepIts success gave Kohli a strong start as a director while putting Devgn on the path to a long and successful careerKohli later worked with Devgn again in SuhaagThe 1994 action drama also starred Akshay Kumar, Karisma Kapoor and NagmaThe film holds significance as it brought Devgn and Kumar together on screen for the first time.
His work in Hindi cinema
Kuku Kohli remained active across different phases of Hindi cinema and directed several films during his careerHis filmography included Kohraam, Suhaag, Haqeeqat, Zulmi, Anari No 1 and Yeh Dil Aashiqanaa.
His final directorial project was Woh Tera Naam ThaWhile his later work was less frequent his association with some of the memorable commercial films of the 1990s ensured that his name remained connected with that era of Bollywood filmmaking.
Kuku Kohli’s family
Kohli was married to actor Aruna IraniHe had two daughters from his first marriage to Rita Kohli, Pooja Kohli and Karishma Kohli. Pooja is associated with film production while Karishma has worked behind the cameraShe served as an assistant director on films such as Ek Tha Tiger and Bajrangi BhaijaanShe later co-directed the Netflix series The Fame Game.
