Ajay Devgn has remembered late filmmaker Kuku Kohli with an emotional note, reflecting on the lasting impact he had on the actor’s journey in Bollywood after their collaboration on Phool Aur Kaante.
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Ajay Devgn pays tribute to Phool Aur Kaante director (PC: Twitter)
Kuku Kohli’s death has left the Hindi film industry mourning the loss of a filmmaker remembered for his popular films and his contribution to the careers of several actorsAjay Devgn has now paid tribute to Kohli, recalling the important role he played in his lifeKohli directed Phool Aur Kaante, which marked Devgn’s Bollywood debut in 1991The film became a major success and gave Devgn a strong start in the industryRemembering the filmmaker decades later, Devgn shared an emotional note and thanked Kohli for believing in him when his acting journey was just beginning.
Ajay Devgn shares an emotional tribute
Ajay Devgn remembered Kuku Kohli through a heartfelt post on XThe actor wrote, “Some people change the course of your life foreverKuku ji was one of those people for meForever grateful for the faith you had in meYou will be deeply missed, Kuku ji.” He ended the message with “Om Shanti.”
Some people change the course of your life foreverKuku ji was one of those people for me.
Forever grateful for the faith you had in meYou will be deeply missed, Kuku ji.
Om Shanti.— Ajay Devgn (@ajaydevgn) August 26, 2026
Phool Aur Kaante gave Ajay Devgn his Bollywood debut
Ajay Devgn’s association with Kuku Kohli began with Phool Aur KaanteReleased in 1991, the film marked Devgn’s debut in Hindi cinemaThe action-romance became a hit and helped the young actor make a strong impression on audiencesDevgn’s introduction scene, where he stood with one foot on each of two moving motorcycles, became one of the most memorable debut sequences in Bollywood.
Kuku Kohli’s successful run in Bollywood
After the success of Phool Aur Kaante, Kuku Kohli directed several mainstream Hindi filmsHis filmography included Suhaag, Haqeeqat, Kohraam, Baadshah and HulchulHis movies often combined action, romance, family drama and musicHe continued working with some of the leading actors of the time and became associated with commercial Hindi cinema of the 1990s and early 2000s.
Suhaag became another major success
Kohli reunited with Ajay Devgn for Suhaag, which also starred Akshay Kumar, Karisma Kapoor and NagmaReleased in 1994, the film went on to become a major box-office successThe movie further strengthened Kohli’s position as a director of mainstream entertainers and continued his association with leading Bollywood stars.
Kuku Kohli’s journey before Phool Aur Kaante
Kohli had gained experience in the film industry before making his directorial debutHe worked under legendary filmmaker Raj Kapoor and was also associated with Betaab, which introduced Sunny Deol and Amrita SinghHis experience behind the scenes helped him move into direction before he made Phool Aur Kaante.
Kuku Kohli’s final days
Kuku Kohli reportedly suffered a heart attack and was taken to Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in MumbaiHe underwent angioplasty after being admittedHis condition initially appeared stable but later deteriorated after he suffered a cardiac arrestHe died on August 25 at the age of 77.
Kuku Kohli married veteran actor Aruna Irani in 1990He is survived by Aruna Irani and two daughters from his first marriageFollowing his death, Aruna was seen at his funeral in Mumbai as members of the film industry arrived to pay their respects.
