Veteran Filmmaker Kuku Kohli Passes Away at 77 in Mumbai

Veteran filmmaker Kuku Kohli, a prominent figure in Bollywood, passed away on Tuesday at the age of 77. He suffered a massive heart attack and was admitted to Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Mumbai, where he breathed his last. Kohli's passing was confirmed by his friend and filmmaker-producer Ashoke Pandit, who noted that Kohli was hale and hearty before the sudden cardiac arrest.

Born Sandesh Kohli, he made an indelible mark on Hindi cinema, most notably by directing the 1991 blockbuster 'Phool Aur Kaante', which served as the debut vehicle for superstar Ajay Devgn. This film achieved immense commercial success and established Devgn's career. Kohli continued his directorial journey with several other notable films like 'Suhaag' (1994), starring Ajay Devgn and Akshay Kumar, 'Haqeeqat' (1995), 'Zulmi' (1999), and 'Anari No. 1' (1999). His last directorial venture was 'Woh Tera Naam Tha' in 2004. Beyond his professional life, Kohli was also the General Secretary of the Indian Film and Television Director's Association (IFTDA). He is survived by his wife, veteran actor Aruna Irani, and two daughters from his first marriage. The film industry mourns the loss of a director who contributed significantly to shaping the careers of many and entertained audiences for decades.