Ajay Devgn mourns Kuku Kohli, director of debut film 'Phool Aur Kaante'
Synopsis
The man who gave Ajay Devgn his career — and Hindi cinema one of its most unforgettable debut sequences — is gone. Kuku Kohli, director of 'Phool Aur Kaante', died in Mumbai at 77. Devgn's tribute captures what Kohli represented: the rare filmmaker who bets on an unknown and changes a life forever.
Key Takeaways
Filmmaker Kuku Kohli passed away in Mumbai on Tuesday, 26 August 2025 at the age of 77 following a cardiac arrest.
Ajay Devgn paid tribute on social media, calling Kohli someone who 'changed the course of your life forever.' Kohli directed Devgn's debut film 'Phool Aur Kaante' ( 1991 ), which became a commercial success and launched Devgn as a leading action star.
Kohli's filmography includes Suhaag , Haqeeqat , Zulmi , Anari No.
1 , and Yeh Dil Aashiqanaa .
He was married to veteran actress Aruna Irani , who was visibly bereaved at the funeral.
Filmmaker Rohit Shetty and actors Vicky Kaushal and Katrina Kaif were among those who attended the funeral.
Bollywood actor Ajay Devgn on Wednesday, 27 August 2025, paid an emotional tribute to filmmaker Kuku Kohli, who passed away in Mumbai on Tuesday at the age of 77 following a cardiac arrest. Kohli was the director who gave Devgn his first leading role in the 1991 action-romance drama 'Phool Aur Kaante', a film that became one of Hindi cinema's most memorable debuts.
Ajay Devgn's Tribute
Devgn took to his social media account to share a photograph of the filmmaker alongside a heartfelt message. '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,' he wrote.
The tribute underscored the deep personal bond between the two, rooted in a career-defining moment of trust that Kohli extended to a then-unknown Devgn over three decades ago.
The Iconic Debut That Defined an Era
'Phool Aur Kaante', released in November 1991, starred Ajay Devgn alongside Madhoo, Amrish Puri, Aruna Irani, Jagdeep, and Raza Murad. The film's music, composed by Nadeem-Shravan, produced chart-topping tracks including 'Maine Pyar Tumhi Se Kiya Hai', 'Tumse Milne Ko Dil Karta Hai', and 'Dheere Dheere Pyar Ko Badhana Hai'.
Notably, Devgn's introduction sequence — performing a split while balancing between two moving motorcycles — remains one of the most iconic debut moments in the history of Hindi cinema. The film was a commercial success and set the template for Devgn's action-hero persona that would define his career.
Kuku Kohli's Legacy in Hindi Cinema
Over a career spanning several decades, Kohli directed a string of popular Hindi films including Suhaag, Haqeeqat, Zulmi, Anari No. 1, and Yeh Dil Aashiqanaa. His collaboration with Devgn extended beyond 'Phool Aur Kaante' — the two reunited for Suhaag, which also featured Akshay Kumar, Karisma Kapoor, and Nagma.
Kohli was married to veteran actress Aruna Irani in 1990. Their relationship, which remained largely private for many years, was widely known within the film industry. Irani, dressed in white and visibly bereaved, was seen being assisted as she arrived at the crematorium in Mumbai on Wednesday.
Film Fraternity Gathers to Pay Last Respects
Several prominent figures from Bollywood attended Kohli's funeral to pay their final respects. Filmmaker Rohit Shetty and actors Vicky Kaushal, Katrina Kaif, and Raza Murad were among those seen at the crematorium. The gathering reflected the esteem in which Kohli was held across generations of the Hindi film industry.
With Kuku Kohli's passing, Hindi cinema loses a filmmaker who shaped some of the most commercially resonant entertainers of the 1990s — and the man who first saw a star in Ajay Devgn.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Kuku Kohli die?
Kuku Kohli passed away in Mumbai on Tuesday, 26 August 2025, following a cardiac arrest. He was 77 years old.
What did Ajay Devgn say about Kuku Kohli's death?
Devgn shared a photograph of Kohli on social media with a tribute reading: '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.'
What is 'Phool Aur Kaante' and why is it significant?
'Phool Aur Kaante' is a 1991 Hindi action-romance film directed by Kuku Kohli that marked Ajay Devgn's debut as a leading actor. The film is particularly remembered for Devgn's introduction scene — performing a split between two moving motorcycles — which became one of the most iconic debut sequences in Hindi cinema.
Who attended Kuku Kohli's funeral?
Filmmaker Rohit Shetty and actors Vicky Kaushal, Katrina Kaif, and Raza Murad were among the film personalities who attended Kohli's funeral in Mumbai on Wednesday. His wife, veteran actress Aruna Irani, was also present and was visibly bereaved.
