Aruna Irani thanks fans, ready to work again after Kuku Kohli's death
Synopsis
Months after losing husband and filmmaker Kuku Kohli, veteran actor Aruna Irani has publicly thanked her fans in a heartfelt video, crediting their support for giving her the strength to resume work. Her message offers a rare, candid window into grief, resilience, and a decades-long love story that the couple kept largely private.
Key Takeaways
Aruna Irani shared a video message thanking fans for their support following the death of her husband, filmmaker Kuku Kohli .
Kuku Kohli died on 25 August 2026 at the age of 77 ; he was known for directing Phool Aur Kaante .
Irani said the fan support helped her 'stand in front of you today and start working again.' The couple married in 1990 when Irani was 40 ; their relationship began on a film set and their marriage was kept largely private.
Irani has previously said she kept the relationship quiet out of respect for Kohli's first family.
Veteran actor Aruna Irani has expressed heartfelt gratitude to her admirers for standing by her in the months following the passing of her husband, filmmaker Kuku Kohli, who died on 25 August 2026 at the age of 77. In a video message shared recently, Irani credited the outpouring of fan support as the strength that has helped her return to work.
Aruna Irani's Message to Fans
In the video, Irani greeted her supporters and directly acknowledged the affection they have shown her during one of the most painful periods of her life. 'After the death of Kukuji, the love you all gave me, the support you gave me, I am very, very grateful for that,' she said.
She added that the response from well-wishers had exceeded what she had expected: 'I can't believe that in such a difficult time of mine, you all will be with me, will be standing with me. The same love and the same energy of support — I am standing in front of you today and I am able to start working again. I hope that you all will be with me till the last breath of my life. The same love you gave me. Thank you. Thank you so much.'
Who Was Kuku Kohli
Kuku Kohli was a prominent Hindi film director best known for the 1991 blockbuster Phool Aur Kaante. His death in August 2026 prompted an outpouring of condolences from across the Hindi film industry. Visuals from his funeral ceremony showed a visibly bereaved Aruna Irani, dressed in white, arriving at the crematorium and being helped out of the car by those present.
Their Love Story and Marriage
According to Aruna Irani's own earlier accounts, her relationship with Kuku Kohli began on a film set and was initially marked by tension rather than romance. She has described it as a 'love-hate relationship' at the outset, recalling that he would make other actors wait on set until Dharmendra arrived — a practice that frustrated her because she was working across multiple productions simultaneously. Over time, Kohli would console her when she was upset, and the dynamic gradually shifted.
Their relationship was complicated from the beginning. Irani has previously revealed that Kohli was already married with children when they first met, and that she was initially unaware of this. She has said that this was among the reasons she kept the relationship private for several years. The couple married in 1990, when Irani was 40. Their marriage remained largely out of the public eye, and Irani chose not to speak about it openly while Kohli's first wife, Rita Kohli, was alive, saying she felt it would be disrespectful to his first family.
A New Chapter
Irani's decision to return to work represents a significant personal milestone, coming roughly two months after Kohli's passing. Her willingness to publicly address the grief — and to credit fan support as the catalyst — suggests a deliberate effort to reconnect with her professional identity. The veteran actor, who has been active in Hindi cinema for over five decades, is widely regarded as one of the most versatile character artists in the industry.
Point of View
And the fact that she is addressing it openly now reflects how grief can sometimes dissolve the boundaries that public figures maintain for decades. What is easy to miss in the sentimentality of the video is the deeper narrative: a veteran actor in her seventies, who spent much of her career in the shadows of male stardom, standing independently and choosing to return on her own terms. That, as much as the loss itself, is the real story.
NationPress
19 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Aruna Irani say about fans after Kuku Kohli's death?
Aruna Irani thanked her fans in a video message, saying their love and support during her grief helped her find the strength to resume work. She said, 'I can't believe that in such a difficult time of mine, you all will be with me.'
When did Kuku Kohli die and what was he known for?
Kuku Kohli died on 25 August 2026 at the age of 77. He was a Hindi film director best known for the 1991 blockbuster Phool Aur Kaante.
When did Aruna Irani and Kuku Kohli get married?
Aruna Irani and Kuku Kohli married in 1990, when Irani was 40 years old. Their marriage was kept largely private throughout their life together.
Why did Aruna Irani keep her marriage to Kuku Kohli private?
Aruna Irani has said she chose to keep the marriage private out of respect for Kuku Kohli's first wife, Rita Kohli, and his first family. She revealed that she was initially unaware Kohli was already married when they met.
Is Aruna Irani returning to work after her husband's death?
Yes, Aruna Irani has indicated she is ready to resume work, crediting the overwhelming support from her fans as the motivation to start afresh after the loss of her husband Kuku Kohli.
