Rajat Bedi mourns Kuku Kohli: 'His storytelling will live on forever'
Synopsis
Veteran Hindi filmmaker Kuku Kohli died at 77 on 25 August, and the tributes from his collaborators reveal a director whose passion and craft left a deep mark. Actor Rajat Bedi, who worked with Kohli on two films, called his storytelling style truly unique — a sentiment echoed across the industry as Bollywood pauses to remember one of its distinctive commercial voices.
Key Takeaways
Filmmaker Kuku Kohli passed away at the age of 77 on 25 August at Kokilaben Hospital , Mumbai.
Actor Rajat Bedi paid tribute on Instagram , recalling their collaboration on two films .
Kohli directed Bedi in 'Yeh Dil Aashiqanaa' and 'Woh Tera Naam Tha' (released 2004 ).
IMPPA President Abhay Sinha confirmed Kohli's death and expressed grief on behalf of the industry.
Tributes from the Hindi film fraternity continue to pour in, honouring Kohli's distinctive contribution to cinema.
Actor Rajat Bedi on 26 August paid a heartfelt tribute to veteran filmmaker Kuku Kohli, who passed away at the age of 77 on 25 August, recalling their collaboration on two films and celebrating the director's enduring passion for cinema. Bedi's tribute was among several pouring in from the Hindi film fraternity following Kohli's death.
Bedi's Personal Tribute
Taking to Instagram, Bedi shared a photograph with the late filmmaker and wrote: “I had the privilege of working with Kuku ji on two films, and those memories will always remain very special to me. His passion, his craft and his unique way of telling stories will live on forever through his cinema.”
The 'Koi... Mil Gaya' actor also thanked Kohli for the shared journey, adding: “Thank you, Kuku Ji, for the lovely memories, the lessons and the beautiful journey. You will be deeply missed. May your soul rest in eternal peace — Satnam Waheguru.”
Their Collaboration on Screen
Kuku Kohli directed Rajat Bedi in two Hindi productions. The first was the romantic action thriller 'Yeh Dil Aashiqanaa', in which Bedi played Vijay Verma, alongside Karan Nath and Aditya Pancholi. Their second collaboration, the drama 'Woh Tera Naam Tha', released in 2004, also featured Arjan Bajwa and Kanchi Kaul.
Industry Reacts to Kohli's Passing
The Indian Motion Picture Producers' Association (IMPPA) President Abhay Sinha confirmed the filmmaker's demise, expressing shock and grief. In a statement, Sinha said: “Sad and shocking. Director Kuku Kohli passed away today at Kokilaben Hospital. May Waheguruji bless the departed soul.”
Kohli's death at Kokilaben Hospital in Mumbai has prompted widespread remembrance across the industry, with colleagues and collaborators honouring his contribution to Hindi cinema and his distinctive body of work.
Kuku Kohli's Legacy
Over a career spanning several decades, Kuku Kohli carved a recognisable niche in mainstream Hindi cinema through his genre-blending narratives and command over commercial storytelling. His films remain a reference point for a generation of actors and crew who worked with him. As tributes continue to mount, the filmmaker's cinema stands as his most lasting testament.
Point of View
Mass-audience storytelling he practised — has fewer and fewer practitioners left. The warmth of Bedi's tribute points to something mainstream obituaries often miss: Kohli's value was not just in box-office numbers but in the loyalty he inspired among collaborators. That the IMPPA president personally confirmed his death signals the institutional weight the industry attaches to his loss. Whether his films get the retrospective attention they deserve is the question the industry should now ask itself.
NationPress
26 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When did filmmaker Kuku Kohli pass away?
Kuku Kohli passed away on 25 August at Kokilaben Hospital in Mumbai. He was 77 years old at the time of his death.
Which films did Kuku Kohli direct with Rajat Bedi?
Kuku Kohli directed Rajat Bedi in two Hindi films: the romantic action thriller 'Yeh Dil Aashiqanaa' and the drama 'Woh Tera Naam Tha', which released in 2004. Both films are among the works Bedi cited in his tribute.
Who confirmed Kuku Kohli's death officially?
IMPPA President Abhay Sinha confirmed Kuku Kohli's passing and issued a statement expressing grief, describing the news as 'sad and shocking'.
What did Rajat Bedi say about Kuku Kohli?
Bedi wrote on Instagram that working with Kohli on two films gave him memories that would always remain special. He praised Kohli's passion, craft, and unique storytelling, saying it would live on forever through his cinema.
Who else appeared in Kuku Kohli's films with Rajat Bedi?
'Yeh Dil Aashiqanaa' featured Karan Nath and Aditya Pancholi alongside Bedi, while 'Woh Tera Naam Tha' also starred Arjan Bajwa and Kanchi Kaul.
