Salman Khan mourns Kuku Kohli's death, condoles wife Aruna Irani
Synopsis
Veteran director Kuku Kohli's death at 77 drew an outpouring from Bollywood's biggest names. Salman Khan's X post consoling widow Aruna Irani and Ajay Devgn's emotional tribute to the man who launched him in 1991 underline just how deeply Kohli shaped Hindi cinema — quietly, but lastingly.
Key Takeaways
Veteran director Kuku Kohli passed away at the age of 77 on Tuesday, 27 August .
Salman Khan posted condolences on X , addressing the director's wife Aruna Irani directly.
Final rites were held at Oshiwara crematorium, Mumbai on Wednesday, attended by Vicky Kaushal , Katrina Kaif , Rohit Shetty , Javed Akhtar , Shabana Azmi , and others.
Ajay Devgn paid tribute to Kohli, crediting him for his career-launching role in Phool Aur Kaante (1991) .
Kohli's iconic motorcycle-balancing debut sequence for Devgn remains one of Hindi cinema's most remembered introductions.
Bollywood superstar Salman Khan has paid tribute to veteran director Kuku Kohli, who passed away at the age of 77 on Tuesday, 27 August. Khan took to X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday to share a heartfelt message for the late filmmaker's family.
Salman Khan's Tribute
In his post on X, Salman Khan wrote: 'Rest in peace Kuki ji, Aruna ji my heart goes out to u May God give u strength.' The message was directed at the director's wife, veteran actress Aruna Irani, who was visibly devastated as she arrived at the funeral, escorted by family members.
Final Rites at Oshiwara
The final rites of Kuku Kohli were held at the Oshiwara crematorium in Mumbai on Wednesday. A significant gathering of film industry figures attended to pay their last respects. Among those present were actors Vicky Kaushal and his wife Katrina Kaif, stunt veteran Sham Kaushal, director Rohit Shetty, Raja Murad, Tinu Anand, lyricist Javed Akhtar and his wife Shabana Azmi, Rajpal Yadav, Ashoke Pandit, and Gajendra Chauhan. Those in attendance appeared solemn and left without speaking to the media.
Ajay Devgn's Emotional Farewell
Actor Ajay Devgn, who was launched by Kuku Kohli in the 1991 blockbuster Phool Aur Kaante, shared a photograph of the filmmaker along with a deeply personal tribute on social media. He wrote: '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.'
Kohli's decision to cast a then-unknown Devgn proved transformative. The film's iconic opening sequence — featuring Devgn balancing between two moving motorcycles — became one of Hindi cinema's most memorable debut moments and helped define the actor's screen persona for years to come.
A Director Who Shaped Careers
Kuku Kohli was widely regarded as a filmmaker who had a sharp eye for talent, giving several actors their defining early breaks. His passing has prompted an outpouring of grief across the Hindi film industry, with tributes flowing in from colleagues and collaborators across generations. As the industry mourns his loss, his legacy — particularly in shaping the careers of stars like Ajay Devgn — is expected to be remembered for years to come.
Point of View
But the more significant angle is what it reveals about the director-actor relationship in 1990s Bollywood. Kohli was among a small group of filmmakers who took commercial bets on untested talent — Ajay Devgn's motorcycle stunt debut is now industry lore, but it was Kohli's conviction that made it happen. The industry's grief is genuine, but mainstream coverage risks reducing a substantial filmmaking career to a footnote in stars' tribute posts. Kohli deserves more than that framing.
NationPress
27 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Salman Khan pay tribute to Kuku Kohli?
Salman Khan posted a condolence message on X (formerly Twitter), writing 'Rest in peace Kuki ji, Aruna ji my heart goes out to u May God give u strength,' addressing the director's wife Aruna Irani directly.
Who attended Kuku Kohli's funeral?
The final rites at Oshiwara crematorium in Mumbai were attended by Vicky Kaushal, Katrina Kaif, Sham Kaushal, Rohit Shetty, Javed Akhtar, Shabana Azmi, Rajpal Yadav, Ashoke Pandit, Gajendra Chauhan, and Raja Murad, among others.
What was Kuku Kohli's connection to Ajay Devgn?
Kuku Kohli directed Phool Aur Kaante (1991), which served as Ajay Devgn's debut as a leading actor. The film's opening sequence featuring Devgn balancing between two moving motorcycles became one of Hindi cinema's most iconic introductions.
