Kuku Kohli funeral: Vicky Kaushal, Katrina Kaif, Javed Akhtar pay last respects
Synopsis
The director who gave Ajay Devgn his iconic debut in Phool Aur Kaante was cremated in Mumbai on 26 August, with Vicky Kaushal, Katrina Kaif, Javed Akhtar, and Shabana Azmi among those paying their respects. Devgn's tribute — calling Kohli someone who 'changed the course of your life forever' — captured what the industry quietly knew: Kohli's instinct for talent outlasted his headlines.
Key Takeaways
Director Kuku Kohli was cremated at Oshiwara crematorium , Mumbai , on 26 August after suffering a fatal heart attack.
Vicky Kaushal , Katrina Kaif , Rohit Shetty , Javed Akhtar , and Shabana Azmi were among those who attended the funeral.
His wife, actor Aruna Irani , was visibly devastated and was supported by family at the crematorium.
Ajay Devgn paid tribute on social media, crediting Kohli for 'changing the course of his life' by casting him in his debut film.
Kohli directed Phool Aur Kaante ( 1991 ), Devgn's debut, which became a commercial success and an iconic entry into Hindi cinema.
He is survived by wife Aruna Irani and two children, Pooja and Karishma , from his first marriage to Rita Kohli .
Veteran Bollywood director Kuku Kohli was cremated at the Oshiwara crematorium in Mumbai on 26 August, with a host of prominent film industry figures gathering to bid farewell to the filmmaker who shaped several careers over four decades. Kohli had been hospitalised two days earlier following a heart attack and did not survive.
Who Attended the Final Rites
Among those present at the crematorium were actors Vicky Kaushal and his wife Katrina Kaif, along with Vicky's father Sham Kaushal. Directors Rohit Shetty and veterans Raja Murad, Tinu Anand, Rajpal Yadav, Ashoke Pandit, and Gajendra Chauhan were also present. Lyricist Javed Akhtar and his wife, actor-activist Shabana Azmi, attended as well.
The gathering was notably solemn. Attendees paid their respects and departed without speaking to the press. Aruna Irani, Kohli's wife and a celebrated actor in her own right, appeared visibly distraught and was escorted by family members throughout the proceedings.
Ajay Devgn's Heartfelt Tribute
Bollywood actor Ajay Devgn, who could not attend in person, mourned the loss on social media with a tribute that underscored how pivotal Kohli had been to his life. Devgn shared a photograph of the director with a personal note that read: '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.'
The sentiment was widely shared online, with several industry figures echoing Devgn's words in their own condolences.
The Legacy of Phool Aur Kaante
Kohli's most enduring contribution to Hindi cinema remains Phool Aur Kaante, released in 1991, which served as Ajay Devgn's debut as a leading actor. The film was a commercial success and introduced an image of Devgn that would define his early career — most memorably, an opening sequence in which the actor balanced himself between two moving motorcycles. That single shot became one of the most iconic debut moments in Bollywood history.
Notably, Kohli's decision to cast the then-unknown Devgn reflected a pattern: the director was known for backing talent before it had proven itself at the box office.
About Kuku Kohli
Kohli directed several films over the course of his career and worked with a wide range of prominent names in the industry. He is survived by his wife Aruna Irani and two children — Pooja and Karishma — from his first marriage to Rita Kohli. He suffered a heart attack and was admitted to hospital two days before his passing.
With Kohli's passing, the industry loses a filmmaker who played a quiet but consequential role in shaping the careers of some of its biggest stars. Tributes are expected to continue in the coming days.
Point of View
But the more significant thread is what it says about the invisible architects of Bollywood careers. The director who launched Ajay Devgn never became a household name himself — yet the motorcycle-balancing shot from Phool Aur Kaante remains more recognisable than most award-winning sequences from that era. The industry's grief today is genuine, but its coverage of such figures while they are alive rarely matches the tributes that follow. Kohli's story is also a reminder that Hindi cinema's talent-spotting has historically been personal and instinct-driven — a system that produces iconic debuts but offers no structural safety net for the filmmakers behind them.
NationPress
26 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Kuku Kohli die?
Kuku Kohli suffered a heart attack and was hospitalised two days before his death. He passed away and was cremated at the Oshiwara crematorium in Mumbai on 26 August.
Who attended Kuku Kohli's funeral?
Prominent attendees included Vicky Kaushal, Katrina Kaif, Sham Kaushal, Rohit Shetty, Javed Akhtar, Shabana Azmi, Rajpal Yadav, Raja Murad, Tinu Anand, Ashoke Pandit, and Gajendra Chauhan. All attendees were solemn and did not speak to the media.
What did Ajay Devgn say about Kuku Kohli?
Ajay Devgn posted a tribute on social media calling Kohli someone who 'changed the course of your life forever,' expressing gratitude for the faith Kohli placed in him at the start of his career. Devgn's debut film, Phool Aur Kaante, was directed by Kohli and released in 1991.
Who is Kuku Kohli survived by?
Kuku Kohli is survived by his wife, actor Aruna Irani, and two children — Pooja and Karishma — from his first marriage to Rita Kohli.
