Filmmaker Kuku Kohli, best known for launching Ajay Devgn’s Bollywood career with ‘Phool Aur Kaante’, died at the age of 77 in Mumbai on Tuesday. He passed away at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital.
Kohli’s close friend and filmmaker-producer Ashoke Pandit confirmed his death and revealed that the veteran filmmaker had suffered a massive heart attack. According to Pandit, Kohli had no known illness and was hale and hearty before his sudden demise. Kohli was also serving as the General Secretary of the Indian Film and Television Directors’ Association (IFTDA).
Born Sandesh Kohli, the filmmaker made his directorial debut with ‘Phool Aur Kaante’ in 1991. The film not only became a commercial success but also marked Ajay Devgn’s debut in Hindi cinema. The action drama starred Madhoo, Amrish Puri, Aruna Irani and Jagdeep alongside Devgn.
Kohli went on to direct several popular Hindi films during his career, including ‘Kohraam’, ‘Suhaag’, ‘Haqeeqat’, ‘Zulmi’, ‘Anari No. 1’ and ‘Yeh Dil Aashiqanaa’. His 1994 film ‘Suhaag’, starring Ajay Devgn, Akshay Kumar, Karisma Kapoor and Nagma, was particularly notable as it marked the first on-screen pairing of Devgn and Kumar.
His final directorial venture was ‘Woh Tera Naam Tha’, which released in 2004. In January 2026, Kohli had spoken about the theatrical re-release of ‘Yeh Dil Aashiqanaa’ and expressed happiness that a new generation would get an opportunity to discover the film in cinemas.
Kohli was married to veteran actress Aruna Irani. He is survived by Irani and his two daughters, Pooja and Karishma, from his first marriage to Rita Kohli.
Kohli’s sudden death has left the Hindi film industry mourning the loss of a filmmaker whose work spanned more than three decades and who played a significant role in launching Ajay Devgn’s career.
