Kuku Kohli Dies: ‘Phool Aur Kaante’ Director and Aruna Irani’s Husband Passes Away
Kuku Kohli, the director of Phool Aur Kaante, died on Tuesday, August 25, at a Mumbai hospital after suffering a heart attack. He had been admitted two days earlier and underwent a stent procedure. Kohli, who launched Ajay Devgn as a leading actor, is survived by his wife Aruna Irani and two children.
Filmmaker Kuku Kohli, director of Phool Aur Kaante and Aruna Irani's husband, died on Tuesday, August 25, at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Mumbai after suffering a cardiac arrest. He had been admitted two days earlier and underwent a procedure in which doctors placed a stent. His condition later worsened, and he collapsed at the hospital before being declared dead at around 5 PM.
Kuku Kohli, best known for directing Phool Aur Kaante and launching Ajay Devgn as a leading actor, is survived by his wife, actor Aruna Irani. He also has two children, Pooja and Karishma, from his first marriage to Rita Kohli. Asha Singh Dies: Veteran Film and TV Actress Passes Away After Lung Infection.
Kuku Kohli Dies
'Phool aur Kaante' director Kuku Kohli passed away at Kokilaben Hospital in Mumbai. More details awaited.
— ANI (@ANI) August 25, 2026
"The last darshan will be held tomorrow at his residence, Green Acres, at 9:30 AM. The cremation will take place at 11 AM at Oshiwara Crematorium," a source told NDTV. Kohli's death marks the end of a filmmaking career that began in the early 1990s and included several Hindi films across different genres.
Kuku Kohli And Phool Aur Kaante
Kohli made his directorial debut with Phool Aur Kaante in 1991. The film starred Ajay Devgn in his first leading role and also featured Aruna Irani. The film became an important early milestone in Devgn's career and remains among Kohli's best-known works. Kohli directed Kohraam later in 1991 before reuniting with Devgn for Suhaag in 1994. The film also starred Akshay Kumar, Karisma Kapoor and Nagma. Sowcar Janaki, Legendary South Indian Actress, Dies at 94 in Chennai After Hospitalisation.
Films Directed By Kuku Kohli
Over the years, Kohli directed films including Haqeeqat (1995), Anari No. 1, Zulmi and Yeh Dil Aashiqanaa. His final directorial venture was Woh Tera Naam Tha, which was released in 2004. While his filmography spanned several projects, Kohli is particularly remembered for Phool Aur Kaante and for giving Ajay Devgn his first major leading role in Hindi cinema.
Kohli was married to actor Aruna Irani. He also had two children, Pooja and Karishma, from his first marriage to Rita Kohli. His death on Tuesday came after his health deteriorated following his hospitalisation for a cardiac arrest.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 25, 2026 11:08 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
