Kukku Kohli Passes Away at 77: Bollywood Bids Farewell to the Filmmaker Who Launched Ajay Devgn

Bollywood came together today to say goodbye to veteran filmmaker Kukku Kohli, whose passing marks the end of a career that shaped one of Indian cinema's biggest stars. He was…

By Reetam Bodhak

August 26, 2026

3 min read

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Bollywood came together today to say goodbye to veteran filmmaker Kukku Kohli, whose passing marks the end of a career that shaped one of Indian cinema’s biggest stars. He was 77.

What happened?

Kukku Kohli passed away on August 25 following a cardiac arrest, and his last rites were performed in Mumbai on August 26, with several film industry figures arriving to pay their respects.

Rohit Shetty, who began his career assisting Kohli on Phool Aur Kaante, left the cremation site visibly emotional, reflecting the close bond he shared with the filmmaker and his family over the years. The Kaushal family — including Shyam Kaushal, Vicky Kaushal, and Sunny Kaushal — attended together, with Katrina Kaif walking in alongside Vicky. Sharvari Wagh, Javed Akhtar, and Shabana Azmi were also seen arriving to offer their condolences.

A quick look at those who attended and Kukku Kohli ‘s legacy:

Detail	Info
Passed Away	August 25, 2026 (cardiac arrest)
Age	77
Debut Film	Phool Aur Kaante (1991)
Career Span	Over three decades
Notable Films	Kohraam, Suhaag, Haqeeqat, Zulmi, Yeh Dil Aashiqanaa
Last Directorial	Woh Tera Naam Tha (2004)
Attendees	Rohit Shetty, Vicky Kaushal, Katrina Kaif, Javed Akhtar, Shabana Azmi, and others

Kukku Kohli’s most enduring legacy remains Phool Aur Kaante, the 1991 film that introduced Ajay Devgn to Indian audiences and turned him into an overnight star. Over the following decades, Kohli went on to direct a string of films across genres, building a career that touched multiple generations of Bollywood talent before his final directorial effort in 2004.

His wife, veteran actress Aruna Irani, was present at the funeral and appeared deeply affected by the loss, according to those at the site.

For more on Kukku Kohli’s contributions to Hindi cinema and his broader filmography, Wikipedia’s page on Indian cinema offers useful context on the industry he helped shape.

And for continued coverage of Bollywood news as it develops, TechnoSports’ entertainment section will keep readers updated.

Our thoughts are with Kukku Kohli’s family and loved ones during this difficult time.

If this topic brings up difficult feelings around loss or grief, please know that support is available through trusted people in your life or professional counseling services.