Bollywood filmmaker Kuku Kohli dies at 77 after heart attack

Veteran Bollywood filmmaker Kuku Kohli, who directed the 1991 hit "Phool Aur Kaante" that launched actor Ajay Devgn's career, has died at the age of 77. Kohli passed away on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, following a heart attack at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Mumbai.

According to filmmaker and friend Ashoke Pandit, Kohli had been feeling unwell and was admitted to the hospital on Monday, August 24. He died the following afternoon around 4:30 pm. Pandit, who confirmed the news, expressed shock, noting that Kohli appeared healthy and fit. "I can never imagine that he'll get a heart attack and die. He was healthy. He was food conscious. He was physically very fit," Pandit said.

Born Avtar Kohli, the filmmaker built a decades-long career in the Hindi film industry. He began as an assistant director under legendary filmmaker Raj Kapoor, an experience that shaped his craft. His directorial debut, "Phool Aur Kaante," became a major success and is remembered for introducing Ajay Devgn to audiences, including his iconic entry scene standing on two moving motorcycles.

Kohli went on to direct several commercially successful films throughout the 1990s and early 2000s. These included...