The Hindi film industry came together in grief to remember veteran filmmaker Kuku Kohli, as several prominent names attended his prayer meet in Mumbai. Anil Kapoor, Boney Kapoor, Kiran Kumar, Madhur Bhandarkar, Madhu, Kunkia Sadanand, Sanjay Kapoor, Arjan Bajwa and Poonam Sinha were among those who paid their respects to the filmmaker.
The solemn prayer meet was held on August 29, 2026, at Celebration Sports Club in Lokhandwala Complex, Mumbai. The gathering saw friends, colleagues and members of the film fraternity come together to remember Kuku Kohli and celebrate his contribution to Hindi cinema.
Kuku Kohli passed away on August 25, 2026, at the age of 77, following a cardiac arrest. The filmmaker is best remembered for his successful directorial debut Phool Aur Kaante, which went on to become a popular film and also marked the debut of Ajay Devgn as a leading actor. His work during the 1990s made him a familiar name among Bollywood audiences.
The prayer meet was particularly emotional for Kuku Kohli's family. His wife, veteran actress Aruna Irani, arrived with family members and was visibly overwhelmed by the loss. His daughters Karishma Kohli and Pooja Kohli were also present at the memorial as the family came together to remember the late filmmaker.
The gathering also reflected the deep connections Kohli had built within the Hindi film industry over the years. Anil Kapoor and Boney Kapoor were among the veteran industry figures who attended the prayer meet, while Sanjay Kapoor was also present. Their appearance highlighted the sense of camaraderie within Bollywood during a difficult moment for the family.
Filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar and actors including Kiran Kumar, Madhu and Arjan Bajwa were also spotted at the memorial. Poonam Sinha and several other members of the entertainment fraternity joined the gathering, offering condolences to the bereaved family and remembering Kohli's contribution to Indian cinema.
Kohli's name remains closely associated with some of the memorable commercial films of his generation. After Phool Aur Kaante, he went on to direct films including Hulchul, Suhaag, Angaarey and Yeh Dillagi, among others. His filmmaking journey spanned different phases of Bollywood, during a period when family dramas, romance and action-driven entertainers dominated the mainstream Hindi film landscape.
While the prayer meet was a sombre occasion, it also served as a reminder of the filmmaker's place in Bollywood history. For many who worked alongside him or grew up watching his films, Kuku Kohli's passing marks the end of an important chapter in Hindi cinema.
As the film fraternity continues to mourn his loss, the memories of his work — particularly the impact of Phool Aur Kaante and the careers it helped launch — remain part of his enduring legacy. The gathering in Mumbai offered colleagues and loved ones an opportunity to say goodbye and remember a filmmaker who contributed significantly to the commercial Hindi cinema of his era.
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