Bollywood stalwarts gather as Aruna Irani bids farewell to late husband Kuku Kohli

Veteran filmmaker Kuku Kohli, 77, passed away on Tuesday after suffering a heart attack at Mumbai’s Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital. The Indian film community came together at the funeral home where his wife, actress Aruna Irani, delivered an emotional farewell. Among the attendees were leading stars Vicky Kaushal, Katrina Kaif, and director Rohit Shetty, who paid their respects and offered condolences to the grieving family.

Kohli’s career spanned several decades, during which he contributed to the growth of Hindi cinema and helped launch the careers of many artists. His death resonated across the diaspora, reminding overseas South‑Asian audiences of the industry’s rich legacy and the personal bonds that tie its veterans together. The presence of contemporary Bollywood figures underscored the lasting impact Kohli had on multiple generations of film‑makers.

The ceremony, marked by quiet reverence, highlighted the close‑knit nature of the industry’s community and offered a moment of collective remembrance for one of its respected elders.