When Aruna Irani revealed her love story with Kuku Kohli; recalled how their equation changed; ‘Romance to ajeeb baat thi’; said ‘pata nahi kab chakkar chal gaya’ | Hindi Movie News

Veteran filmmaker Kuku Kohli, best known for directing the 1991 movie ‘Phool Aur Kaante’, has died at the age of 77. Kuku Kohli’s funeral took place at Oshiwara Crematorium in Mumbai. Celebrities namely Javed Akhtar, Anees Bazmee, Katrina Kaif, Vicky Kaushal, Gajendra Chauhan, Shabana Azmi, Rajpal Yadav and others were present to pay their last respects at the funeral.Following his death, a past television appearance by his wife, veteran actress Aruna Irani, has brought attention back to their relationship and how their romance began. Kuku Kohli and Aruna Irani were married for several decades. The actress had previously spoken about their relationship and shared an amusing account of how their equation changed while working together.

Aruna Irani’s appearance on ‘Indian Idol‘

Aditya Narayan then asked Aruna Irani about her experience of working with the filmmaker. “Aruna ji, I would like to ask, what is your experience of working with Kuku ji?” he asked. The actress responded with a playful remark. Her answer immediately shifted the conversation towards the romantic side of their relationship. “Romance wala experience ya director wala?” Aruna Irani said. When Aditya Narayan asked her to elaborate on the romance, Aruna Irani recalled that she and Kuku Kohli were not particularly fond of each other when they first interacted. “Romance to ajeeb baat thi, Kuku ji ka aur mera 36 (chattis) ka aakda tha.” The actress then described an incident from a movie set that eventually changed their equation.

Aditya Narayan asks about Kuku Kohli

Earlier this year, Aruna Irani appeared on the singing reality show ‘Indian Idol’. During the episode, host Aditya Narayan brought up Kuku Kohli while discussing his work in the movie ‘Suhaag’. Aditya Narayan said, “By the way, let me tell you all that, Gore Gore Mukhde Pe Kala Kala Chashma song from the film Suhaag is sung by my father, and it is directed by one and only Kuku Kohli ji. To those who aren’t aware, he’s the husband of Aruna ji.”

Aruna Irani recalls the turning point

Aruna Irani remembered sitting with Suresh Bhatt while a song featuring Sonam was being filmed. The two were joking about Kuku Kohli when the filmmaker suddenly noticed their conversation. She said, “Ek din ek gana aya, aur Sonam ka dance chal raha tha usse picture ka, main aur Suresh Bhatt, bethkey na khilli udarahe the, Kuku ji ki… toh humne dhyaan nahi diya. Hum dono masti kar rahein the aisa kya mujhe industry se bahar kardege kya.. ‘aise director ke sath mai to nahi kaam karu.’. itne mein, ‘mai kya aap log kya baat kar rahein hai mere baarein mai?” (“One day, a song came up, and Sonam was dancing in the scene. Suresh Bhatt and I were sitting together and making fun of Kuku ji. We didn’t pay much attention. We were joking around, saying, ‘What is he going to do, throw me out of the industry? I wouldn’t work with such a director.’ Just then, he asked, ‘What are you people talking about me?’”)

Suresh Bhatt’s playful compliment

According to Aruna Irani, Suresh Bhatt then decided to turn the situation into a joke. He told Kuku Kohli that they had been discussing his appearance. She added, “Toh Suresh ji bahut mastikhor the… haan tumharein hi baarein ma bol rahein the.. bolrahein thein ki aap yeh white dress mai kitne handsome lag rahein ho… he seriously though ki mai unkein taareef kar rahi hoon… than aista-aista wo soft hone lagein, jab woh soft hone lagein to main soft hogai… aur pata nahi kab chakkar chal gaya.” (“So Suresh ji was very mischievous. He said, ‘Yes, we were talking about you. We were saying how handsome you look in this white dress.’ He seriously thought that I was complimenting him. Then, slowly, he started becoming softer towards me. When he became softer, I also softened towards him, and I don’t know when the affair began.”)

How the romance developed

Aruna Irani’s account suggested that the playful exchange helped change Kuku Kohli’s attitude towards her. Their relationship gradually moved beyond their professional equation. She recalled that the filmmaker became softer towards her. She also began responding differently to him. Eventually, their relationship turned romantic.

Kuku Kohli’s filmmaking career

Kuku Kohli is remembered for directing several Hindi movies. His 1991 directorial debut ‘Phool Aur Kaante’ starred Ajay Devgn and Madhoo. Kuku Kohli and Aruna Irani eventually married and remained together for decades. Their relationship had begun after they worked together and gradually developed a personal bond. The couple did not have children together.

Kuku Kohli’s first marriage

Before his marriage to Aruna Irani, Kuku Kohli was married to Rita Kohli. They had two daughters, Pooja Kohli and Karishma Kohli. Pooja Kohli went on to work as a producer, while Karishma Kohli became a filmmaker. Kuku Kohli is survived by Aruna Irani and his two daughters from his first marriage.