Actor Aruna Irani Resumes Work Weeks After Husband Kuku Kohli's Death

Veteran actor Aruna Irani has returned to work over 50 days after the death of her husband and filmmaker Kuku Kohli. Kohli passed away at the age of 77 following a massive heart attack on August 25. Aruna, who is 80 years old, was seen deeply shaken and inconsolable during Kohli's last rites ceremony at the Oshiwara crematorium in Mumbai, where family members and friends escorted her.

Message to Fans

On Sunday, Aruna posted a video on her Instagram handle to speak publicly about Kohli's death for the very first time. Choking up during the message, she thanked her fans for the love and affection they showed her during a difficult time. She credited that support for giving her the energy to start working again and expressed hope that fans would continue to stand by her.

Industry Reactions

Following the video, numerous fans, well-wishers, and industry colleagues flooded the comment section with praise. Actor Sudha Chandran wrote a supportive note calling Aruna her idol. Chandran and Aruna previously worked together in the 1986 dance film Naache Mayuri, directed by T Rama Rao, as well as television shows like Sanjog Se Bani Sangini and Zameen Se Aasman Tak.

Past Relationship

Aruna and Kohli first met in 1990 during the shoot of his 1991 action adventure film Kohraam. Although she initially disliked him after a conflict over shooting dates, they eventually fell in love and got married. Because Kohli was already married with two daughters, Aruna kept their marriage a secret for a long time to avoid hurting anyone. She later addressed criticism from Kohli's first wife, Rita Kohli, stating that a husband is responsible for his wife's happiness rather than the other woman.

Context

Personal loss in the public eye often prompts prominent film personalities to share vulnerable updates with their supporters online. Such public messages allow veteran artists to acknowledge the enduring loyalty of fans who have followed their careers across decades of cinema and television work.