‘One Phone Call Made Me a Star’: Madhoo Mourns the Passing of Director Kuku Kohli

The Indian film fraternity is in mourning following the death of veteran filmmaker Kuku Kohli, who passed away at the age of 77. Among those deeply affected by the news is actor Madhoo, who credits the director for launching her career and transforming her from an “ordinary girl” into an overnight sensation.

In a poignant tribute, Madhoo expressed her shock and sorrow, admitting that the news was particularly difficult to process because she had crossed paths with the filmmaker only recently.

“Oh my God, I just heard that he has passed away. I can’t believe it. I met him less than a year ago,” Madhoo shared in an interview. “In fact, I met him very recently, and he was hale and hearty and happy. Life is so unpredictable.”

A Life-Changing Connection

Madhoo reflected on the serendipitous nature of her entry into the film industry, highlighting how a single, ordinary evening phone call from Kuku Kohli altered the trajectory of her life. She recalled that when they recently reconnected, the two spent time reminiscing about their early professional relationship and discussing the filmmaker’s initial impression of her.

“That one phone call from Kuku ji made me a star,” she said. “I went from being an ordinary girl to becoming an overnight star because of that one phone call.”

The Legacy of ‘Phool Aur Kaante’

Kuku Kohli’s most enduring contribution to Hindi cinema remains the 1991 blockbuster Phool Aur Kaante. The film, which served as a massive commercial success, marked the debut of both Madhoo and Ajay Devgn. Featuring a stellar cast that included Amrish Puri, Aruna Irani, and Jagdeep, the movie remains a cornerstone of 90s Bollywood, cementing the careers of its young leads.

Ajay Devgn, who shared the screen with Madhoo in the film, also took to social media to pay his respects. Acknowledging the pivotal role Kohli played in his early journey, the actor wrote, “Forever grateful for the faith you had in me.”

A Final Farewell

The loss of the visionary director has been felt across the industry, with several prominent figures gathering in Mumbai to attend his last rites. The funeral saw an outpouring of support from celebrities including Vicky Kaushal, Katrina Kaif, Rohit Shetty, Rajat Bedi, and Sharvari Wagh, all of whom arrived to pay their final tributes to a man who helped shape the careers of several Bollywood stars.

As the industry mourns, Madhoo’s words serve as a reminder of the quiet, transformative power of a mentor’s belief in new talent—a legacy that will continue to live on through the classic cinema Kohli left behind.