Aruna Irani Returns to Work and Thanks Fans for Their Love After Husband Kuku Kohli's Death

Aruna Irani has a simple message for everyone who sent her love: thank you. The veteran actor has returned to work and shared an emotional video on Instagram on Sunday, Oct. 18, thanking fans for standing by her after the death of her husband, filmmaker Kuku Kohli, The Indian Express reports. It was the first time she had spoken publicly about his death, the outlet notes.

Aruna Irani gets back to work after husband Kuku Kohli’s demise: 'Asha karti hoon ki aap sab, meri zindagi ki aakhri saas tak yun hi mere saath rahenge'https://t.co/cFBIx1Be1f

— ETimes (@etimes) October 19, 2026

A difficult few weeks

Kohli died on August 25 at the age of 77 after a heart attack, according to The Indian Express and Hindustan Times. Aruna was supported by family and friends at his last rites in Mumbai, The Indian Express reports.

Her return comes more than 50 days after his passing, according to The Indian Express.

"I'm very, very grateful"

In the video, which Hindustan Times described as emotional, Aruna spoke directly to her fans.

"I'm very, very grateful to all the love and affection you've given me after Kuku ji's death. I can't believe that during such a difficult time, all of you will be standing with me," she said, as quoted by The Indian Express.

Then she shared what has helped her through. "It's only because of that love and energy that I'm standing in front of all of you and am being able to start working again," she said. "I hope all of you will continue to stand by me and give me love just like this till the last breath of my life."

Hindustan Times quoted the same moment in slightly different words: "It's because of your love and support that I am standing in front of you and am able to resume work again."

It's only because of that love and energy that I'm standing in front of all of you and am being able to start working again.

Love from friends and colleagues

Fans, well-wishers and colleagues from film and television filled her comments with support, The Indian Express reports. Actor Sudha Chandran wrote, "Love you Aruna ji. Stay strong. Loads of love and blessings to you always. You are my idol."

The two go back a long way. Chandran first worked with Aruna on the 1986 dance film Naache Mayuri, which was based on Chandran's own life, and they later shared the screen on television, according to The Indian Express.

A career spanning decades

Aruna began acting as a child and went on to deliver memorable performances in negative and supporting roles, Hindustan Times notes, in films including Caravan, Bobby, Beta, Raja Babu and Dil To Pagal Hai. She has also worked in Marathi and Gujarati films and on television, in shows such as Des Mein Niklla Hoga Chand and Jhansi Ki Rani. She was last seen in Vishal Bhardwaj's O'Romeo earlier this year, The Indian Express reports.

Kohli was best known for launching Ajay Devgn with the film Phool Aur Kaante, Hindustan Times notes, and his films also include Suhaag, Haqeeqat and Anari No. 1.

Through it all, it's the love from her fans that Aruna wanted to talk about. We're sending ours too, Aruna ji.