One of Bollywood’s intriguing former actresses, Mamta Kulkarni was born on 20 April 1972 in Maharashtra, India. Mamta started her career in the 1990’s and carved a niche for herself in Indian cinema through her dazzling beauty, bold persona, and great performances alongside top actors of her time. She stepped into the limelight with her debut in the movie “Tirangaa” (1992). She gained recognition for her performance in the movie “Aashiq Awara” (1993), triumphing ‘New Face of the Year’ award at Filmfare Award for Lux.
After the 2002 movie, Kabhi Tum Kabhie Hum, at the peak of her career she quit the limelight. She faded from the eyes of netzines until January 2025 Pragyraj Mahakumbh to acclaim her renunciation (Sanyas) to embrace a spiritual path.
General Details
| Detail | Information |
| Real Name | Padmanati Kulkarni |
| Screen Name | Mamta Kulkarni |
| Date of Birth | 20 April 1972 |
| Age | 54 Years |
| Birth place | Mumbai |
| Debut Film | Tirangaa (1992) |
| Notable Films | Karan Arjun (1995), Baazi (1995), Sabse Bada Khiladi (1995), China Gate (1998) |
Early Life and Bollywood
She was born into a Maharashtrian Brahmin family to her father, Mukund Kulkarni, a former transport commissioner of Mumbai. She had a humble upbringing with two sisters, Priyadarshani Kulkarni (Mithali) and Mulina Kulkarni (Soumya). She completed high school at St. Joseph’s Convert High School in Juhu. Kulkarni’s mother always had a dream to purse acting but couldn’t do so due to family responsibilities. Hence, she persuaded her daughter to pursue a career in acting.
She started her career with the Tamil movie ‘Nagbargal’ in 1991 as character Priya. She made quite an image on the Tamil audience so much so that they got tattoos of her.
Her Bollywood debut was in 1992, in the movie ‘Tirangaa’, she shared screen with Raj Kumar and Nana Patekar.
She then appeared in many subsequent bollywood movies like ‘Mera Dil Tere Liye’(1992), ‘Waqt Hamara hai’ (1993), ‘Aashiq Awara’(1993), ‘Krantiveer’ (1994), ‘Karan Arjun’ (1995), ‘Ghatak: Lethal’ (1966), ‘China Gate’ (1998), Censor (2001) and ‘Kabhi Tum Kabhie Hum’ (2002).
She also enriched acting journey by appearing in films across various regional cinema including Tamil (Movie Nanbargal), Telugu (Premasikharam), Kannada (Vishnu Vijaya), and Bengali (Bhagya debata and Shesh Bongsodhar).
She is known for her performances in songs like “Koi Jaye toh” from the movie Ghatak and “Mujhko Rana ji Maaf Karna” from the film Karan Arjun.
Mamta’s on-screen performances showcased romantic themes, like shared love interests and sensual elements. Her unconventional charm and confidence made her a sought-after actress in the industry sharing screen with leading actors like Salman Khan, Amir Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, and Akshay Kumar.
Disappearance from Bollywood
By the early 2000s, Mamta Kulkarni’s Stardom had started fading away. Things started to go downhill, when conflicts started to grow between filmmakers (including Rajkumar Santoshi). Her refusal to comply to Bollywood norms and a growing disinterest in films led to her withdrawal from screen. After her last known Bollywood film ‘Kabhie Tum Kabhie Hum’ (2002), she maintained a low profile and lead her life in Dubai and Kenya.
Becoming Sadhvi and current news
Mamta Kulkarni left the silver screen and took a resort in spirituality. During her Bollywood career, she often talked about her inclination towards the otherworldliness. She claimed in a recent interview that after meeting Guru Gagan Giri Maharaj, her interest in spirituality bloomed and she was in Dubai on a reparation (during her disappearance). She now leads a life of celibacy.
She later acclaimed herself a ‘Yogini’. In 2012, she also co-authored her autobiography ‘The Autobiography of a Yogini”, in which she discussed her life and how it changed because of spiritualism.
However, Kulkarni has recently found herself embroiled in a controversy over the “Mahamandaleshwar” title. In Pragyraj Maha Kumbh Mela this year, this former actress announced her ‘Sanyas’. She was given the title of Mahamandaleshwar of Kinnar Akhara which later sparked a controversy with the Founder, Rishi Ajay Dand was also condoned by the Indian spiritual leader.
On 24th January, Mamta Kulkarni’s induction as Mahamandaleshwar was done in the presence of Juna Akhara’s Mahamandaleshwar Swami Mahendranand Giri, Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Laxmi Narayan Tripathi and other Kinnar Mahamandaleshwars.
Kulkarni was also renamed “Yamai Mamta Nand Giri”.
However, shortly after this act was opposed by Riahi Ajay Dand, announcing the removal of Mamata Kulkarni and Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Laxmi Narayan Tripathi from their position.
In a press conference followed afterword, Rishi Ajay commented, “Laxmi Narayan Tripathi is being removed from the position of Acharya Mahamandaleshwar of the Kinnar Akhara. She disregarded the principles of Sanatan Dharma and national interest by appointing Mamta Kulkarni, who has been accused in a case of sedition, as a Mahamandaleshwar without following the Akhara’s traditions.” To this, Kulkarni asserted, “Only those who are part of my board and system can remove me’.
Kulkarni further addressed the alleged rumours of her paying 10 Cr to attain the title of Mahamandaleshwar. She reflected on her financial difficulties stating “Forget ₹10 crore, I don’t even have ₹1 crore. My bank accounts have been frozen by the government. You have no idea about the hardships I am facing. I am struggling financially. I had to take a loan of ₹2 lakh from someone just to offer the customary ‘Dakshina’ to my guru when I was appointed as Mahamandaleshwar.”
Controversies
Mamta Kulkarni’s stardom made her no stranger to controversies. Here are some controversies that followed –
1. Bold photoshoot
In 1993, She became the talk of the town for her bold persona. Her topless feature on the cover of Stardust magazine created a storm in the conservative Indian media landscape. This led to a lot of trouble for her even paying a hefty fine and facing threats.
2. Durg Trafficking Allegation and underworld connections.
Kulkarni drew a lot of attention to her personal life, due to her connection with Chhota Rajan, an underworld figure associated with Dawood Ibrahim.
Years after her disappearance, Mamta Kulkarni resurfaced in the public eye for all the wrong reasons, she was held as a proclaimed offender with her husband Vivek Goswami, a known drug trafficker, for an active drug racket worth Rs. 2000 Cr. Netzines believed, that Kulkarni was linked to this 2000 Cr. Drug trafficking scandal. However, she tried to portray a clean image by denying these allegations, claiming she had renounced the material world and turned to spirituality, the controversy cast a long shadow over her past Bollywood career.
3. Fodder Scam
In 1997, Mamta performed at an event for a former Bihar Legislator. Then a claim was made by this leader that Rs 1.25 Cr was spent on her performance instead on the Fodder.
4. Burqa Controversy
On her trip to court in July, she wore a burqa which upset the sentiments of muslin communities. According to the fundamentalist group, she misused and disrespected the burqa. This act focused her in a negative light.
Final Thoughts
Mamta Kulkarni’s life story is a tale downhill, it has the elements of glamour, controversy, and mystery. There is no denying that she was once a celebrated Bollywood actress however; her life took an unexpected turn. Whether remembered for her performances or the controversies after, Mamta Kulkarni remains one of Bollywood’s most intriguing personalities. She has currently resorted to the path of Spirituality to find a greater meaning to life.
