 "Mandana Karimi")
Mandana Karimi is an Iranian-American actress and model known for her appearances in the Indian entertainment media industry. She was born Manizeh Karimi on 19 May 1988 into a Muslim family in Tehran to parents of Indian Origin. She had a culturally diverse upbringing and completed her education in Tehran. Her fascination with the glamour world helped push her to a career in modelling and, later, into entertainment.
She is known for her featured appearance in major Bollywood movies like Roy (2015), Bhaag Johnny (2015), and Kya Kool Hain Hum (2016). She was also a prominent contestant in a popular reality TV show, ‘Big Boss 9’ and ‘Lock Up’ in 2022.
Mandana Karimi Personal, Family Details
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Manizeh Karimi |
| Stage Name | Mandana Karimi |
| Date of Birth | May 19, 1988 |
| Age | 36 years (as of 2024) |
| Place of Birth | Tehran, Iran |
| Nationality | Iranian-Indian |
| Zodiac Sign | Taurus |
| Height | 5’7” (170 cm) |
| Weight | Approx. 55 kg |
| Eye Color | Brown |
| Hair Color | Dark Brown |
| Marital Status | Divorced |
| Ex-Husband | Gaurav Gupta (Businessman) |
| Boyfriend | Not publicly known |
| Children | None |
| Profession | Actress, Model |
| Debut Film | Bhaag Johnny (2015) |
| Famous For | Bigg Boss 9 (2015-16) |
| TV Shows | Bigg Boss 9, Lock Upp |
| Movies | Kyaa Kool Hain Hum 3, Roy |
| Net Worth | Approx. ₹10-12 Crore ($1.2-1.5M) |
| Hobbies | Traveling, Dancing, Yoga |
| Likes | Adventure Sports, Pet Lover |
| Dislikes | Dishonesty, Smoking |
| Favorite Actor | Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan |
| Favorite Actress | Deepika Padukone, Priyanka Chopra |
| Favorite Food | Italian, Persian Cuisine |
| Favorite Destination | Maldives, Paris |
| Social Media | Instagram: @mandanakarimi |
| Smoking Habit | No |
| Drinking Habit | Occasionally |
| Languages Known | Persian, English, Hindi |
| Fitness Routine | Yoga, Gym, Pilates |
| Controversies | Divorce battle, Lock Upp feuds |
Early Life and Background
Karimi was born in Tehran to a father of Iranian and Indian ancestry and a Persian Mother. She has a younger and older brother as well. It is known that her education was completed in Tehran itself. But she had to visit India many times due to her Indian connections. She can speak Hindi, English, and Persian. Because of this, Karimi’s multicultural childhood shaped her resilient personality and worldview.
Career
Mandana Karimi once stated in an interview that at the age of 20, she did a photo shoot of herself for a friend’s university project, which was appreciated by everyone. This spiked her interest in modelling, and she quit her air hostess job in Dubai at the time to pursue her career in the modelling industry.
In 2010, she signed a three-month contract in India. She worked on various international modelling gigs with worldwide brands and in fashion weeks with designers like Abu Jain, Sandeep Khosla, JJ Valaya, Anna Singh, and Satya Paul. She has also started in commercials opposite major names like Shahrukh Khan, Shahid Kapoor, Saif Ali Khan, Kareena Kapoor, and Arjun Kapoor in the Indian frame.
One major highlight of Karimi’s career was her participation in the 2015 “Big Boss 9”, where she made it to the Session’s finale, ending as a Second runner-up. Bigg Boss has a massive impact on her career with a massive fan following and new opportunities.
In 2015, Mandana made her on-screen Bollywood debut in the movie ‘Roy’ starring Arjun Rampal, Jacqueline Fernandez, and Ranbir Kapoor as Anita. In the same year, she starred as Rachel D’ Costa opposite Kunal Khemu and Zoa Morani in the 2015 movie ‘Bhaag Johnny’. Followed by the movie ‘Main Aur Charles’, in the same year.
In 2016, Karimi was featured in a sex comedy ‘Kyaa Kool Hain Hum 3’. She also got to work in an Indian Chinese Film ‘Xuanzang’ (2016).
She made her name in the Indian Teleshop in 2018 in a Starplus series ‘Ishqbaaz’. Her OTT project includes 2020 zee5’s web series ‘The Casino’ and the 2022 Netflix movie, ‘Thar’.
She has a net worth of over two crores. She charges approximately 70k per episode and takes up brand sponsorship for her Instagram, with millions of followers for a good sum.
Personal Life and Career Shift
Karimi has always been a Candid individual, and she tied the Knot with her boyfriend, Gaurav Gupta, an Indian Businessman, in 2017 after two and half years of dating. However, her married life came crashing down within 6 months of marriage, and she decided to separate from her husband and file for a divorce under the allegation of Domestic Violence against her husband, Gaurav Gupta. In 2021, she finally got divorced, which dragged her into the media spotlight for personal reasons.
Additionally, she was a prominent voice in the #MeToo Movement in India. She spoke up about the harassment she suffered at the hands of Sajid Khan and filmmaker Umesh Ghadge and strongly advocated for women’s rights in the industry.
Recently Mandana Karimi has shifted her career focus from acting towards interior design and Academia. In a recent interview, while she admired her time in the entertainment industry, she commented, ‘I never loved acting, it was just a job’. She started her career at and young age to pay bills and missed out on her time in academia. She never truly got the satisfaction and balance she strived for.
The actress also mentioned how her life has truly changed after dropping acting gigs. She further added that she has been turning down acting offers and audition calls from her casting director friends saying that “It is hard to say no to money,” but she can’t devote so much time to this now. Now at the age of 36, Karimi is taking charge of her life, redefining her career chronology and diving into new possibilities. She said, ‘Doing a 9 to 5 job, now I finish work, then come home and go to school… my life has changed so much. But I’m loving it.’
Mandana Karimi Beyond the Screen
- Mandana Karimi has an active social media presence and is often time seen posting quotes from her favourite writers. She once posted a quote by Elizabeth Gilbert, an author known for her novel ’Eat, Pray, Love’, stating her views on strong women and positive spirits.
- This Iranian actress has also been praised worldwide for her striking resemblance to Hollywood star Elizabeth Jane Hurley.
- She is a fitness freak and loves kickboxing for relaxation.
- The actress has a multicultural background with a touch of Iranian, Persian, and Indian ancestry and, as a result, is fluent in languages like Persian, English, and Hindi.
- Serving a good cause, she is helping underprivileged children by working alongside a Non-Profit Organization.
- She owns an Iranian Restaurant which she started in 2019, by the name Mandana’s Kitchen.
- She owns two dogs, which she often posts about on Instagram.
FAQs Related Mandana Krimi
Q. What was Mandana Karimi’s birth name?
Her birth name is Manizeh Karimi.
Q. Which school did Mandana Karimi attend in Tehran?
She studied at a local school in Tehran, but specific details about the institution are not widely available.
Q. Did Mandana Karimi ever work outside the entertainment industry?
Yes, she worked as an air hostess in Dubai before pursuing a modeling career.
Q. What was her first modeling assignment in India?
Her first modeling assignment was a three-month contract in India, working with major brands and fashion designers.
Q. Did Mandana Karimi ever participate in theater or stage acting?
No, she primarily focused on modeling and film acting rather than stage performances.
Q. How did Mandana Karimi get into Bollywood?
She started with television commercials featuring major Bollywood stars before transitioning into films.
Q. Which international brands has Mandana Karimi modeled for?
She has worked with international brands like Reebok, Tommy Hilfiger, and Adidas.
Q. Has Mandana Karimi ever worked in Hollywood?
No, she has not acted in Hollywood films, but she has international modeling experience.
Q. What is Mandana Karimi’s favorite fitness routine?
She loves kickboxing, yoga, and strength training to maintain her fitness.
Q. Has Mandana Karimi ever appeared in a music video?
Yes, she has featured in several music videos, but they are not as widely known as her film and TV work.
Q. What languages can Mandana Karimi speak fluently?
She speaks Persian, Hindi, and English fluently due to her multicultural background.
Q. What is Mandana Karimi’s favorite Indian food?
She enjoys biryani, butter chicken, and kebabs from Indian cuisine.
Q. Does Mandana Karimi have any tattoos?
Yes, she has a few tattoos, but she has not publicly revealed all their meanings.
Q. Has Mandana Karimi ever hosted a TV show?
No, she has not hosted a full-fledged TV show, but she has made guest appearances in reality shows.
Q. What does Mandana Karimi think about Bollywood’s work culture?
She has been critical of the industry, especially regarding gender biases and the treatment of women in entertainment.
Q. Did Mandana Karimi win any awards for her acting?
She has not won any major acting awards but has received recognition for her participation in reality shows like Bigg Boss 9.
Q. Which fashion designers has Mandana Karimi collaborated with?
She has worked with designers like Manish Malhotra, Sabyasachi Mukherjee, and Satya Paul.
Q. What was the reason behind Mandana Karimi’s shift from acting to interior design?
She felt that acting was just a job, and she wanted to pursue something that gave her more personal satisfaction.
Q. Has Mandana Karimi ever spoken about her religious beliefs?
She was born into a Muslim family, but she prefers to keep her personal beliefs private.
Q. What advice does Mandana Karimi give to aspiring actors and models?
She advises young actors to be financially independent and mentally strong before entering the entertainment industry.
