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Mamta Kulkarni becomes Sadhvi at Mahakumbh: Check the Bollywood actress’ journey from underworld to spirituality
- Mamta Kulkarni at Mahakumbh: Actor Mamta Kulkarni has begun a spiritual journey, renouncing her worldly life and adopting the identity of ‘Mai Mamta Nand Giri.’
Mamta Kulkarni at Mahakumbh: After captivating her fans with various roles in films, actor Mamta Kulkarni on Friday embarked on a spiritual journey by renouncing her worldly life and assumed a new identity of ‘Mai Mamta Nand Giri’, the Uttar Pradesh government said. The actress who is best known for her role in 'Karan Arjun' alongside Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan, returned to India after 25 years last month.
Kulkarni first took ‘sanyas’ in the Kinnar Akhara and then she got a new name in the same akhara. After performing ‘Pind Daan’, the Kinnar Akhara performed her pattabhishek (consecration ceremony). Kinnar Akhara's Mahamandaleshwar Kaushalya Nand Giri alias Tina Maa told PTI that Kulkarni performed her own ‘Pind Daan’ on the banks of River Ganga on Friday. Around 8 pm, she was consecrated as mahamandaleshwar amid Vedic chanting in the Kinnar Akhara.
What does mahamandaleshwar mean?
Kulkarni joined the ranks of the revered mahamandaleshwars. It is a title given to spiritual leaders who play a vital role in religious discourse and social upliftment.
Kulkarni said in a statement that she took initiation ('deeksha') from Guru Shri Chaitanya Gagan Giri at Kupoli Ashram 23 years ago and now she was entering a new life with complete sanyas. While speaking to PTI, she said she had to face an examination for the title of mahamandaleshwar. “I was asked what did I do in 23 years. When I cleared all the examinations, I got the 'upaadhi' of mahamandaleshwar,” she said.
Mamta Kulkarni at Mahakumbh: ‘Will independently preach Sanatan Dharma’
She said she joined the Kinnar Akhara because it was the ‘madhyam maargi’ (middle path). “I did not want to go back to Bollywood, so I left Bollywood 23 years ago. Now, I will independently preach Sanatan Dharma by adopting the ‘madhyam maarg’. I had earlier come here for Maha Kumbh 12 years ago,” she said.
‘Did not take sanyas due to any problem, but…’
Speaking about her film journey, she said, “I acted in 40-50 films and when I left the film industry, I had 25 films in hand. I did not take sanyas due to any problem, but to experience the bliss.”
Mamta Kulkarni controveries
₹2,000 crore drug case
Mamta Kulkarni was accused in ₹2,000 crore drug case in 2016. However, in August 2024, the Bombay High Court dismissed the criminal charges against her, citing insufficient evidence. In April 2016, Thane Police intercepted two vehicles and found that the passengers were carrying 2-3 kg of Ephedrine powder worth ₹80 lakh. Ephedrine powder is a controlled substance under the Narcotics Act. According to an India Today report, the drivers of the vehicles, Mayur and Sagar, were arrested, and both accused were carrying fake identity cards from a pharmaceutical company.
Links with underworld
Several reports have claimed that she was dating gangster Chhota Rajan. A Republic World report mentioned that director Rajkumar Santoshi had cast Kulkarni in the 1998 film China Gate. However, she was removed from the film midway due to some issues. The report also stated that after alleged threats from Chhota Rajan and his associates, Kulkarni was brought back into the film.
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Business NewsNewsMamta Kulkarni becomes Sadhvi at Mahakumbh: Check the Bollywood actress’ journey from underworld to spirituality
First Published:25 Jan 2025, 09:44 AM IST
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