LAHORE: Once a reigning star of the 1990s Bollywood scene, Mamta Kulkarni has officially renounced her past life in the limelight to embrace the path of asceticism. The actress, famous for her roles in Karan Arjun, Sabse Bada Khiladi, and Baazi, has undergone a profound transformation, adopting the name Mai Mamta Nand Giri after completing her initiation as a Hindu monk.
Mamta Kulkarni after becoming Hindu monk
A Journey into Spirituality
According to reports of Indian media, Mamta’s transition from Bollywood to monastic life has been years in the making. During the ongoing Maha Kumbh pilgrimage, she undertook the sanyas ritual at the Kinnar Akhara—a religious sect founded in 2018 by India’s transgender community. As part of the initiation, she performed the pind daan ceremony, a sacred ritual to honor ancestors, before being consecrated as mahamandaleshwar, a revered title among Hindu monks of the Dashanami order.
Speaking to the media, Mamta revealed that she had to undergo a rigorous examination to attain the title. “I was asked what I did in the past 23 years. When I successfully answered all the questions, I was granted the title of mahamandaleshwar,” she said. She also expressed her belief that the celestial alignment during this Maha Kumbh, occurring once in 144 years, made her spiritual journey even more auspicious.
Leaving Fame Behind
Mamta’s departure from Bollywood was not sudden. She had already felt drawn to spirituality by 1996, a calling that intensified after meeting her guru, Gagan Giri Maharaj. In a recent interview, she disclosed that from 2000 to 2012, she dedicated herself to deep meditation and penance, even living in solitude in Dubai for twelve years, maintaining complete celibacy.
“Bollywood gave me name and fame, but my true calling was elsewhere,” she said. “After my guru came into my life, my interest in spirituality deepened, and my penance began.”
From Controversy to Redemption
Despite her spiritual inclinations, Mamta’s name was embroiled in a legal controversy in 2016. The Thane police accused her of involvement in an international drug racket, alleging that she and her partner, Vicky Goswami, facilitated the supply of ephedrine for the production of methamphetamine. Reports suggested that the couple was based in Kenya, coordinating logistics for the operation.
However, in a dramatic turn of events, the Bombay High Court quashed the case against her last year, labeling the accusations as “manifestly frivolous and vexatious.” The court concluded that her mere presence at a meeting did not constitute criminal involvement, effectively clearing her name.
A New Chapter Begins
While some of her fans still hope for her return to Bollywood, Mamta has made it clear that she has left that world behind. “Many are upset, thinking I will return to films. But it is not in my hands. Everything is governed by the will of Mahakaal and Mahakaali,” she asserted.
From gracing the silver screen alongside Bollywood superstars to embracing the austere life of a monk, Mamta Kulkarni’s journey is nothing short of extraordinary. Her story serves as a testament to the unpredictable paths life can take, proving that transformation—no matter how radical—is always possible.
