Former actress Mamta Kulkarni, known for her roles in 90s Bollywood films, recently renounced worldly life as she took sanyas during the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025, joining the Kinnar Akhara. She assumed the title of “Mahamandleshwar” and was given the name Shri Yamai Mamta Nandgiri. After embracing the spiritual path as a Sadhvi, the Baazi actor expressed that returning to the film industry is unimaginable for her at this stage of her life.
In a conversation with India Today, Mamta shared, “I can’t even imagine doing films again. It is absolutely impossible for me now.” Reflecting on her journey in the entertainment industry, she added, “You need everything in life, including entertainment. You should acknowledge your needs. But, spirituality is something that you can only achieve through luck. Siddhartha (Prince Siddhārtha Gautama who became Lord Buddha) saw everything in his life and then decided to change.”
Speaking to the media after taking sanyaas, Kulkarni explained, “This was the order of Mahadev, Maha Kaali. This was the order of my guru. They chose this day. I didn’t do anything.” Dressed in saffron and adorned with a rudraksha mala, Kulkarni’s video of performing the traditional ‘Pind Daan’ ritual at Prayagraj’s Sangam Ghat went viral on social media.
Kulkarni’s career in Bollywood saw her working alongside stars like Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan in films such as Karan Arjun and Sabse Bada Khiladi. She was part of several commercially successful Hindi films, including Waqt Hamara Hai (1993), Krantiveer (1994), Andolan (1995), Baazi (1996), and Chhupa Rustam (2001). However, she retired from the film industry after her last appearance in Kabhie Tum Kabhie Hum.