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Karan Arjun star Mamta Kulkarni becomes a Hindu monk

Karan Arjun star Mamta Kulkarni becomes a Hindu monk

The former Indian actor, who was accused of involvement in a drug case in 2016, completed her religious rituals and was renamed Mai Mamta Nand Giri.
27 Jan, 2025

Indian actor Mamta Kulkarni, known for her roles in Karan Arjun, Sabse Bada Khiladi and Baazi, left the entertainment industry behind to become a Hindu monk, and renamed herself Mai Mamta Nand Giri, Indian media reported on Saturday.

In a statement, the Uttar Pradesh government said in the ongoing pilgrimage Maha Kumbh, Mamta first undertook the sanyas ritual in the Kinnar Akhara — a Hindu religious order established in 2018 by the trans community of India, Indian Express reported.

According to the publication, Mamta then received her new name, performed the pind daan, a ceremony honouring deceased ancestors, and then the Kinnar Akhara consecrated her as mahamandaleshwar, a title used by some Hindu monks of the Dashanami order of swamis, amid Vedic chanting.

Speaking to the media, Mamta said she had to give an examination to receive the title of mahamandaleshwar.

“I was asked what I did in 23 years. When I cleared all the examinations, I got the upaadhi of mahamandaleshwar,” she said.

According to the Indian Express, she felt very nice that such planetary positions had formed after 144 years, adding that no Maha Kumbh could be as pious as this one.

“Several people are angry, my fans are also angry, they feel that I will return to Bollywood. But it is all right. Whatever the Gods wish. No one can supersede the will of Mahakaal and Mahakaali,” Mamta said.

Prior to her spiritual journey, Mamta worked alongside some of the biggest Bollywood actors including Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Aamir Khan and Akshay Kumar.

Mamta quit acting in 2002. In a recent interview with IANS, she said that she left India for spiritual reasons, was inclined towards spirituality in 1996 and then met Guru Gagan Giri Maharaj.

“After his arrival, my interest in spirituality increased following which my penance started. However, I believe that Bollywood gave me a name and also fame. After this, I quit Bollywood too,” Mamta said.

“From 2000 to 2012, I kept doing penance. I was in Dubai for many years, where I lived in a two-bedroom flat and remained celibate for 12 years,” she added.

In 2016, Mamta was named by the Thane police as one of the accused involved in supplying ephedrine for the illegal manufacturing of methamphetamine to a drug racket. She and her partner, Vicky Goswami, were suspected to be in Kenya where the logistics of the drug supply were allegedly discussed, the Indian Express reported.

Last year, the Bombay High Court quashed the case against her and said the “proceedings are manifestly frivolous and vexatious”, according to India Today. The court concluded that her presence at the meeting did not indicate her involvement in the case.

Comments

M. Emad Jan 27, 2025 06:39pm
Mamta Kulkarni --- my favorite actor.
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Surendra Sukhtankar Jan 27, 2025 07:05pm
Leave her to her manifest destiny .
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Laila Jan 27, 2025 07:32pm
I mean not really relevant to us in Pak... But ok whatever makes her happy. I didn't know women could become monks. Isn't the actual equivalent a nun? It's an oath of celibacy and you devote yourself to your faith by removing yourself from material and worldly life?
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hasnain Jan 27, 2025 08:23pm
Is this really a news, why dont you report on important things going on in Pakistan or is it that you are not allowed to report, quite shameful really
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Venkataraman Iyer Jan 27, 2025 08:50pm
After eating hundred rats cat performing Haj Pilgrimage
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M. Shahid Yousuf Jan 27, 2025 09:17pm
Monks are rich beyond imagination. Why work in films or drugs ?
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SyedHasni Jan 27, 2025 09:47pm
Déjà vu , I have seen this before in our celebrities. - From Singers to Cricketers. Religion sells better then entertainment at this age. Good move !
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The eastern neighbor Jan 27, 2025 10:32pm
OMG
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Mawwali Maqsood Jan 28, 2025 05:16am
How can I become her disciple?
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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad Jan 28, 2025 05:17am
No comments.
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Naila Jan 28, 2025 11:53am
Well she did not have any acting talent anyway. Whatever fame she got were due item numbers. Hope she can act better at this job.
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Gurpreet Singh Jan 28, 2025 05:27pm
She was an actress and doing this drama comes naturally to her. Maybe she’s trying to become a politician.
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