Mamta Kulkarni Biography Mahamandaleshwar Shree Yamai Mamta Nand Giri (born April 20, 1972), formerly known as Mamta Kulkarni, is an Indian former actress, model, and now a Hindu monk. She is recognized for her work in Hindi cinema, having appeared in several commercially successful films like Waqt Hamara Hai (1993), Krantiveer (1994), Karan Arjun (1995), Sabse Bada Khiladi (1995), Andolan (1995), Baazi (1996), China Gate (1998), and Chhupa Rustam: A Musical Thriller (2001). Her breakout role in Aashiq Awara (1993) earned her the Filmfare Award for Lux New Face of the Year in 1994.
Mamta Kulkarni Biography
Kulkarni was born into a Marathi-speaking family and grew up on Yari Road, Versova, Andheri West, alongside her two sisters, Mithila and Moulina. Despite her Marathi accent and limited fluency in English, Mamta made her way into Bollywood with a series of notable roles. She began her film career in 1992 with Tiranga, and went on to appear in hits like Karan Arjun, Sabse Bada Khiladi, Baazi, and ultimately Kabhie Tum Kabhie Hum in 2002. Her performance in Aashiq Awara, where she starred opposite Saif Ali Khan, earned her the prestigious Filmfare New Face award, sponsored by Lux. In most of her films, Mamta was cast in glamorous, sexy roles featuring elaborate song-and-dance sequences. Though she attempted to break away from this typecasting with a role in Raj Kumar Santoshi’s China Gate, the film flopped.
Mamta Kulkarni Biography Overview
Born | Mamta Kulkarni 20 April 1972 (age 52), Mumbai, Maharashtra, India |
Other names | Mamta Kulkarni Mamta Goswami |
Occupations | Actress Model Dancer Monk |
Years active | 1989–2003 2025–present |
Partner | Vicky Goswami (1996–2016) |
Category | Biography |
Mamta Kulkarni key Details
Mahamandaleswar Shree Yamai Mamta Nand Giri formerly known as Mamta Kulkarni is an Indian former actress and model turned Hindu monk known for her work in Hindi cinema.
- Born: 20 April 1972 (age 52 years), Mumbai
- Spouse: Vicky Goswami (m. 2013)
- Height: 58 m
- Siblings: Moulina Kulkarni, Mithila Kulkarni
- Parents: Mukund Kulkarni
Early Life
Mamta Kulkarni was born in Mumbai, Maharashtra, into a middle-class Marathi Brahmin family. Her father, Mukund Kulkarni, was a former Mumbai commissioner. She has two sisters and attended St. Joseph’s High School in Juhu, where she actively participated in school plays and cultural programs. Kulkarni was in a relationship with Vicky Goswami, which lasted until 2016.
Mamta Kulkarni Net worth 2025
Mamta Kulkarni estimated Net worth is $ 10 million. (85 Crores INR)
When Mamta Kulkarni revealed she never wanted to be an actress:
Year | Event |
1992 | Film Debut: Mamta Kulkarni debuted in Tirangaa. |
1993 | Breakthrough Role: Starred in Aashiq Awara, marking her rise in Bollywood. |
1990s | Iconic Songs: Featured in hit songs like Koi Jaaye Toh Le Aaye (Ghatak), Maang Meri Bharo (Sabse Bada Khiladi), and Chudiyan Bajaungi (Betaaj Badshah). |
Late 1990s | Underworld Controversies: Alleged links to underworld don Chhota Rajan. |
1998 | China Gate Controversy: Initially removed from China Gate, reinstated after alleged threats from Chhota Rajan’s associates. |
1998 | Alleged Inappropriate Advances: Mamta accused director Rajkumar Santoshi of making advances, leading to reduced screen time in China Gate. |
Late 1990s | Relationship with Vicky Goswami: Met international drug dealer Vicky Goswami; associated with him professionally and personally. |
2013 | Marriage Rumors: Rumors of her marriage to Vicky Goswami began circulating, which Mamta denied. |
2016 | Drug Case Implication: Mamta was implicated in a ₹2000 crore drug case with Goswami, while living abroad, and was declared a fugitive. |
2022 | Spiritual Journey: Mamta revealed she had distanced herself from Goswami, and last contacted him in 2016. |
Present | Spiritual Life: Took ‘sanyas’ under the Kinnar Akhara, focused on penance and inner peace, renouncing her past life in Bollywood. |
Bio/Wiki
Full Name | Mamta Mukund Kulkarni |
Real Name | Padmavati Kulkarni |
Other Name | Shri Yamai Mamta Nandgiri (after taking sanyas) |
Nickname | Rani |
Profession(s) | Former Actress, Yogini |
Physical Stats & More
Height (approx.) | 5′ 3″ (161 cm) |
Eye Colour | Brown |
Hair Colour | Brown |
Career
Debut | Film (Tamil): Nanbargal (1991) as Priya Film (Hindi): Mera Dil Tere Liye (1992) as Priya R. Singh (Telugu): Prema Sikharam (1992) as Preeti Film (Kannada): Vishnu Vijaya (1993) as Sonali (Bengali): Bhagya Debata (1995) in special appearance Film (Malayalam): Chandamama (1999) in special appearance |
Award | 1994: Filmfare Award for Lux New Face of the Year for the Hindi film Aashiq Awara |
Personal Life
Date of Birth | 20 April 1972 (Thursday) |
Age (as of 2025) | 52 Years |
Birthplace | Mumbai, Maharashtra |
Zodiac sign | Aries |
Autograph | |
Nationality | Indian |
Hometown | Mumbai |
School | St. Joseph’s High School Juhu, Mumbai |
Religion | Omnist Note: Reportedly, for her alleged marriage with Vicky, she converted to Islam. |
Caste | Kokanastha Brahmin |
Ethnicity | Marathi |
Hobbies | Dancing, Reading Books, Doing Meditation |
Controversies | Controversial Cover Shoot In 1993, she posed topless for Stardust magazine, after which she was criticized for this. Tiff With Rajkumar Santoshi Rajkumar Santoshi signed her in the film China Gate, but due to some issues, he wanted to drop her. He then received some underworld threatening calls, and he continue with her. After the failure of the film, she accused Rajkumar of allegedly trying to sexual harass her and even reduced her scenes in the film. Hurting Religious Sentiments She wore a burqa during a court hearing after which she was blamed for misusing it and hurting Muslim sentiments. She received various threats, but it gradually stopped after she was released by the Bombay High court in January 2004. Relationship with a Drug Peddler After she left Bollywood, she moved to Dubai where her boyfriend Vicky Goswami was living. Vicky was then arrested for illicit drug trafficking in 1997 and was given 25 years of imprisonment in Dubai. Reportedly, Mamta was handling his illegal business in his absence. However, she denied all such claims. |
Relationships & More
Marital Status | Married Note: According to her, she is unmarried and following celibacy for around 23 years. |
Affairs/Boyfriends | Tinu Verma (actor, action director) Vicky Goswami (businessman) |
Marriage Date | 10 May 2013 (rumoured) |
Family
Husband/Spouse | Vicky Goswami (rumoured; businessman) Note: Mamta never accepted that Vicky was her husband. She said that he was only a partner. |
Children | None |
Parents | Father– Mukund Kulkarni (former commissioner of Mumbai) |
Siblings | Sister– Priyadarshani Kulkarni aka Mithila, Mulina Kulkarni aka Soumya Kulkarni (both actress) |
Other Relative(s) | Maternal Uncle: Vartak (Marathi stage actor) Maternal Aunt: Usha Kiran (from mother’s side) Niece: Saiyami Kher (her cousin brother’s daughter) Cousin: Tanvi Azmi (actor; from mother’s side) |
Favourites
Actor | Salman Khan |
Food | Seafood (earlier) |