Mamta Kulkarni, who came into limelight opposite Salman Khan in ‘

Karan Arjun

’ and got very popular for her item number in the song Bhangra Paa Le, had a roller coaster journey in her career as well as in personal life.
The actress was one of the top actresses of the 90’s and was seen in some big films, such as ‘Tirangaa’, ‘Krantiveer’, ‘Sabse Bada Khiladi’, and ‘China Gate’. She was last active in the film industry when she acted in a 2003 Bangladeshi film, ‘Shesh Bongsodhar’.She then left the film industry.

Mamta’s bold on and off-screen image formed a significant part of her personality during her film career, including the controversial topless photoshoot for Stardust Magazine. However, she hit rock bottom when she accused director Rajkumar Santoshi of sexual harassment soon after ‘China Gate’ bombed at the box office. Meanwhile, rumours about her supposed romantic relationship with gangster

Chhota Rajan

and alleged wedding to drug lord

Vicky Goswami

began to emerge.

Mamta has in recent years transformed into a spiritual figure. She deserted from the film industry and opted for spirituality, later turning into a Sadhvi. In the year 2013, she published a book written about her journey into spirituality, titled Autobiography of a Yogini.
Another dramatic turn in her life was taken in 2016 when she was charged to be involved in an extremely high-profile drug trafficking case.Mamta denied involvement and termed it a frame-up. In 2024, Bombay High Court dismissed charges against her, citing there was insufficient evidence.
Mamta reflected upon her career, saying that she never loved acting and had only entered the film industry because her mother forced her into it. Nowadays, Mamta Kulkarni’s life is totally in contrast to her glamorous days in Bollywood, focusing solely on the spiritual path.