Amid Mamta Kulkarni’s Kinnar Akhara Row, A Look At The Actor's Most Controversial Moments

Mamta Kulkarni is no stranger to controversies. Time and again, the actor has made headlines for the wrong reasons. Let’s take a look at some of the biggest controversies surrounding her.

The induction of former Bollywood actress Mamta Kulkarni as a Mahamandaleshwar of the Kinnar Akhara has led to a dispute.

Source : Instagram/@mamtakulkarniofficial____

The induction of former Bollywood actress Mamta Kulkarni as a Mahamandaleshwar of the Kinnar Akhara has led to a dispute, with self-proclaimed founder Rishi Ajay Das strongly opposing her inclusion. On January 24, Kulkarni, 52, was officially given the spiritual title in the presence of Juna Akhara’s Mahamandaleshwar Swami Mahendranand Giri and Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Laxmi Narayan Tripathi. During the ceremony, she was renamed Yamai Mamta Nand Giri. 

However, Ajay Das has condemned the decision and announced Tripathi’s removal, alleging that she ignored the Akhara’s traditions and appointed Kulkarni despite her past legal controversies. 

 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Mamta Mukund Kulkarni 🔵 (@mamtakulkarniofficial____)

"Laxmi Narayan Tripathi is being removed from the position of Acharya Mahamandaleshwar of the Kinnar Akhara. She disregarded the principles of Sanatan Dharma and national interest by appointing Mamta Kulkarni, who has been accused in a sedition case," he was quoted as saying by PTI. 

In response, Tripathi dismissed his claims, asserting, "Only those who are part of my board and system can remove me." She also defended Kulkarni’s induction, clarifying, "Mamta Kulkarni is and will remain a Mahamandaleshwar. There are no charges against her anymore. All cases have been dismissed. Our legal team will take action against Ajay Das." 

Mamta Kulkarni is no stranger to controversies. Time and again, the actor has made headlines for the wrong reasons. Let’s take a look at some of the biggest controversies surrounding her: 

The infamous topless magazine cover 

In 1993, Mamta Kulkarni stirred up a major storm in the Indian entertainment industry when she posed topless for the cover of Stardust magazine. The bold photoshoot was considered highly provocative at the time, pushing the boundaries of societal norms and leaving both Bollywood and the public in shock. The controversy escalated when legal trouble followed. Obscenity charges were filed against Kulkarni, as her photoshoot was deemed to violate public decency norms. The backlash was intense, with conservative groups and moral policing bodies demanding action against the actress.

Alleged underworld links 

In the late 90s, speculation about her alleged connection with underworld figure Chhota Rajan started surfacing. During the making of China Gate, a film directed by Rajkumar Santoshi, Kulkarni was reportedly removed from the project following creative differences with the director. However, things took a dramatic turn when she allegedly returned to the film after Rajan and his associates issued threats to the filmmakers. The claims tarnished her Bollywood professional career to some extent. 

Accused Rajkumar Santoshi of inappropriate behaviour

Following China Gate’s release, the actress made headlines again when she accused Rajkumar Santoshi of inappropriate behavior. She claimed that he had made unwanted advances towards her and deliberately minimised her role in the film. Rajkumar Santoshi denied the allegation. 

Drug trafficking allegations 

Mamta Kulkarni was also embroiled in a massive ₹2,000 crore drug trafficking case. The case, which surfaced in 2016, revolved around Avon Lifesciences Ltd, a pharmaceutical company in Maharashtra accused of diverting ephedrine to Kenya for illegal methamphetamine production. Kulkarni, along with her partner Vicky Goswami—allegedly a drug kingpin—was named in the case. Authorities claimed she attended a key meeting in Kenya where the operation was discussed. 

However, the case against Kulkarni largely relied on a statement by co-accused Jay Mukhi, which he later retracted, citing coercion. With no solid proof to support the allegations, the Bombay High Court quashed the FIR against the actress, ruling that she had been unfairly implicated. 

Mamta Kulkarni stepped away from Bollywood in the early 2000s to embark on a journey of spiritual awakening. She credits her transformation to Guru Gagan Giri Maharaj and claims to have lived a celibate life in Dubai for a decade as part of her spiritual pursuit.