Former Bollywood Star Mamta Kulkarni Becomes Hindu Monk, Renamed Mai Mamta Nand Giri

Former Bollywood actress Mamta Kulkarni has made a significant life change by becoming a Hindu monk, adopting the name Mai Mamta Nand Giri.

This transformation occurred during the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, where she underwent the sanyas ritual at the Kinnar Akhara, a religious order known for its inclusion of transgender individuals.

Kulkarni, who gained fame in the 1990s for her roles in films like Karan Arjun and Sabse Bada Khiladi, had previously faced legal troubles, including accusations related to a ₹2,000 crore drug case in 2016. However, these charges were dismissed by the Bombay High Court in August 2024 due to insufficient evidence.

During her initiation, she performed several traditional rituals, including pind daan, which honours deceased ancestors, marking her complete renunciation of worldly ties. She was consecrated as Mahamandaleshwar, a title denoting high spiritual authority within the Kinnar Akhara.

The ceremony was conducted on January 29, 2025, with blessings from Acharya Maha Mandaleshwar Laxmi Narayan Tripathi and involved Vedic chants.

In interviews following her initiation, Kulkarni expressed her gratitude and described the moment as a culmination of years of spiritual preparation. She noted that she had been practising austerity since taking initiation from her guru in 2000. Reflecting on her journey, she stated, “What more can I ask in life? This is a great honour for me” and emphasized that her step into monastic life was not sudden but rather a long-awaited transition.

Following this significant change, Kulkarni plans to embark on further pilgrimages, including visits to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi and Ayodhya, as part of her spiritual journey.