Sat Jan 25 14:20:39 IST 2025: ## Former Bollywood Star Mamta Kulkarni Renounces Fame, Takes Sanyas at Maha Kumbh Mela

**Prayagraj, India** – Mamta Kulkarni, a prominent Bollywood actress of the 1990s known for her glamorous roles and controversial image, has reportedly renounced her former life and embraced sanyas (religious renunciation) at the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025. The ceremony, which took place on Friday at the Kinnar Akhara, included a “Pind Daan” ritual at the Sangam followed by a coronation where she received the spiritual name “Shri Yamai Mamta Nand Giri” and the title of Mahamandleshwar.

Kulkarni, who amassed a reported net worth of $10 million during her film career, disappeared from the public eye years ago. In 2016, she was implicated in a major drug trafficking case alongside her partner, Vicky Goswami. After a 25-year absence from India, she returned in December 2024 and has now reportedly found spiritual solace.

In a recent interview with IANS, Kulkarni attributed her departure from Bollywood and India to a growing interest in spirituality, beginning in 1996 after meeting Guru Gagan Giri Maharaj. She described a period of penance, including 12 years of celibacy in Dubai, before returning to India for the Maha Kumbh Mela.

Kulkarni’s Bollywood career spanned less than a decade but saw her star in over 50 films alongside top actors like Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, and Aamir Khan. She was known for her bold roles and memorable songs in films such as *Karan Arjun*, *Baazi*, and *China Gate*. Her departure from the industry in 2002 left a lasting mark, and her topless photoshoot remains a topic of discussion today. This dramatic shift to a life of religious devotion marks a significant turning point for the once-iconic actress.

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