The Transformation of Mamta Kulkarni: From Film Star to Spiritual Leader

Mamta Kulkarni, a well-known actress from the 90s, has made headlines again after her return to India and her decision to embrace a spiritual path. Once famous for her roles alongside Salman Khan, she has now taken on the title of Mahamandaleshwar. Her past, including a controversial incident involving deer meat during a film shoot, adds layers to her story. This article delves into her transformation and the controversies surrounding her and Salman Khan, providing a fascinating glimpse into her life.

By Narendra Chaudhary Apr 23, 2026, 09:03 IST

Introduction to Mamta Kulkarni

Mamta Kulkarni, a prominent actress from the 90s, gained fame through her collaborations with Salman Khan. However, at the peak of her career, she made the unexpected decision to leave the film industry and relocate abroad. After a hiatus of 25 years, she has returned to India.

Who is Mamta Kulkarni?

Recently, Mamta Kulkarni has been in the spotlight again, particularly due to her decision to renounce worldly life during the ongoing Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj. Now known as Mahamandaleshwar Mamtanand Giri, she was honored with this title by a hijra akhada, although she was later removed from the position amid controversy.

Her Experience with Deer Meat

In a past interview, Mamta recounted an incident during an advertisement shoot where she was served a buffet that included meat. She recalled that the entire team dined together each night, and the food was exclusively non-vegetarian. She found the meal unappetizing and struggled to chew the meat. Upon raising her concerns, she learned from Mr. Bajaj that it was deer meat, which left her astonished.

Mamta remarked, 'Who eats deer meat? A person might eat chicken or mutton, but deer meat is unusual.' During this shoot, actress Ameesha Patel was also present and made a sarcastic comment about Mamta, which strained their relationship.

The Controversial Case Involving Salman Khan

The controversy surrounding Salman Khan dates back to 1998 when he was accused of hunting blackbucks while filming 'Hum Saath Saath Hain' in Jodhpur. It was alleged that he and his co-stars, including Saif Ali Khan, Tabu, Sonali Bendre, and Karisma Kapoor, went hunting in Bhavad village, where a blackbuck was killed on the night of September 27-28.

Salman has consistently denied these allegations, and recently, his father, Salim Khan, stated in an interview that Salman has never harmed any animal, not even a cockroach.

However, this statement has angered the Bishnoi community, who claim that Salim Khan is lying and that Salman did indeed kill and consume a blackbuck.