Former Bollywood actress Mamta Kulkarni, who was recently appointed as the Mahamandaleshwar of Kinnar Akhara, has responded to the allegations that she paid ₹10 crore to acquire the prestigious position. In an interview with Rajat Sharma on Aap Ki Adalat, Kulkarni denied the claims and shed light on her current financial struggles.
Denying the accusation that she paid a substantial amount to become Mahamandaleshwar, Kulkarni emphasized that she does not possess such large sums of money. She stated, “Forget ₹10 crore, I don’t even have ₹1 crore. The government has seized my bank accounts. You don’t know how I’m surviving. I had to borrow ₹2 lakh from someone to offer dakshina to my guru when I was made Mahamandaleshwar.”
Kulkarni further elaborated on her financial difficulties, revealing that she is struggling with a severe crisis. “Three of my apartments are in a state of disrepair, infested with termites, because they have been closed for the past 23 years. I cannot even begin to describe the financial crisis I am going through,” she explained.
Her appointment as Mahamandaleshwar, the highest spiritual position in the Kinnar Akhara, had already sparked controversy and created internal discord within the community. The tensions led to her expulsion from the post on January 31. Rishi Ajay Das, the founder of Kinnar Akhara, issued a statement announcing her removal, citing that she was conferred the title without following the proper religious and akhara traditions, including renunciation.
According to Rishi Ajay Das, Mamta Kulkarni’s elevation to the position was in violation of standard procedures, as she was not made a renunciant before being conferred the title of Mahamandaleshwar. “In the interest of the country, Sanatan Dharma, and society, I am reluctantly compelled to relieve her from the post,” he added.
A Glimpse Into Mamta Kulkarni’s Career
Mamta Kulkarni, known for her roles in popular Bollywood films of the 1990s, made her debut in the 1992 film Tirangaa. She went on to star in several commercially successful movies, including Krantiveer, Karan Arjun, Sabse Bada Khiladi, and Baazi. Kulkarni also became well-known for her item song Mujhko Ranaji Maaf Karna. However, she left the film industry in the early 2000s and chose to settle abroad, distancing herself from the glitz and glamour of Bollywood.
Her recent involvement with the Kinnar Akhara and the subsequent controversy surrounding her expulsion has brought her back into the limelight, but it is clear that her financial situation remains a significant concern.
Sources By Agencies
