After becoming a saint during the Maha Kumbh, former Bollywood actress Mamta Kulkarni finally spoke out about the controversy that arose earlier this year. As a Mahamandaleshwar of the esteemed Kinnar Akhada, the former actress returned to India in December 2024 after a 25-year hiatus and arrived in Prayagraj in January 2025 to begin a new life and a spiritual journey. Things changed, though, when the founder of the Akhada accused the former actress of “treason,” and many others disagreed with the notion that she would suddenly become a saint.

Mamta Kulkarni, who caused a stir when she was appointed as the Kinnar Akhada’s Mahamandaleshwar, recently resigned from her position and declared that she will pursue her spiritual path as a sadhvi, or female spiritual seeker. Mamta has now discussed the controversy surrounding her transformation into Mahamandaleshwar, months after the altercation.

Speaking to ANI, the actress expressed, “It was all in God’s hands for me to become Mahamandaleshwar in that Kumbh, which was such a holy occasion in 140 years. God provided me with the fruits of 25 years of my ‘tapasya’. So, that happened.”

Before she retired from acting, Mamta Kulkarni’s final appearance on screen was in the 2002 movie Kabhie Tum Kabhie Hum. She was once a well-known figure in Indian cinema, but she fled the nation after becoming embroiled in a drug trafficking case worth Rs. 2000 crore and being linked to drug lord Vicky Goswami. Following 25 years of exile abroad, the former actress returned to India in late 2024 after her name was cleared from the case.

This year, at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, Mamta shocked everyone by becoming a sadhvi and following a spiritual path. In January 2025, Laxmi Narayan, the Kinnar Akhada’s Acharya Mahamandaleshwar, declared that Mamta Kulkarni had begun her spiritual path as a Mahamandaleshwar. Mamta talked about her spiritual journey and being the chosen one after becoming the Mahamandaleshwar. Following her coronation ceremony, the actress made the following statements to various media outlets:

“Lekin aaj mujhe maha shakti ne aadesh diya ki mujhe ye chunna hai, mujhe poocha gaya.” Saal hog aye dhyaan aur tapp karte hue aaj mujhe 23. “Har prakaar ke prashan se mai pass ho gayi, tab jaake mujhe Mahamandaleshwar upaadhi prapt hui.” “Meri kaafi pareeksha li gayi.

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Mamta Kulkarni:

Mamta changed his name to “Shri Yamai Mamta Nand Giri” after ascending to the position of Mahamandaleshwar in the Kinnar Akhada. For the uninitiated, the leaders are in charge of promoting the Sanatan Dharma, and Mahamandaleshwar is a unique title only given to Hindu monks of the Dashanami order.