Mamta Kulkarni Takes Sanyas at Maha Kumbh Mela, Faces Expulsion from Kinnar Akhara

Former Bollywood actress Mamta Kulkarni has taken sanyas (renunciation) during the Maha Kumbh Mela held in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. On the 24th of this month, she announced that she would become Mahamandaleshwar, dedicating her life to spirituality and the divine. She mentioned that she intends to travel on the spiritual path and has changed her name to Sri Yamai Mamta Nandgiri during this occasion.

However, this decision has sparked strong opposition. Members of the Kinnar Akhara (transgender community) raised concerns over admitting an actress into their fold, especially giving her the title of Mahamandaleshwar. In response, they have expelled Mamta Kulkarni from the Akhara and canceled the vows she took as Mahamandaleshwar. The Acharya who accepted her into the Akhara, Dr. Laxminarayan Tripathi, was also expelled.

Mamta Kulkarni gained recognition in Bollywood in the 1990s for her glamorous roles. During her rising career, rumors about her connection with underworld don Chhota Rajan emerged, which led to her stepping away from acting and fleeing abroad. After nearly 16 years, in 2016, her name surfaced in an international drug trafficking case in Kenya involving her husband, Vicky Goswami. Allegations were made that Vicky Goswami ran a drug racket worth ₹2000 crores. Mamta and Vicky were arrested by the Kenyan police in connection with this case. A non-bailable warrant was issued for her in India. After being released on bail in 2017, Mamta disappeared from the public eye until she made a reappearance at the Kumbh Mela. However, her decision to take sanyas has raised many suspicions, with rumors suggesting that it could be an attempt to distance herself from the drug trafficking charges.