Former Bollywood actress Mamta Kulkarni, who was recently appointed as Mahamandaleshwar of Kinnar Akhara at the ongoing Maha Kumbh, was later expelled due to internal conflicts within the community. Additionally, rumours circulated that she had paid Rs 10 crore to secure the position. Refuting the allegations, Mamta Kulkarni has spoken out about the issue.
Talking about her financial struggles, Mamta denied the allegations and said, “Forget ₹10 crore; I do not have even ₹1 crore with me. The government has seized my bank accounts. You don’t know how I am surviving. I have no money. I had to borrow ₹2 lakh from somebody to offer as ‘dakshina’ to my guru when I was made Mahamandaleshwar.”
She further revealed, “Three of my apartments are in a state of disrepair, infested with termites, because they have remained closed for the past 23 years. I cannot even begin to describe the financial crisis I am going through.”
Mamta’s appointment as Mahamandaleshwar of the Kinnar Akhara sparked an internal dispute within the community. Akhara founder Rishi Ajay Das announced her expulsion on January 31 in a press statement, citing her appointment ridiculed Akhara’s customs and Hindu religion.
Mamta Kulkarni was a known face in 90s Bollywood who worked in several films like Tirangaa, Waqt Hamara Hai, Krantiveer, Karan Arjun, Sabse Bada Khiladi, and Baazi. She later left the industry and settled abroad following the allegations of having ties with the underworld.