Mamta Kulkarni has once again taken a decision that has drawn widespread attention, this time within spiritual circles. The former Bollywood actor has announced that she is stepping down as Maha Mandleshwar of the Kinnar Akhada, stating that her spiritual journey has reached a stage where it no longer needs titles, positions, or formal recognition. According to Mamta, inner growth now demands silence, freedom, and detachment rather than institutional roles.
In a statement shared on her Instagram account, Mamta confirmed that her resignation would come into effect from January 27, 2026. She emphasised that the decision was made independently and with complete clarity of thought, directly addressing speculation about internal disagreements or pressure.
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“I Mamta Mukund Kulkarni right fully in proper state of mind I am resigning from being a Maha Mandleshwar of Kinnar Akhada as of January 27th 2026. No qualms with Dr Acharya Lakshmi Narayan Tripati all love for bestowing respect,” she wrote.
By clearly stating that she was in a sound mental state, Mamta appeared intent on putting to rest any rumours suggesting conflict or coercion. She also expressed gratitude towards Dr Acharya Lakshmi Narayan Tripati, a prominent spiritual leader associated with the Kinnar Akhada, for the honour and respect she received during her brief tenure.
Mamta explained that her evolving spiritual understanding no longer aligns with structured hierarchies or designated spiritual authority. Drawing a philosophical parallel, she said her approach to spirituality would now be more fluid and independent, similar to the teachings of Jiddu Krishnamurti, who rejected organised belief systems.
“It’s just that my spiritual knowledge will flow like J Krishna Murti. Truth doesn’t need clothes or stature,” she stated, signalling a shift towards a more personal, unlabelled spiritual path.
The former actor also credited her guru, Shree Chaitnaya Gangagiri Nath, as a major influence behind her decision. She revealed that her guru never accepted any formal spiritual titles, a principle that left a lasting impression on her outlook.
“My Guru Shree Chaitnaya Gangagiri Nath didn’t accept any,” Mamta wrote, suggesting that renunciation of titles was an essential part of the spiritual discipline she now wishes to follow.
Looking ahead, Mamta said she plans to continue her spiritual practices quietly, without affiliating herself with any organisation, ideology, or spiritual group. She described her future path as one of silence, introspection, and selective sharing of knowledge, only when and where it feels necessary.
“I lived 25 years life of aesthetic will practice same in silence and part my knowledge wherever and whenever needed irrespective of any party or attributed to any specific group or like minded,” she added.
Mamta Kulkarni’s journey has been anything but conventional. She was one of the most popular Hindi film stars of the 1990s, known for her strong screen presence and successful films such as Waqt Hamara Hai, Krantiveer, Karan Arjun, Sabse Bada Khiladi, Andolan, Baazi, China Gate and Chhupa Rustam: A Musical Thriller. She stepped away from the film industry after Kabhie Tum Kabhie Hum, choosing a life away from the limelight.
After remaining largely out of public view for more than two decades, Mamta re-emerged in 2025 with the announcement that she had embraced sanyas. During the Prayagraj Mahakumbh, she was formally initiated into spiritual life, appointed as a Maha Mandleshwar of the Kinnar Akhada, and performed rituals such as pind daan and pattabhishekam. She also adopted the spiritual name Yamai Mamta Nand Giri.
However, this spiritual chapter soon became controversial. In January 2025, Kinnar Akhada founder Rishi Ajai Das announced her expulsion, reportedly citing allegations linking her to the underworld and Dawood Ibrahim. Mamta had not publicly engaged in prolonged rebuttals, choosing instead to focus on her spiritual pursuits.
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With her latest announcement, Mamta Kulkarni appears to be closing yet another chapter—this time by consciously stepping away from institutional spirituality itself. Her message is clear: for her, the pursuit of truth now lies beyond titles, robes, and recognition.
