From Mamta Kulkarni To Neeta Mehta: Actors Who Left Stardom Behind For A Higher Calling

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Famous actress from the 1990s, Mamta Kulkarni, has taken on a new role as Mahamandaleshwar and now goes by the name Mai Mamta Nandgiri. Mamta embraced a spiritual life many years ago. Though she is not the only actress who, after experiencing great fame, chose to give up her worldly pursuits to become a Sadhvi and adopted a new name. Scroll down to know about other Bollywood actresses who made such transformative decisions.

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Mamta Kulkarni, a famous actress from the 90s, has transformed into a spiritual figure known as Mai Mamta Nandgiri. Leaving behind her controversial past, including a drug case and her marriage to drug lord Vicky Goswami, she is now focused on her spiritual journey. Recently, she participated in a significant ceremony during the Maha Kumbh festival in 2025, where she performed Pind Daan and was honored with the title of Mahamandleshwar by the Kinnar Akhara. The image you see captures her after these important rituals, marking her new identity.

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Neeta Mehta was a popular actress in Bollywood during the 1970s and 80s, known for her beauty. Despite her family's disapproval, she pursued a career in films. Eventually, she left the film industry and became a spiritual guide, adopting the name Swami Nityanand Giri. Today, she shares her insights and experiences on her YouTube channel. Neeta Mehta was a well-known Bollywood actress in the 1970s and 80s. Despite her family's disapproval, she pursued acting but later left the industry to become a spiritual guide, changing her name to Swami Nityanand Giri.

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Actress Ishika Taneja, who was crowned Miss India in 2017 and recognized as the Business Woman of the World at Miss World Tourism, has decided to follow a spiritual journey. After her roles in films like "Indu Sarkar" directed by Madhur Bhandarkar and "Had" by Vikram Bhatt, she chose to receive spiritual guidance from Shankaracharya Swami Sadanand Saraswati Maharaj in Jabalpur. Ishika shared that, although she achieved fame in the film industry, she did not find true peace there. Now, she aims to dedicate her life to serving both Sanatan Dharma and humanity.

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Barkha Madan, known for her roles in various films, including Akshay Kumar's Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi, left the entertainment industry several years ago to embrace a spiritual path. She became a Buddhist nun in 2012 and adopted the name Gyalten Samten. A former Miss India finalist alongside Sushmita Sen and Aishwarya Rai, Barkha was deeply influenced by Buddhist ideologies, which ultimately led her to renounce showbiz and dedicate herself to monastic life.

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Nupur Alankar, who played the role of Geeta Vishwas' friend in the TV show Shaktimaan, had a successful career in television, appearing in around 157 shows. However, she eventually left the industry and embraced spirituality, becoming a Sadhvi. Choosing the path of renunciation, she even parted ways with her husband and started living as a beggar in Braj. She now resides in a hut there. Credit: India TV News