Neena Kulkarni

Neena Kulkarni’s got this wild, jam-packed resume that honestly makes you question what you’re doing with your own life. Born and raised in Mumbai—yeah, total city kid—she did the school thing at Canossa Convent in Mahim and then headed over to Elphinstone College because, you know, Mumbai kids go big or go home. Acting, though, that’s where her real story kicks off. She jumped onto the Marathi and Hindi theatre scenes in the ‘70s, juggling fashion shows and modeling gigs on the side. Not your average multitasker. Her big break? Meeting Pt. Satyadev Dubey, who basically became her mentor and set her up with some serious Hindi productions—think Mohan Rakesh’s Adhe Adhure and Shankar Shesh’s Mayavi Sarovar. She didn’t just stick to one language either. English plays like Educating Rita, Mahatma Versus Gandhi, and Wedding Album? Yeah, she’s been there too. And Dr. Vijaya Mehta—another legend—picked her for Hamidabai Chi Kothi, which kicked off Neena’s marathon run in Marathi theatre. She didn’t just act, she started directing too, with titles like Mahasagar and Dhyani Mani under her belt. Movies? She’s all over them. Savat Maazhi Laadki scored her a State Award for Best Actress, and Shevri snagged both a National and PIFF award. Side note: she’s nailed supporting roles too, with trophies for Sari Var Sari and Bioscope. TV fans probably recognize her from Yeh Hai Mohabatten, still going strong on the small screen. Oh, and she’s gone international—The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel and a French series, Rani. She’s literally everywhere.