Neena Kulkarni

• Name — Neena Kulkarni • Born — 15 August 1955 • Birthplace — Pune, Maharashtra • Birth Name — Neena Joshi • Years Active — 1977–present • Children — 2 • Occupation — * Actress • producer • director

Kulkarni was born in 1955 in Pune. Her parents were both doctors. She attended Canossa Convent High School and Elphinstone College, Mumbai. She was married to Dilip Kulkarni until his death in 2002.

Neena Kulkarni is a celebrated Indian actress, director, and producer known for her remarkable contributions to Marathi and Hindi films, television, theatre, and international cinema. Born in 1955 to a family of doctors, she was educated at Canossa Convent High School and Elphinstone College with a degree in French in Mumbai. She started her career with Modelling and became the first Clearasil Girl in print media in the early 70s. She was married to Dilip Kulkarni until his passing in 2002. They have two children, both are also working in the entertainment industry and often work alongside her, continuing the family’s creative legacy. Neena began her artistic journey in the 1970s, performing in Marathi professional theatre and Hindi experimental theatre. Before that she debuted in a Marathi commercial play- Guntata Hruday He! Later under the mentorship of the legendary Pt. Satyadev Dubey, she starred in acclaimed plays such as Adhe Adhure, Mayavi Sarovar, and Educating Rita. This was the time when she met husband Dilip Kulkarni, who was also actively involved in direction and acting in experimental and commercial theatre. Neena declined early film offers from renowned directors like V. Shantaram and Shakti Samanta to focus on stage work since she found her passion growing. Her breakthrough in Marathi theatre came in 1978 when Dr. Vijaya Mehta cast her as Shabbo in Hamidabai Chi Kothi, which began her long-standing association with Marathi theatre. Notable stage performances include Mahasagar, Savitri, Akasmat, Dhyani Mani, Vatvat Savitri, Dehabhaan, Prem Patra and now Asen me Nasen Me. As a director, she has helmed acclaimed play recreation called- Mahasagar. some hindi theatre plays like ‘doctor aap bhi’ and its marathi adaptation- doctor tumhi suddha was critically acclaimed. Naagmandal directed by her husband Dilip and matichya gaadaache prakaran were some semi experimental plays she acted in. Her notable work in English theatre is still remembered by theatre enthusiasts– some of those plays were - Educating Rita, Mahatma Versus Gandhi, and Wedding Album. She is currently in My name is Gauhar jaan- the play, as Malka jaan and older Gauhar jaan. Her work in Marathi cinema has been widely recognized. She received the Maharashtra State Film Award for Best Actress for Savat Mazi Ladki, and her performance in the lead role as Aai in Mahesh Manjrekar’s film Aai gained critical acclaim as well as box office hit! In 2005-2006, Neena produced her first film Shevri, which won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Marathi. She also played the lead character of Vidya Barve a middle class Marathi middle aged wife/mother/daughter struggling to survive in Mumbai amidst her divorce. She is forced to spend the night on the streets of Mumbai as she recounts her spree of turbulent relationships and decides to start her life afresh. This stands as Neena’s special role and project till date- as mentioned by her in some of her interviews. Neena has won a couple of Filmfare Awards Marathi for her roles in Bioscope and Mogara Phulala as Best Supporting Actress, and a filmfare Critics Award for Best Actress for Photo Prem. In Hindi cinema, she has acted in numerous successful films including Daag the fire, Nayak, Guru, Paheli, Hungama, Rann, Badal, bhootnath, Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani, Hunterrr, Mere Yaar Ki Shaadi Hai, Hasee Toh Phasee, and Ghayal: Once Again. She is also known for her popular role in the television series Yeh Hai Mohabbatein which ran on star plus for 6-7 years at a stretch. she has also done a lot of TV shows in marathi where she played vital roles – one of them being Swarajya Janani Jijamata on sony marathi where she played the lead – Jijamata and the current show Yed Lagla Premache where she is fondly known as Jiji. Neena’s work on TV has been extensive since doordarshan days. She acted in some well known shows like – Chaal naavachi Vachaal Vasti, Saalsood, Nayak, Ank Ajoobe, ados pados. In the digital space, she earned acclaim for her role in the web series Breathe and in short films such as Cuddly, Maa, and Devi. And her latest work in ‘The Royals’ on Netflix. Her international work includes The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, the French-language series Rani on France Deux, and the French feature film Noces, which premiered in Paris in 2017. In addition to her acting career, Neena Kulkarni is an accomplished writer. She penned a widely-read column titled Antarang in the Marathi daily Loksatta for over three years, which was later compiled into a published book. The book is doing its successful rounds of the 4th edition. Some of her marathi films with her offbeat yet adorable character roles are in the marathi films Kulkarni Chaukatla Deshpande by Gajendra Ahire, Pondicherry, directed by Sachin Kundalkar, and Medium Spicy, directed by Mohit Takalkar. Her lead role in the marathi film Photoprem was an official selection at the Indian Panorama (IFFI) and the Marathi competition at PIFF. Her most loved performances are in marathi films like Uttarayan and Sangeet Manapmaan, and Hindi films like - The signature, shastri Viruddh Shastri and OTT series like Unpaused and The good Karma Hospital season 3. Over her illustrious career, Neena Kulkarni has been honoured with a National Film Award, Maharashtra State Film Awards, and several Filmfare Awards Marathi, along with recognition from Natya Darpan and Jeevan Gaurav and Best actress in 2025 for Akhil bharatiya Natya Parishad. Her enduring contributions and the involvement in the entertainment business makes her a vital part of India's artistic legacy in both traditional and contemporary storytelling.

• Guntata Hruday He (1972) • Dehbhaan • Hamidabai chi Kothi • Dhyani Manee • Naagmandal • Sambhog Se Sanyas Tak • Chhapa Kata as Uttara Bhagwat • Mahatama Vs Gandhi • Educating Rita • Mahasagar as Champu • Vat Vat Savitri • Aai ch Ghar Unhacha • Prem Patra • Doctor Tumhi Suddha • Asen Me Nasen Me

• Jeena Isi Ka Naam Hai (2006) as Guest • Kammal (2002–2003) as Rinni Sanyal/Raina Bose • Kayamath (2007–2009) as Mrs. Shah / Dadi • Mathemagic co-host with Benjamin Gilani on Doordarshan • Baa Bahoo Aur Baby (2007) as Asha Ben (Guest appearance) • Meri Maa (2011–2012) as Pratibha's mother-in-law • Ek Packet Umeed (2008) as Ambika Dharamraj • Devyani (2013) as Manjula Vikhe-Patil • Yeh Hai Mohabbatein (2013–2019) as Madhavi "Madhu" Iyer • Adhuri Ek Kahani (2004–2008) as Kalyani Kedarnath Patwardhan • Ados Pados (1985) as Champakali • Swarajyajanani Jijamata (2019–2021) as Rajmata Jijabai • Raja Shivchhatrapati (2008–2009) as Badi Begum • Saarrthi (2004–2005) as Kumud Goenka • Breathe (2018) as Juliet Mascarenhas • The Good Karma Hospital (season 3) (2019) • The Kapil Sharma Show to promote Devi • Swamini (2019–2020) as Tarabai • Unpaused: Naya Safar (2022) • Yed Lagla Premacha • Ankakee (2001) • Lajja (2010–2011) as Vasumati • Rani (2011) as Queen Mother • Unch Majha Zoka (2012–2013) as Aaji • Ank Ajoobe • Nayak • Chaal Navachi Vachal Vasti