Veteran Bollywood actress Mamta Kulkarni, a popular face in the 90s, was known not only for her acting but also for her controversial statements and actions.
With memorable roles in films like Karan Arjun, Kabhie Tum Kabhie Hum, and Andolan, Mamta’s fame was sometimes overshadowed by her tendency to court controversies.
One of the most publicised incidents in her career involved a heated confrontation with actress Ameesha Patel. This altercation, which took place years ago at a party in Mauritius, drew attention due to the dramatic nature of the exchange, and it later became fodder for tabloid gossip.
The Root of the Conflict: A Dispute Over Meat
The incident reportedly occurred at a private, invitation-only party hosted by a mutual friend in Mauritius. As per a report from Masala magazine, the argument between Mamta Kulkarni and a waiter began over a seemingly trivial issue: the quality of the meat being served. Mamta, a guest at the event, found the meat to be unsatisfactory and voiced her displeasure. The waiter, in his defence, explained that the dish in question was venison (deer meat), not chicken. However, Mamta, according to sources, was not convinced and created a scene over the matter.
Ameesha Patel, who was also at the party, witnessed the altercation and reportedly commented on Mamta’s behaviour, specifically her lack of social etiquette in handling the situation.
This remark, though relatively mild, did not sit well with Mamta Kulkarni, who seemed to take it as an affront. The situation quickly escalated when Mamta’s friend overheard Ameesha’s comment and passed it on to the actress, sparking a verbal exchange between the two.
The Verbal Confrontation: Star Power and Personal Insults
The confrontation took a more personal turn when Mamta, feeling slighted, retorted with a comment meant to belittle Ameesha. According to sources, Mamta sneered, “You are here in Mauritius to shoot for hair oil, aren’t you? Well, for your information, while you get paid a measly Rs one lakh, I get Rs 15 lakh for the same. So you tell me, who is the bigger star, you or me?”
When asked about the incident many years later, Ameesha Patel downplayed the issue, brushing it off as a thing of the past. “Oh no, you are talking of an incident that happened a long time ago. She (Mamta) is dying for some publicity, that’s all. Please don’t bring it up. It’s so dumb to bring up the issue now. Mamta is uselessly getting into a controversy where there is no need to rake up the issue,” Ameesha commented, showing no interest in adding fuel to the fire.
The Heated Exchange: Personal Attacks and Physical Threats
Despite Ameesha’s attempt to downplay the situation, the tension did not dissipate entirely. In an interview, the Gadar actress further elaborated on the incident, recalling how Mamta's behaviour at the dinner party had caused considerable discomfort. “All of us were at a dinner party thrown by Mr. Bajaj (of the Bajaj Sevashram fame), and Mamta was complaining and harassing everybody about the food,” Ameesha recalled. “Forget Mamta, even her secretary started abusing people there.”
Ameesha, concerned about the discomfort being caused by Mamta and her entourage, tried to diffuse the situation. “I didn’t want them to scream so much because Mr. Bajaj was just sitting down at the table, and I am sure he could hear everything that was being said,” she continued. “I told them, ‘Everyone is eating the same food. Despite being in Mauritius, the hosts are trying to do their best to provide a great meal by Indian cooks they have flown over, so I don’t think you should complain.’”
However, her attempt to pacify the situation only seemed to aggravate Mamta further. The actress, who appeared to have a heightened sense of her own star status, responded angrily, asking, “Who do you think you are?”
It was at this point that the altercation escalated further. According to reports, Ameesha Patel, feeling pushed to her limits, fired back with a sharp remark: “If you got a little educated, it would have helped you.” This comment seemed to trigger Mamta's secretary, who reportedly came close to physically threatening Ameesha. The situation looked as though it might spiral into something more severe, but just as things were about to get physical, Ameesha’s mother intervened.The Intervention: A Mother’s Protection
As Mamta’s secretary allegedly raised her hand in aggression, Ameesha's mother stepped in. She reportedly caught the secretary’s hand and yelled, “Don’t you dare to touch my daughter!” This intervention prevented what could have been a violent escalation, and the situation was ultimately defused.
Mamta Kulkarni’s Fall from Stardom
While the confrontation between Mamta Kulkarni and Ameesha Patel made headlines, it was not the only controversy surrounding Mamta's career. After reaching the peak of her acting career in the 90s, Mamta's life took a dramatic turn. In 2013, she married Vicky Goswami, a notorious drug lord from Ahmedabad, which led to her involvement in a massive international drug trafficking case. Mamta was named a co-accused in a Rs 2000-crore drug racket in 2016, though she denied all charges against her.
These allegations, combined with her controversial actions and statements, caused her career to nosedive. She eventually quit acting and retreated from the limelight. Today, Mamta Kulkarni reportedly lives a quiet life as a yogini in Kenya, far removed from the glitz and glamour of the Bollywood industry she once ruled.
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