When Mamta Kulkarni’s iconic number Gup Chup Gup Chup became a chartbuster wrapped in controversy

Mamta Kulkarni’s iconic number song, Gup Chup Gup Chup from the 1995 Bollywood blockbuster Karan Arjun was a super hit at the time, but also faced some controversy.

The song featured Mamta Kulkarni’s bold dance moves and daring lyrics, which sparked both excitement and criticism from the audience.

With the vocals of Ila Arun, Gup Chup Gup Chup stood out not just for its catchy melody, but also for its provocative lyrics. Lines like Raat kiya ri tune kaisa ghotala (What wrong thing have you done in the night?) and Aadhe bistar pe woh soya tha, Aadhe pe main bhi so gayi (He was sleeping on one side of the bed, and I slept on the other side of the bed too) left audiences divided—some amused, some shocked, and more traditional viewers outright outraged.

In 1995, critics criticised the song, calling it "indecent," "suggestive," and "disrespectful to tradition." Various social groups protested, with women's organisations calling for a ban, saying it offended Indian values.

TV channels became cautious and shifted away from primetime. Meanwhile, the audience kept replaying it and still does.

Wearing an outfit that was bold even for the '90s, Mamta Kulkarni delivered a performance that was unforgettable and widely discussed.

About Karan Arjun

Karan Arjun stars Salman Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, Mamta Kulkarni, Kajol, Rakhee Gulzar, among others. Directed by Rakesh Roshan, the film follows Durga's two sons, Karan and Arjun, as they set out to avenge their father's death, only to get themselves killed by their evil uncle. Years later, the two are reincarnated to bring justice.

Mamta Kulkarni's career downfall

Mamta Kulkarni was one of the most popular actresses in the 1990s. She was known for her bold roles and stellar performances. However, her career started to decline in the early 2000s after a series of controversies, legal troubles, and box office failures.

Her outspoken nature and disagreements with filmmakers made her hard to work with, which led to fewer film offers. Things took a darker turn when her name appeared in a high-profile drug trafficking case in 2016. Eventually, Mamta disappeared from the public eye.

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Mamta Kulkarni's spiritual journey

After years of living a secret life, Mamta Kulkarni again made headlines after she left her lavish lifestyle to embark on a spiritual path, adopting the new name "Shri Yamai Mamta Nandgiri." She later became a Mahamandaleshwar, a revered spiritual leader, on January 24 at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh.

Several saints opposed the decision to appoint her as Mahamandleshwar. Following the backlash, Rishi Ajay Das, founder of Kinnar Akhada, expelled both Mamta Kulkarni and Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Lakshmi Narayan Tripathi from the Akhada.