Discover the fascinating life and career of Neena Kulkarni, a celebrated Indian actress renowned for her contributions to theatre, film, and television. From her early beginnings to her international acclaim, this comprehensive biography details her journey.

Wiki/Biography

Neena Kulkarni was born on Wednesday, August 15, 1955 (age 69 years as of 2024), in Pune, Maharashtra. Her zodiac sign is Leo. She completed her schooling at Canossa High School, Mahim in Mumbai. She then attended Elphinstone College in Mumbai, graduating with a degree in Arts, majoring in French.

Physical Appearance

• Height (approx.): 5′ 5″
• Eye Colour: Dark Brown
• Hair Colour: Salt & Pepper

Family & Caste

Neena Kulkarni hailed from an upper-middle-class family. Her father, Dr. V. G. Joshi, and mother, Kamal Joshi, were both doctors.

Relationships, Husband & Children

She had a courtship of almost six years with the late Marathi actor, Dilip Kulkarni, marrying him on October 25, 1980. They had two children: Sohaa Kulkarni, involved in TV production, and Divij Kulkarni, who works in advertising. Sadly, her husband passed away on December 22, 2002, due to a severe heart condition.

Career

While still in college, she began modeling in various fashion shows. Her impressive resume includes numerous television commercials for brands like Kalnirnay, Bisleri, Sprite, Mother Dairy, Cadbury, and the Life Insurance Corporation.

In 1970, she met renowned Indian theatre director and actor, Satyadev Dubey, who provided her with foundational acting training. She subsequently performed in numerous popular Marathi and Hindi theatre productions, including works such as Mohan Rakesh’s “Adhe Adhure,” Shankar Shesh’s “Mayavi Sarovar,” Willie Russell’s “Educating Rita,” and Ajit Dalvi’s “Mahatma Versus Gandhi.”

In 1978, she was cast by the acclaimed Indian Marathi film and theatre director, Vijaya Mehta, in Anil Barve’s play “Hamidabai Chi Kothi,” playing the role of “Shabbo.” She collaborated extensively with Vijaya Mehta, both acting in and assisting with her acting workshops. Her Bollywood debut came in 1987 with “Mirch Masala,” where she played a pepper factory worker.

Her extensive film career includes supporting roles in many Bollywood films like “Daayraa” (1996), “Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani” (2000), “Hungama” (2003), “Paheli” (2005), and “Guru” (2007). She is equally celebrated for her work in Marathi cinema, starting in 1992 with “Hach Sunbaicha Bhau” and starring in notable films like “Pachhadlela” (2004), “Sarivar Sari” (2005), “Shevri” (2006), “Gandha” (2009), and “Kulkarni Chaukatla Deshpande” (2019).

Her television work encompasses numerous serials such as “Saarrthi” (2004), “Baa Bahoo Aur Baby” (2005), “Kayamath” (2007), and the popular “Yeh Hai Mohabbatein” (2013). In 2006, she produced the Marathi film “Shevri” under her production company, “Upstage Film Company,” which went on to win the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Marathi in 2007. Her international credits include roles in the Hollywood film “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel” (2012) and the French film “A Wedding” (2016). She also appeared in the Hindi short film “Devi” (2020) alongside notable actors.

Facts/Trivia

• Featured in the Bagpiper’s calendar in 1970.
• Follows a non-vegetarian diet.
• Has several tattoos.
• Enjoys reading and listening to music.
• Recipient of numerous prestigious awards.
• Worked as a columnist for the Marathi newspaper “Loksatta.”
• An avid dog lover.
• Publicly addressed false reports of her death in October 2024.