Do you wonder about what happened to the yesteryear actors and how they look now? Many actors like Gracy Singh, Gayatri Joshi and others who were once famous, left the film industry leaving the audiences mesmerised. One such actor from the 80s is Mandakini. The beauty who starred in Raj Kapoor's 1985 directorial, the classic film, Ram Teri Ganga Maili. The film also starred late actor Rajiv Kapoor in the lead role.
After being absent from the film industry for over two decades, the yesteryear beauty is now again in the talks because of her alleged comeback. The actor's sibling told a publication that Mandakini is looking to make a comeback. Her manager also told the publication that she is looking to make a comeback.
He was quoted saying, “Mandakini is definitely making a comeback and at present reading scripts and inviting narrations, too. She is open to working in web series and films, but wants to play central characters in the projects." He further mentioned that Mandakini is currently busy finalizing a project.
Mandakini who was born as Yasmeen Joseph to a British father and Kashmiri mother appeared in a slew of successful films like Tezaab, Qurbaan, Pyaar Karke Dekho, Dance Dance, Ladaai and others. In spite of a successful career, the actor is known for her role as Ganga. She last starred in Bollywood film Zordaar starring Govinda, Aditya Pancholi and Neelam Kothari in pivotal roles.
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Reportedly, Sonakshi Sinha's character Jasmine from Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai Dobaara! (2013) was based on Mandakini.
Mandakini got married to former Buddhist monk Dr Kagyur Rinpoche Thakur, who was the baby featured in Murphy Radio advertisements and has two children--son Rabbil and daughter Rabze Innaya. The actor embraced Buddhism after she married her husband and ran Tibetan yoga classes after becoming a follower of the Dalai Lama.
Mandakini Then VS Now Look
After being away from the silver screen for a long while, the actor, who also starred in a handful of Telugu films, is ready to make a comeback.
Mandakini who became a household name after the Raj Kapoor film recently starred in a Sajan Agarwal music video along with her son. The song titled Maa O Maa is a song about a mother and son duo. Mandakini was quoted as saying that she instantly fell in love with the song. "The best part of this song is that my son is playing the lead. We will start shooting this song by the end of the month," she added.
Her brother Bhanu speaking about her popularity and return said, "Mandakini’s brother Bhanu spoke about her popularity and convinced her to return to the big screen. He said, “When she would visit Durga Puja pandals in Kolkata, I could see that she still has a huge fan following. So, I told her that she must start acting again. She was offered the central role in a serial called Chhoti Sardani, which Mandakini refused but she suggested Anita Raaj’s name for the role instead."