# Mrinal Kulkarni

Mrinal Deo-Kulkarni (born 21 June 1971) is an Indian actress and director known for her work in several films and television productions. She is best known for her role as Mirabai in Doordarshan's Mirabai and as a fairy on Star Plus's Son Pari.
She has also acted in Marathi language and Hindi TV serials and films.

## Early life, family and education

She was born 21 June 1971 into a Marathi Konkanastha Brahmin family in Pune. Her parents are Dr. Vijay Deo and Dr. Veena Deo. She has a Master's degree in Linguistics from Pune University. She has a sister named Madhura. She lost her father after illness on 11 April 2019. Her mother Dr. Veena Deo died on 29 October 2024.
She married her childhood friend Ruchir Kulkarni in 1990 and has a son Virajas who is also a part of Marathi film industry.

## Direction

Mrinal Kulkarni debuted as a Director for the Marathi film, Prem Mhanje... Prem Mhanje.... Prem Asta. The story of the film was written by Mrunal Kulkarni. After that, she directed Marathi historical drama Rama Madhav.

## Filmography
### Films

| Year | Title | Role | Language | Notes |
| 1989 | Kamla Ki Maut | Charu S. Patel | Hindi | Debut film |
| 1994 | Maza Saubhagya | Sumati | Marathi | Marathi film debut & lead role |
| 1995 | Jamla Ho Jamla | Sangita Dhurandhar | Marathi | Lead role |
| 1996 | Jai Dakshineshwar Kali Ma | Jyoti | Hindi | Lead role |
| 2000 | Jodidar | Suniti Deshmukh | Marathi | Zee Chitra Gaurav Puraskar for Best Actress |
| 2000 | Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar | Savita Ambedkar | English, Hindi | Bilingual film |
| 2000 | Lekroo | Anu | Marathi | |
| 2001 | Aashiq | Sapna Devi | Hindi | Supporting role |
| 2003 | Vishwas | Sangeeta | Marathi | Lead role |
| 2004 | Uuf Kya Jaadoo Mohabbat Hai | Pari's sister | Hindi | Supporting role |
| 2005 | Kuchh Meetha Ho Jaye | Chanchal Chugh | Hindi | Special appearance |
| 2005 | Rajkaran | Anna's wife | Marathi | |
| 2006 | Quest | Doctor | English, Marathi | Bilingual film |
| 2006 | Bayo | Raavi | Marathi | |
| 2006 | Raasta Roko | Mrunal | Hindi | |
| 2007 | Deha | Young Sandhya Joshi | Marathi | Special appearance |
| 2008 | Tuzyat Mazyat | Asmita | Marathi | Lead role |
| 2012 | Kashala Udyachi Baat | Sakshi | Marathi | |
| 2012 | Shiv Chatrapati | Rajmata Jijau | Marathi | |
| 2012 | Aarohi Gosht Tighanchi | Sneha Apte | Marathi | |
| 2012 | Jai Jai Maharashtra Majha | Unnamed | Marathi | Guest appearance |
| 2013 | Prem Mhanje Prem Mhanje Prem Asta | Anushree | Marathi | |
| 2014 | A Rainy Day | Mugdha Pradhan | Marathi | Lead role |
| 2014 | Yellow | Mugdha | Marathi | Nominated Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Marathi |
| 2014 | Rama Madhav | Gopikabai | Marathi | Parallel lead |
| 2015 | Rajwade and Sons | Laxmi Rajwade-Joshi | Marathi | Supporting role |
| 2016 | & Jara Hatke | Meera | Marathi | Nominated Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress – Marathi |
| 2017 | Sambhaji 1689 | Rajmata Jijau | Marathi | |
| 2018 | Farzand | Rajmata Jijau | Marathi | |
| 2018 | Ye Re Ye Re Paisa | Janhavi Mujumdar | Marathi | |
| 2019 | Ye Re Ye Re Paisa 2 | Janhavi Mujumdar | Marathi | |
| 2019 | Fatteshikast | Rajmata Jijau | Marathi | Nominated Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress – Marathi |
| 2022 | Pawankhind | Rajmata Jijau | Marathi | |
| 2022 | The Kashmir Files | Laxmi Dutt | Hindi | |
| 2022 | Dear Dia | Adi's mother | Hindi | |
| 2022 | Sher Shivraj | Rajmata Jijau | Marathi | Nominated Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress – Marathi |
| 2022 | Goshta Eka Paithanichi | Smitatai | Marathi | |
| 2023 | Saath Sobat | Madhura | Marathi | |
| 2023 | Sari | Dr. Laxmi (Lucky) | Marathi | |
| 2023 | Subhedar | Rajmata Jijau | Marathi | |
| 2024 | 1234 एक दोन तीन चार | | Marathi | |
| 2024 | Muktaai | | Marathi | |
| 2024 | Gulaabi | Madhuri Joshi | Marathi | |
| 2024 | Dhai Aakhar | Praveen Arora | Hindi | |
| 2024 | Mrs. | Richa's Mother | Hindi | |

### Television

| Year | Title | Role | Language | Notes |
| 1987 | Shrikant | Abhaya | Hindi | Debut series |
| 1988 | Swami | Ramabai Peshwa | Hindi | Lead role |
| 1994 | The Great Maratha | Ahilyabai Holkar | Hindi | Supporting role |
| 1996 | Hasratein | Asmita Trivedi | Hindi | Supporting role |
| 1997 | Mirabai | Mirabai | Hindi | Lead role |
| 1997 | Saturday Suspense | Mrunal | Hindi | Episode number. 98 |
| 1997-1998 | Chattan | Purnima Vishal Raj | Hindi | |
| 1998 | Teacher | Uma | Hindi | Parallel lead |
| 1998 | Rishtey | Mrunal | Hindi | Episodic role |
| 1998-2000 | Sparsh | Bhoomika | Hindi | Lead role |
| 2000 | Zindagi... Teri Meri Kahani | Rani | Hindi | Episodic role |
| 2000-2001 | Noorjahan | Habba Khatoon | Hindi | |
| 2001-2002 | Draupadi | Draupadi | Hindi | Lead role |
| 2000-2004 | Son Pari | Son Pari | Hindi | Lead role |
| 2000-2005 | Avantika | Avantika | Marathi | Lead role |
| 2006 | Astitva... Ek Prem Kahani | Dr. Sakshi | Hindi | Cameo appearance |
| 2008-2009 | Raja Shivchhatrapati | Rajmata Jijau | Marathi | Parallel lead |
| 2009-2010 | Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat | Kalyani Sisodia (Chhoti Rani) | Hindi | |
| 2010-2011 | Kaali - Ek Agnipariksha | Sushma Rai/Aditi Choudhary | Hindi | |
| 2011-2012 | Guntata Hriday He | Nayana Banarase | Marathi | Lead role |
| 2012-2013 | Mujhse Kuchh Kehti...Yeh Khamoshiyaan | Pratiksha Bhosale | Hindi | Supporting role |
| 2020 | Mi Honar Superstar | Judge | Marathi | Reality show |

### Web series

| Year | Title | Role | Platform |
| 2021 | Jeet Ki Zid | Deep's Mother | ZEE5 |
| 2024 | Indian Police Force | Rukhsana Malik | Amazon prime video |
| 2024 | Paithani | | ZEE5 |

### Films written and directed

* Rama Madhav - 2014
* Prem Mhanje Prem Mhanje Prem Asta - 2013
* Ti and Ti - 2019

### Television commercial

* Popular TV commercial Vicco Turmeric ayurvedic skin cream

## Awards and nominations

Kulkarni has won following awards-
* 1994 Maharashtra State Film Awards - Maharashtra State Film Award for Best Actress For Film Maajha saubhagya.
* 2001 Screen Award in the Best Actress category for her role in the Marathi film Jodidar (2000).
* Nominated Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Marathi for film Yellow
* She has received three nominations at the Filmfare Awards Marathi for Best Supporting Actress for her films, & Jara Hatke (2016), Fatteshikast (2019) and Sher Shivraj(2022).