Mandakini, who became an overnight sensation with the release of “Ram Teri Ganga Maili.” Rarely a debut that has caused so much uproar as Mandakini has, but destiny had something else in mind and in just a few years, she was gone from the films and left behind some epic memories.
Early Life
Mandakini was born on July 30, 1963, in Meerut as “Yasmeen Joseph,” to an Anglo-Indian family. Her father, Joseph, was British, and her mother, Munni Joseph, was of Kashmiri descent. She has two brothers, Bhanu and Rustom Joseph, and a half-sister, Parveen Khan, from her mother’s first marriage. Her younger sister, Chhoti, has Down syndrome. Her paternal grandfather, a millionaire, pioneered underwater telephone cable installation in England.
She attended school in Meerut but details about her education are not in public domain. Details about Mandakini’s formal education are scarce. She attended school in Meerut but focused on modeling and acting by her late teens. No records confirm higher education. Her early career as a model for print shoots suggests she prioritized professional pursuits over academics.
Entry into the Entertainment Industry
Mandakini began her career as a model, appearing in various print advertisements. At 16, she auditioned for Hindi films Betaab (1981) and Lava (1983) but faced rejection. In 1985, producer Ranjit Virk signed her for Mazloom, renaming her “Madhuri,” but the project stalled.
She was finally discovered by Raj Kapoor when and offered a role in his upcoming “Ram Teri Ganga Maili.” It was Raj Kapoor who gave her the name Mandakini, as a tribute to her heroine, who was named Ganga in the film, on the holy river Ganga, which was a metaphor in the film.
Mandakini played Ganga, a mountain village girl who fall in love and married a visiting tourist. The boy soon left with a promise to return. Ganga went to search for him in city, but fall in hands of bad people and end up in a brothel. Her performance as Ganga, won her instant fame and stardom.
Her bold scenes, including a waterfall sequence and breastfeeding moment, stirred controversy but made her a household name. She earned a Filmfare Best Actress nomination for her expressive performance.
Mandakini The Bold and Beautiful
Mandakini then starred in films like Mera Saathi (1985), Jeeva (1986), Aag Aur Shola (1986), Jaal (1986), Mazloom (1986), Loha (1987), Hawalaat (1987), Param Dharam (1987), Jeete Hain Shaan Se (1988), Maalamaal (1988), and many more.
One of her notable works includes Dance Dance (1987), where she starred alongside Mithun Chakraborty. The film was well received and is remembered for its vibrant music and dance sequences. In the same year, she appeared in ‘Pyaar Karke Dekho’, a romantic comedy with Govinda, which added to her repertoire of diverse roles.
Mandakini also ventured into action with “Commando (1988),” where she played the lead female role opposite Mithun Chakraborty once again. Her performance in “Tezaab (1988)” was a special appearance, but it left a lasting impression, thanks to the film’s massive success.
In 1989, she took on a challenging role in ‘Naag Nagin‘, portraying an ‘Ichchadhari Nagin’ (a shape-shifting snake), a concept deeply rooted in Indian folklore. The same year, she was seen in “Kahan Hai Kanoon,” “Aakhri Baazi,” “Jung Baaz,” and “Na-Insaafi.”
Her career in the early ’90s included films like “Hisaab Khoon Ka (1989),” “Taqdeer Ka Tamasha (1990),” “Pyar Ke Naam Qurbaan (1990),” “Sheshnaag (1990),” “Shandaar’ (1990),” “Deshwasi (1990),” and “Naach Govinda Naach (1992).” Her last known appearance on the big screen was in ‘Zordaar’ (1996), after which she took a hiatus from acting.
Personal Life
Despite the controversies that surrounded her career, including a rumoured association with the underworld figures, which she never acknowledged publicly, Mandakini’s on-screen presence was undeniable.
Beyond her acting career, Mandakini embraced spirituality and became a guide in this realm. Her personal life took a turn when she married Dr. Kagyur T. Rinpoche Thakur, a former monk and a child model famously known as the Murphy Radio kid. The couple has two children, Rabbil Joseph and Rabze Inaaya, and together they lead a life away from the limelight. The couple embraced Buddhism, following the Dalai Lama. Mandakini runs a Tibetan yoga center in Mumbai, while her husband operates a Tibetan Herbal Centre. In 2022 she featured in the music video Maa O Maa with her son
Mandakini’s journey is a testament to the diverse paths life can take. From the glitz and glamour of Hindi films to the serene embrace of spirituality, her story is one of transformation and growth.
Mandakini on IMDB
