Mrinal Dev-Kulkarni (born 21 June 1968) is a film and soap opera actress and director in India known for her role in popular Hindi language TV serial Son Pari. She has acted in both Marathi and Hindi TV serials and films.
Early life, family and Education
She was born in a Marathi Deshastha Brahmin family in Pune. Her parents are Dr. Vijay Dev and Veena Dev. 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.
She married her childhood friend Ruchir Kulkarni in 1990 and has a son Virajas who is also a part of Marathi film industry.
Acting career
Mrinal was 16 when she made her debut in the role of Peshawe Madhavrao’s wife Ramabai Peshawe in the Marathi TV serial Swami. This gave her a popularity. Ravindra Mankaniplayed the role of Madhavrao.
She was not very serious about acting. Instead she wanted to complete doctorate in philosophy. But offers kept coming her way and finally she decided to make a career in acting in 1994. She continued with acting as her career on receiving, after the above successful role, many more roles, including those in Shrikant (a TV serial based on one of Saratchandra Chatterjee’s novels), The Great Maratha, Draupadi, Hasratein, Meerabai, Teacher, Khel, Sparsh and Sonpari. Her role in the TV serial Avantika on Alpha Marathi channel has received much acclaim. Mrinal is famous for playing a number of historic characters – Draupadi , Ahilya Bai Holkar, Ramabai, Jijabai etc. She had done 22 hindi TV shows till now. She stopped acting in TV serial to focus on her direction ventures.
She has also done a few advertisements as well.
Mrinal Kulkarni has acted in Marathi as well as Bollywood films.
Direction
Mrinal Kulkarni Debuted as Director Marathi film Prem Mhanje Prem Mhanje Prem Asta, The story of the film has been written by Mrunal Kulkarni. After that she directed Marathi historical drama Rama Madhav.
Filmography
Marathi films
- Maza Saubhagya (1994)
- Jamla Ho Jamla (1995)
- Jodidar (2000) Marathi film
- Veer Savarkar (film) (2001)
- Vishwaas (2003)
- Thang (2005)
- Rajkaran (2005)
- Bayo (2006)
- Kasala Udyachi Baat (2012)
- Aarohi Gosht Tighanchi (2012)
- Jai Jai Maharashtra Majha (2012)
- Deha (2013)
- Lekroo (2000)
- Tujhya Majhyat (2008)
- Prem Mhanje Prem Mhanje Prem Asta (2013)
- A Rainy Day (2014)
- Yellow (2014 film) (2014)
- Rama Madhav (2014)
- Rajwade and Sons (2015)
- & Jara Hatke (2016)
- Farzand (2018)
- Ye Re Ye Re Paisa (2018)
- Ye Re Ye Re Paisa 2 (2019)
- Fatteshikast (2019)
- Pavankhind (2021)
Bollywood films
- Kamla Ki Maut (1989)
- Jai Dakshineshwar Kali Ma (1996)
- Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar (2000); played the role of Savita Ambedkar
- Aashiq (2001)
- Veer Savarkar (2001)
- Uuf Kya Jaadoo Mohabbat Hai… (2004)
- Kuchh Meetha Ho Jaye (2005)
- Quest (2006)
- Chodo Kal Ki Baatein (2012)
- Raja Shivchattrapati (2012)
- Made In China (2019)
- Ram Gopal Varma Ke Aag (2007)
- Raasta Roko (2006)
- A Rainy Day (2014)
- Sambhaji 1689 (2017)
- Lekar Hum Deewana Dil (2014)
Television
- Swami
- Shrikant
- Saturday Suspense (Episode 59)
- Saturday Suspense Episode 92
- Rishtey
- Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat
- Son Pari (2000-2004)
- Sparsh
- Chattaan (Hindi)
- Teacher
- Zindagi… Teri Meri Kahani
- Kaali – Ek Agnipariksha
- Guntata Hriday Hai (Marathi)
- Hasratein
- Neelanjana
- Avantika (Marathi)
- Beta (Hindi)
- Happy Journey (Marathi Travel Show)
- Khamoshiyaan
- The Great Maratha
- Meera
- Raja Shivchatrapati
- Noorjahan
- Draupadi
- Astitva…Ek Prem Kahani
Web series
| Year | Title | Role | Platform | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Jeet Ki Zid | Deep’s Mother | ZEE5 |
Films written and directed
- Rama Madhav 2014
- Prem Mhanje Prem Mhanje Prem Asta 2013
- Ti and Ti
Awards
Kulkarni has won following awards-
- 2001 Screen Award in the Best Actress category for her role in the Marathi film Jodidar (2000).
- National Award for movie Thang/The Quest directed by Amol Palekar.