Mrinal Kulkarni (née Deo; born 21 June 1968) 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 Meerabai 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

Mrinal was born on 21 June 1968 into a Marathi family in Pune to Dr. Vijay Deo and Dr. Veena Deo. She has a sister named Madhura.

She has a Master's degree in Linguistics from Pune University.

She married her childhood friend Ruchir Kulkarni in 1990 and they have a son, Virajas, who is also a part of Marathi film industry.

She lost her father to illness on 11 April 2019 and her mother died on 29 October 2024.

Direction

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

Filmography

Films

YearTitleRoleLanguageNotes
1989Kamla Ki MautCharu S. PatelHindiDebut film
1994Maza SaubhagyaSumatiMarathiMarathi film debut & lead role
1995Jamla Ho JamlaSangita DhurandharLead role
1996Jai Dakshineshwar Kali MaaJyotiHindiLead role
2000JodidarSuniti DeshmukhMarathiZee Chitra Gaurav Puraskar for Best Actress
Dr. Babasaheb AmbedkarSavita AmbedkarEnglish, HindiBilingual film
LekrooAnuMarathi
2001AashiqSapna DeviHindiSupporting role
2003VishwasSangeetaMarathiLead role
2004Uuf Kya Jaadoo Mohabbat HaiPari's sisterHindiSupporting role
2005Kuchh Meetha Ho JayeChanchal ChughSpecial appearance
RajkaranAnna's wifeMarathi
2006QuestDoctorEnglish, MarathiBilingual film
BayoRaaviMarathi
Raasta RokoMrunalHindi
2007DehaYoung Sandhya JoshiMarathiSpecial appearance
2008Tuzyat MazyatAsmitaLead role
2012Kashala Udyachi BaatSakshi
Shiv ChatrapatiRajmata Jijau
Aarohi Gosht TighanchiSneha Apte
Jai Jai Maharashtra MajhaUnnamedGuest appearance
2013Prem Mhanje Prem Mhanje Prem AstaAnushree
2014A Rainy DayMugdha PradhanLead role
YellowMugdhaNominated Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Marathi
Rama MadhavGopikabaiParallel lead
2015Rajwade and SonsLaxmi Rajwade-JoshiSupporting role
2016& Jara HatkeMeeraNominated Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress – Marathi
2017Sambhaji 1689Rajmata Jijau
2018Farzand
Ye Re Ye Re PaisaJanhavi Mujumdar
2019Ye Re Ye Re Paisa 2
FatteshikastRajmata JijauNominated Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress – Marathi
2022Pawankhind
The Kashmir FilesLaxmi DuttHindi
Dear DiaAdi's mother
Sher ShivrajRajmata JijauMarathiNominated Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress – Marathi
Goshta Eka PaithanichiSmitatai
2023Saath SobatMadhura
SariDr. Laxmi (Lucky)
SubhedarRajmata Jijau
20241234Sayali's Mother
Sant Dnyaneshwaranchi MuktaiRukmini
GulaabiMadhuri Joshi
Dhai AakharPraveen AroraHindi
Mrs.Richa's Mother
2026Ranapati Shivray: Swari AgraJijabaiMarathi

Television

YearTitleRoleLanguageNotes
1987ShrikantAbhayaHindiDebut series
1988SwamiRamabai PeshwaLead role
1994The Great MarathaAhilyabai HolkarSupporting role
1996HasrateinAsmita TrivediSupporting role
1997MirabaiMirabaiLead role
Saturday SuspenseMrunalEpisode number. 98
1997-1998ChattanPurnima Vishal Raj
1998TeacherUmaParallel lead
RishteyMrunalEpisodic role
1998-2000SparshBhoomikaLead role
2000Zindagi... Teri Meri KahaniRaniEpisodic role
2000-2001NoorjahanHabba Khatoon
2001-2002DraupadiDraupadiLead role
2000-2004Son PariSon PariLead role
2002-2005AvantikaAvantikaMarathiLead role
2006Astitva... Ek Prem KahaniDr. SakshiHindiCameo appearance
2008-2009Raja ShivchhatrapatiRajmata JijauMarathiParallel lead
2009-2010Raja Ki Aayegi BaraatKalyani Sisodia (Chhoti Rani)Hindi
2010-2011Kaali - Ek AgniparikshaSushma Rai/Aditi Choudhary
2011-2012Guntata Hriday HeNayana BanaraseMarathiLead role
2012-2013Mujhse Kuchh Kehti...Yeh KhamoshiyaanPratiksha BhosaleHindiSupporting role
2020Mi Honar SuperstarJudgeMarathiReality show

Web series

YearTitleRolePlatformNotes
2021Jeet Ki ZidDeep's MotherZEE5
2024Indian Police ForceRukhsana MalikAmazon prime video
2024PaithaniGodavariZEE5

Films written and directed

Television commercial

  • Popular TV commercial Vicco Turmeric ayurvedic skin cream

Awards and nominations

Kulkarni has won following awards-

  1. 1994 Maharashtra State Film Awards - Maharashtra State Film Award for Best Actress For Film Maajha saubhagya.
  2. 2001 Screen Award in the Best Actress category for her role in the Marathi film Jodidar (2000).

External links