Neena Kulkarni (née Joshi; born 15 August 1955) is an Indian actress who is known for her work on Marathi and Hindi films, television and stage productions. She has received several awards including a National Film Award, Maharashtra State Film Awards and three Filmfare Awards Marathi.
Early life Kulkarni was born in 1955 in Pune. Her parents were both doctors. She attended Canossa Convent High School and Elphinstone College, Mumbai. She was married to Dilip Kulkarni until his death in 2002.
Career Neena Kulkarni is a celebrated Indian actress, director, and producer known for her remarkable contributions to Marathi and Hindi films, television, theatre, and international cinema. Born in 1955 to a family of doctors, she was educated at Canossa Convent High School and Elphinstone College with a degree in French in Mumbai. She started her career with Modelling and became the first Clearasil Girl in print media in the early 70s. She was married to Dilip Kulkarni until his passing in 2002. They have two children, both are also working in the entertainment industry and often work alongside her, continuing the family’s creative legacy. Neena began her artistic journey in the 1970s, performing in Marathi professional theatre and Hindi experimental theatre. Before that she debuted in a Marathi commercial play- Guntata Hruday He ! Later under the mentorship of the legendary Pt. Satyadev Dubey, she starred in acclaimed plays such as Adhe Adhure, Mayavi Sarovar, and Educating Rita. This was the time when she met husband Dilip Kulkarni, who was also actively involved in direction and acting in experimental and commercial theatre. Neena declined early film offers from renowned directors like V. Shantaram and Shakti Samanta to focus on stage work since she found her passion growing. Her breakthrough in Marathi theatre came in 1978 when Dr. Vijaya Mehta cast her as Shabbo in Hamidabai Chi Kothi, which began her long-standing association with Marathi theatre. Notable stage performances include Mahasagar, Savitri, Akasmat, Dhyani Mani, Vatvat Savitri, Dehabhaan, Prem Patra and now Asen me Nasen Me. As a director, she has helmed acclaimed play recreation called- Mahasagar. some hindi theatre plays like ‘doctor aap bhi’ and its marathi adaptation- doctor tumhi suddha was critically acclaimed. Naagmandal directed by her husband Dilip and matichya gaadaache prakaran were some semi experimental plays she acted in. Her notable work in English theatre is still remembered by theatre enthusiasts– some of those plays were - Educating Rita, Mahatma Versus Gandhi, and Wedding Album. She is currently in My name is Gauhar jaan- the play, as Malka jaan and older Gauhar jaan. Her work in Marathi cinema has been widely recognized. She received the Maharashtra State Film Award for Best Actress for Savat Mazi Ladki, and her performance in the lead role as Aai in Mahesh Manjrekar’s film Aai gained critical acclaim as well as box office hit! In 2005-2006, Neena produced her first film Shevri, which won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Marathi. She also played the lead character of Vidya Barve a middle class Marathi middle aged wife/mother/daughter struggling to survive in Mumbai amidst her divorce. She is forced to spend the night on the streets of Mumbai as she recounts her spree of turbulent relationships and decides to start her life afresh. This stands as Neena’s special role and project till date- as mentioned by her in some of her interviews. Neena has won a couple of Filmfare Awards Marathi for her roles in Bioscope and Mogara Phulala as Best Supporting Actress, and a filmfare Critics Award for Best Actress for Photo Prem. In Hindi cinema, she has acted in numerous successful films including Daag the fire, Nayak, Guru, Paheli, Hungama, Rann, Badal, bhootnath, Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani, Hunterrr, Mere Yaar Ki Shaadi Hai, Hasee Toh Phasee, and Ghayal: Once Again. She is also known for her popular role in the television series Yeh Hai Mohabbatein which ran on star plus for 6-7 years at a stretch. she has also done a lot of TV shows in marathi where she played vital roles – one of them being Swarajya Janani Jijamata on sony marathi where she played the lead – Jijamata and the current show Yed Lagla Premache where she is fondly known as Jiji. Neena’s work on TV has been extensive since doordarshan days. She acted in some well known shows like – Chaal naavachi Vachaal Vasti, Saalsood, Nayak, Ank Ajoobe, ados pados. In the digital space, she earned acclaim for her role in the web series Breathe and in short films such as Cuddly, Maa, and Devi. And her latest work in ‘The Royals’ on Netflix. Her international work includes The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, the French-language series Rani on France Deux, and the French feature film Noces, which premiered in Paris in 2017. In addition to her acting career, Neena Kulkarni is an accomplished writer. She penned a widely-read column titled Antarang in the Marathi daily Loksatta for over three years, which was later compiled into a published book. The book is doing its successful rounds of the 4th edition. Some of her marathi films with her offbeat yet adorable character roles are in the marathi films Kulkarni Chaukatla Deshpande by Gajendra Ahire, Pondicherry, directed by Sachin Kundalkar, and Medium Spicy, directed by Mohit Takalkar. Her lead role in the marathi film Photoprem was an official selection at the Indian Panorama (IFFI) and the Marathi competition at PIFF. Her most loved performances are in marathi films like Uttarayan and Sangeet Manapmaan, and Hindi films like - The signature, shastri Viruddh Shastri and OTT series like Unpaused and The good Karma Hospital season 3. Over her illustrious career, Neena Kulkarni has been honoured with a National Film Award, Maharashtra State Film Awards, and several Filmfare Awards Marathi, along with recognition from Natya Darpan and Jeevan Gaurav and Best actress in 2025 for Akhil bharatiya Natya Parishad. Her enduring contributions and the involvement in the entertainment business makes her a vital part of India's artistic legacy in both traditional and contemporary storytelling.
Filmography Films Year Title Role Language Notes1987Mirch MasalaPepper factory workerHindi1992 Hach Sunbaicha BhauSuman (Tarde)Marathi1993 Savat Mazi LadkiSeema Madhukar HirveMaharashtra State Film Award for Best Actress Nominated Filmfare Award for Best Actress – MarathiGhayaalLalita Ramchandra HireTaichya BangdyaVidya1994PurushMadhuraHindi1995AaiSumitra A. PradhanMarathiNominated - Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Marathi1996 DaayraaWidowHindi 1997 HasariMother Marathi 1999 Daag: The FireSushila Singh Hindi2000 Dhaai Akshar Prem KeAmrit Y. Grewal BadalSoni's mother Phir Bhi Dil Hai HindustaniLaxmi2001 Nayak: The Real HeroDaksha Rao Gaekwad Hum Ho Gaye AapkeMrs. Gupta Rahul Mrs. Sharma2002 Kehtaa Hai Dil Baar BaarKamla Patel Kuch Tum Kaho Kuch Hum KaheinSunanda Singh Kyaa Dil Ne KahaaEsha's mother Mere Yaar Ki Shaadi HaiGayatri Sharma Ab Ke BarasPrerna Kya Yehi Pyaar HaiRachna Patil2003 HungamaJeetu's mom DumSaraswati Shinde 2004 Inspector KiranAccomplice Ishq Hai Tumse Saeda Begum Pachhadlela Ravi's motherMarathi Saatchya Aat Gharat Madhura's motherUttarayanDurgiZee Chitra Gaurav Puraskar for Best ActressMaharashtra State Film Award for Best ActressAb... Bas!Shivani 'Aai'Hindi2005 Sarivar SariAayiMarathi 7 Phere: More Than a WeddingRati PantHindi PaheliMrs. Bhanwarlal Kyaa Kool Hai HumShanti - Kiran's momYehi Hai ZindagiSharda RaoAamhi Asu LadkeShalini BuddhisagarMarathi2006 Shevri Vidya Barve Also producer of the filmNational Film Award for Best Feature Film in Marathi Shaadi Karke Phas Gaya YaarAyaan's grandmaHindi Humko Deewana Kar GayeAmrit H. Malhotra Ho Sakta Hai!Shakuntala Nital Neeraja's motherMarathi 2007 Raqeeb Sophie's motherHindi GuruSujata's motherBalirajache Rajya Yeu DeBali's motherMarathi2008 BhoothnathNirmala Nath HindiCameo appearance2009 Gho Mala Asla HavaSavitri's mother Marathi Gandha Janaki 2010 RannLata V. MalikHindiMission 11 JulyPolice Commissioner's wifeVed Laavi JeevaJaggu's motherMarathiMee Sindhutai SapkalBai2011Sahi Dhandhe Galat BandeTaiSharyatGayatri Devi The Best Exotic Marigold HotelGaurikaEnglish2012UprootLaxmiHindiShort film2013AnumatiMadhuMarathiChasing the RainbowSitaEnglishShort filmDilli GangSujataHindi2014 Hasee Toh Phasee Mrs. BharadwajSwami Public Ltd.NeenaMarathi2015Gour Hari Dastaan: The Freedom FileMrs. Apte (Freedom Cell)HindiHunterrrMandar's motherCuddlyMotherShort filmBioscopeNirmaladevi IndoriMarathiIn segment "Dili E Nadaan" Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress – Marathi2016 Ghayal Once Again Mrs. Joe D'souzaHindiA WeddingYelda KazimFrench / Urdu2017VaasKamalMarathiShort film2019Mogra PhulaalaaSunil's MotherFilmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress – MarathiKulkarni Chaukatla DeshpandeMotherBhai: Vyakti Ki ValliVijaya Mehta2020DeviSavitriHindiShort filmAB Aani CDVarsha DeshpandeMarathiRaabtaNeena HindiShort filmDafanDr. VazeShort film2021 Photo Prem MaeeMarathiFilmfare Critics Award for Best Actress – Marathi Godavari Bhagirathi Deshmukh2022 Pondicherry Aai Medium Spicy Meena TipnisNominated -Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress – MarathiDagina SasubaiShort filmThree of UsMrs KurankarHindi2023Shastry Viruddh ShastryUrmila Shastry2024The Signature MadhuZEE5 film2025Sangeet ManapmaanChimnabaiMarathi
Theatre Guntata Hruday He (1972) Dehbhaan Hamidabai chi Kothi Dhyani Manee Naagmandal Sambhog Se Sanyas Tak Chhapa Kata as Uttara Bhagwat Mahatama Vs Gandhi Educating Rita Mahasagar as Champu Vat Vat Savitri Aai ch Ghar Unhacha Prem Patra Doctor Tumhi Suddha Asen Me Nasen Me
Television Jeena Isi Ka Naam Hai (2006) as Guest Kammal (2002–2003) as Rinni Sanyal/Raina Bose Kayamath (2007–2009) as Mrs. Shah / Dadi Mathemagic co-host with Benjamin Gilani on Doordarshan Baa Bahoo Aur Baby (2007) as Asha Ben (Guest appearance) Meri Maa (2011–2012) as Pratibha's mother-in-law Ek Packet Umeed (2008) as Ambika Dharamraj Devyani (2013) as Manjula Vikhe-Patil Yeh Hai Mohabbatein (2013–2019) as Madhavi "Madhu" Iyer Adhuri Ek Kahani (2004–2008) as Kalyani Kedarnath Patwardhan Ados Pados (1985) as Champakali Swarajyajanani Jijamata (2019–2021) as Rajmata Jijabai Raja Shivchhatrapati (2008–2009) as Badi Begum Saarrthi (2004–2005) as Kumud Goenka Breathe (2018) as Juliet Mascarenhas The Good Karma Hospital (season 3) (2019) The Kapil Sharma Show to promote Devi Swamini (2019–2020) as Tarabai Unpaused: Naya Safar (2022) Yed Lagla Premacha Ankakee (2001) Lajja (2010–2011) as Vasumati Rani (2011) as Queen Mother Unch Majha Zoka (2012–2013) as Aaji Ank Ajoobe Nayak Chaal Navachi Vachal Vasti
Awards and nominations
+ Year Award Category Work Character Result Ref.1994Maharashtra State Film AwardsMaharashtra State Film Award for Best ActressSavat Mazi LadkiSeema Madhukar HirveFilmfare Awards MarathiFilmfare Award for Best Actress – Marathi1996Filmfare Awards MarathiFilmfare Award for Best Actress – Marathi Aai2005Maharashtra State Film AwardsMaharashtra State Film Award for Best ActressUttarayanKusumawati / Durgi200654th National Film AwardsNational Film Award for Best Feature Film in MarathiShevriVidya Barve2015Filmfare Awards MarathiFilmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress – MarathiTaptapadiDurgabai2016Bioscope2020Mogra PhulaalaaSunil's mother 2021Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actress – Marathi Photo Prem2022Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress – MarathiMedium SpicyNissim' mother2025Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Natya ParishadLifetime Achievement Award
References
External links