Mrinal Kulkarni

Mrinal Deo-Kulkarni 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 an angel 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 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.

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 Peshwa Madhavrao's wife, Ramabai Peshwa, in the Marathi TV serial Swami. This brought her popularity. Ravindra Mankani played the role of Madhavrao in the series.

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, many more successful 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 –Meerabai, Draupadi, Ahilya Bai Holkar, Ramabai, and Jijabai. She had done 22 Hindi TV shows till now. She stopped acting in TV serial to focus on her direction venture.

She has also done a few advertisements as well.

Direction
Mrinal Kulkarni debuted as a Director for the 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.

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- for her films , & Jara Hatke (2016) , Fatteshikast (2019) and Sher Shivraj(2022).
 * 1) 2001 Screen Award in the Best Actress category for her role in the Marathi film Jodidar (2000).
 * She has received three nominations at the Filmfare Awards Marathi for Best Supporting Actress