Neena Kulkarni


Neena Kulkarni 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 the 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 and dear 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 and the Marathi competition at PIFF. Here 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

YearTitleRoleLanguageNotes
1987Mirch MasalaPepper factory workerHindi
1992Hach Sunbaicha BhauSuman Marathi
1993Savat Mazi LadkiSeema Madhukar HirveMarathiMaharashtra State Film Award for Best Actress
Nominated Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Marathi
1993GhayaalLalita Ramchandra HireMarathi
1993Taichya BangdyaVidyaMarathi
1994PurushMadhuraHindi
1995AaiSumitra A. PradhanMarathiNominated - Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Marathi
1996DaayraaWidowHindi
1997HasariMotherMarathi
1999Daag: The FireSushila SinghHindi
2000Dhaai Akshar Prem KeAmrit Y. GrewalHindi
2000BadalSoni's motherHindi
2000Phir Bhi Dil Hai HindustaniLaxmiHindi
2001Nayak: The Real HeroDaksha Rao GaekwadHindi
2001Hum Ho Gaye AapkeMrs. GuptaHindi
2001RahulMrs. SharmaHindi
2002Kehtaa Hai Dil Baar BaarKamla PatelHindi
2002Kuch Tum Kaho Kuch Hum KaheinSunanda SinghHindi
2002Kyaa Dil Ne KahaaEsha's motherHindi
2002Mere Yaar Ki Shaadi HaiGayatri SharmaHindi
2002Ab Ke BarasPrernaHindi
2002Kya Yehi Pyaar HaiRachna PatilHindi
2003HungamaJeetu's momHindi
2003DumSaraswati ShindeHindi
2004Inspector KiranAccompliceHindi
2004Ishq Hai TumseHindi
2004PachhadlelaRavi's motherMarathi
2004Saatchya Aat GharatMarathi
2004UttarayanDurgiZee Chitra Gaurav Puraskar for Best Actress
Maharashtra State Film Award for Best Actress
2004Ab... Bas!Shivani 'Aai'Hindi
2005Sarivar SariAayiMarathi
20057 Phere: More Than a WeddingRati PantHindi
2005PaheliMrs. BhanwarlalHindi
2005Kyaa Kool Hai HumShanti - Kiran's momHindi
2005Yehi Hai ZindagiSharda RaoHindi
2005Aamhi Asu LadkeShalini BuddhisagarMarathi
2006ShevriMarathiAlso producer of the film
National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Marathi
2006Shaadi Karke Phas Gaya YaarAyaan's grandmaHindi
2006Humko Deewana Kar GayeAmrit H. MalhotraHindi
2006Ho Sakta Hai!ShakuntalaHindi
2006NitalMarathi
2007RaqeebHindi
2007GuruSujata's MotherHindi
2007Balirajache Rajya Yeu DeMarathi
2008BhoothnathNirmalaHindi
2009Gho Mala Asla HavaSavitri's motherMarathi
2009GandhaJanakiMarathi
2010RannLata V. MalikHindi
2010Mission 11 JulyPolice Commissioner's wifeHindi
2010Ved Laavi JeevaMarathi
2010Mee Sindhutai SapkalBaiMarathi
2011Sahi Dhandhe Galat BandeTaiMarathi
2011SharyatGayatri DeviMarathi
2011The Best Exotic Marigold HotelGaurikaEnglish
2012UprootLaxmiHindiShort film
2013AnumatiMadhuMarathi
2013Chasing the RainbowSitaEnglishShort film
2013Dilli GangSujataHindi
2014Hasee Toh PhaseeHindi
2014Swami Public Ltd.Marathi
2015Gour Hari Dastaan: The Freedom FileMrs. Apte Hindi
2015HunterrrMandar's motherHindi
2015CuddlyMotherHindiShort film
2015BioscopeMarathiIn segment "Dili E Nadaan"
Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress – Marathi
2016Ghayal Once AgainMrs. Joe D'souzaHindi
2016A WeddingYelda KazimFrench / Urdu
2017VaasKamalMarathiShort film
2019Mogra PhulaalaaSunil's MotherMarathiFilmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress – Marathi
2019Kulkarni Chaukatla DeshpandeMotherMarathi
2019Bhai: Vyakti Ki ValliVijaya MehtaMarathi
2020DeviSavitriHindiShort film
2020AB Aani CDVarsha DeshpandeMarathi
2020RaabtaNeenaHindiShort film
2020DafanDr. VazeHindiShort film
2021Photo PremMaeeMarathiFilmfare Critics Award for Best Actress – Marathi
2021GodavariBhagirathi DeshmukhMarathi
2022PondicherryAaiMarathi
2022Medium SpicyMeena TipnisMarathiNominated -Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress – Marathi
2022DaginaSasubaiMarathiShort film
2022Three of UsMrs KurankarHindi
2023Shastry Viruddh ShastryUrmila ShastryHindi
2024The SignatureMadhuHindiZEE5 film
2025Sangeet ManapmaanChimnabaiMarathi

Theatre

Guntata Hruday He DehbhaanHamidabai chi Kothi Dhyani ManeeNaagmandalSambhog Se Sanyas TakChhapa Kata as Uttara BhagwatMahatama Vs GandhiEducating RitaMahasagar as ChampuVat Vat SavitriAai ch Ghar UnhachaPrem Patra
  • ''Doctor Tumhi Suddha''

Television

Jeena Isi Ka Naam Hai as GuestKammal as Rinni Sanyal/Raina BoseKayamath as Mrs. Shah / DadiMathemagic co-host with Benjamin Gilani on DoordarshanBaa Bahoo Aur Baby as Asha Ben Meri Maa as Pratibha's mother-in-lawEk Packet Umeed as Ambika Dharamraj

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryWorkCharacterResultRef.
1994Maharashtra State Film AwardsMaharashtra State Film Award for Best ActressSavat Mazi LadkiSeema Madhukar HirveWon
Filmfare Awards MarathiFilmfare Award for Best Actress – MarathiNomitated---
1996Filmfare Awards MarathiFilmfare Award for Best Actress – MarathiAaiNomitated
2005Maharashtra State Film AwardsMaharashtra State Film Award for Best ActressUttarayanKusumawati / DurgiWon
200654th National Film AwardsNational Film Award for Best Feature Film in MarathiShevriVidya BarveWon
2015Filmfare Awards MarathiFilmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress – MarathiTaptapadiDurgabaiNomitated
2016BioscopeWon--
2020Mogra PhulaalaaSunil's motherWon--
2021Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actress – MarathiPhoto PremWon-
2022Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress – MarathiMedium SpicyNissim' motherNomitated-
2025Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Natya ParishadLifetime Achievement AwardWon