Mandakini breaks silence on viral Dawood photo

Mumbai: Renowned actress Mandakini has addressed the viral photograph showcasing her with notorious underworld figure Dawood Ibrahim, revealing she was not invited by him and had actually traveled to Dubai for a show before attending a cricket match where the image was captured. In an exclusive interview, Mandakini admitted that she had no influence over the resulting speculation and reports, emphasizing that as an artist, she frequently interacted with numerous individuals without discriminating among them.

She stated, "Whatever people want to write or say, we don t have control over it. An artist has to meet many people, and we are equal to everyone. There were so many people with us; whom do we choose, and whom do we not? I was in Dubai for a show and then went for the match. I was not invited by Dawood. I didn t realize it at the time."

The photograph subsequently became the center of controversy and extensive speculation, which Mandakini acknowledged had a profound impact on her film career. She later realized the importance of having a dedicated team to manage such situations. Mandakini gained widespread recognition with her debut film "Ram Teri Ganga Maili," in which she portrayed the lead role and became a prominent figure in Hindi cinema during the 1980s.

After the film's success, she went on to appear in over 75 films throughout her career, sharing the screen with several acclaimed actors, including Anil Kapoor, Mithun Chakraborty, and Govinda.