Mandana Karimi

Mandana Karimi, born Manizeh Karimi on 19 May 1988 in Tehran, Iran, is a high‑profile Iranian actress and model who made a successful transition to the Indian entertainment industry. Raised in a Muslim family with Indian ancestry on both paternal and maternal sides, she spent her early years surrounded by Persian cinema, idolising directors like Majid Majidi and the celebrated actress Golshifteh Farahani, while also remembering the iconic Bollywood classic Sholay that she first saw at the age of eight. After completing her education, Karimi began her professional journey as an air hostess before quitting to pursue modelling, quickly securing international contracts that took her across the globe. In 2010 she arrived in Mumbai on a three‑month modelling assignment, fell in love with the city’s vibrant culture, and by 2013 had relocated permanently to chase acting opportunities. Her early screen presence included a cameo in Roy (2015) and a leading role in the Bollywood film Bhaag Johnny, followed by supporting parts in Main Aur Charles and the comedy Kyaa Kool Hain Hum 3 (2016).

Beyond films, Karimi gained widespread recognition as a contestant on the reality series Bigg Boss 9, where her charismatic personality secured her a spot among the final three and a 2nd‑runner‑up finish in 2015. She later ventured into Indian television, portraying Nancy in the popular series Ishqbaaaz (2018) and participating in the reality competition Lock‑Upp. Her personal life attracted media attention when she married Indian businessman Gaurav Gupta in 2017 after converting to Hinduism, but the marriage ended in divorce in 2021 following a brief domestic‑violence case. Fluent in Persian, English, and Hindi, Karimi continues to be an influential figure, publicly addressing issues of sexual harassment in Bollywood and advocating for safer working environments.