Former Bollywood actor Mamta Kulkarni has often been in the news for her controversies. This time around, she has sparked another controversy for her remarks about Dawood Ibrahim during an event in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh. The actress`s comments quickly went viral, drawing criticism and prompting her to issue a clarification within just a few hours saying that her statement was misunderstood.
Mamta Kulkarni defends Dawood Ibrahim
According to India TV report, at the press meet, Mamta shared, “Dawood Ibrahim se durr durr se koi lena dena nahi hain. Kisi ek ka naam zaroor tha [probably referring to Vicky Goswami], lekin agar aap dekhoge toh usne koi bomb blast ya anti-national cheez nahi ki thi desh ke andar. Main uske saath toh nahi hoon, lekin he is not some terrorist. Aapko uska difference bhi samajhna chahiye.” (I have absolutely nothing to do with Dawood Ibrahim. There was one person’s name involved [likely Vicky Goswami], but if you look closely, he never carried out any bomb blast or anti-national act in the country. I am not with him, but he is not a terrorist. People should understand the difference.)
The actress further added, “Aap jab Dawood ka naam lete ho… jiske saath mera naam juda hain, usne kabhi bomb blast nahi kiya kabhi Bombay ke andar. Kabhi suna aapne? Jiska naam aap le rahe ho, Dawood ka naam kabhi tha hi nahi. Dawood ko main kabhi jeevan mein nahi mili hoon.” (Whenever you mention Dawood… the person my name was linked with [again referring to Vicky Goswami] has never carried out any bomb blast in Bombay. Have you ever heard of that? The Dawood you’re referring to was never part of my life. I have never met him.)
Mamta Kulkarni issues a clarification on ties
After the video of her statement went viral, attracting a flurry of social media backlash and debates over her intention. Later, on October 30, Mamta issued a clarification video on Instagram and wrote, “MERA DAWOOD SE KOI LENA DENA NAHI, MAHA MANDLESHWAR YAMAII MAMTA NAND GIRI.”
She asked people to “listen carefully” and interpret them wisely. She reiterated that her name had never been associated with Dawood Ibrahim, clarifying that she only mentioned Vicky Goswami. Mamta noted she was connected to Goswami for a brief period; however, she maintained that he was never involved in any anti-national activities.
For the unversed, Mamta Kulkarni and Vicky Goswami were long rumoured to be married. Vicky is an alleged drug lord linked to the D-Company in South Africa. About a decade ago, Goswami denied the reports, saying, “Mamta Kulkarni is only a well-wisher. She stood by me in difficult times, but she is not my wife. I never married her.”