Love is often said to be unpredictable, finding you when you least expect it. It transcends boundaries, ignoring factors like gender, caste, color, or occupation. But what happens when the person you fall in love with is far from ideal? Some Bollywood actresses have experienced this firsthand.

The connection between Bollywood and the underworld is no secret. However, the relationship isn’t just limited to professional dealings; rumors have often swirled around romantic liaisons between underworld figures and Bollywood actresses. Here are a few actresses who allegedly had romantic ties with real-life gangsters.

1.Mamta Kulkarni:

Mamta Kulkarni, a 90s sensation, dominated the silver screen for a brief but impactful period. She rose to fame soon after her 1993 debut in the movie Tirangaa. During that time, the underworld had a significant influence on Bollywood, with mafia figures heavily investing in films.

The media has long been fascinated by the alleged relationships between Bollywood stars and gangsters. Mamta was rumored to be dating Chhota Rajan, a former associate of underworld don Dawood Ibrahim. However, their relationship reportedly ended when Chhota Rajan fled India.

Mamta’s career was at its peak when she suddenly vanished from the limelight. It was later reported that she had married Vicky Goswami, a known drug trafficker. In 2017, Mamta made headlines again when she and Vicky were implicated in a narcotics case, leading to a non-bailable warrant issued by the Thane Police, Mumbai.

In response, Mamta claimed at a pre-recorded press conference that she did not possess the Rs. 2000 crore the police mentioned, insisting that her wealth was solely from her Bollywood earnings. She expressed a newfound detachment from material possessions and said she had made peace with the possibility of losing everything.

2.Mandakini:

Mandakini burst onto the scene in 1985 with her debut in Raj Kapoor’s Ram Teri Ganga Maili. She quickly won over audiences, but it was her alleged relationship with underworld don Dawood Ibrahim that garnered even more attention.

Though Mandakini was flourishing professionally, her career took a downturn after a photo of her with Dawood went viral. She gradually faded from the industry, and after her 1996 film Zordaar, she disappeared from the public eye. In 1990, she married Dr. Kagyur T. Rinpoche Thakur, a former monk, and converted to Buddhism. Today, she runs Tibetan yoga classes and is a follower of the Dalai Lama. Mandakini is now set to return with a music video titled Maa-O-Maa.

3.Monica Bedi:

Monica Bedi, known for her roles alongside stars like Salman Khan, Suniel Shetty, and Govinda, made headlines more for her personal life than her career. Her relationship with underworld figure Abu Salem was highly publicized, and it’s rumored that they even married, with Monica converting to Islam.

According to reports, Monica met Abu Salem in 1998 at a show in Dubai, where he introduced himself as an entrepreneur under a different name. After returning to Mumbai, they stayed in touch, eventually falling in love. Monica later recounted that she only learned his true identity as Abu Salem after their relationship had deepened.

In 2002, Monica and Abu Salem were arrested in Lisbon for using fake passports. They were extradited to India in 2005, where Monica served two years in jail before being released on bail in 2007.

4.Heena Kausar:

Heena Kausar, the daughter of famed director K. Asif, was a 1970s actress who made headlines in 1991 when she married notorious gangster Iqbal Mirchi. After their marriage, Heena quit acting and moved to the UK, where she lived until Iqbal’s death in 2013.

5.Sona Mastan Mirza:

Sona Mastan Mirza, an actress active in the 1970s and 1980s, is perhaps better known for her relationship with gangster Haji Mastan. Their romance was portrayed in the 2010 film Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai, which was based on Haji Mastan’s life.

Reports suggest that Haji Mastan was enamored with legendary actress Madhubala and wanted to marry her. When that proved impossible, he married Sona, who bore a striking resemblance to Madhubala.

6.Jasmine Dhunna:

Jasmine Dhunna made her Bollywood debut in 1979 with Sarkari Mehmaan, but it was her role in Veerana (1988) that made her a household name. Allegedly, Jasmine was romantically involved with Dawood Ibrahim, but after 1988, she vanished from the entertainment world.

7.Anita Ayub:

Pakistani actress Anita Ayub debuted in Bollywood in 1993 with Pyaar Ka Tarana. Though her Bollywood career was brief, her rumored relationship with Dawood Ibrahim attracted attention. It’s reported that in 1995, filmmaker Javed Siddique was shot dead by Dawood’s men after refusing to cast Anita in his film. According to a report by Fashion Central, Anita was also allegedly involved in the 1993 Mumbai bomb blasts.