Mandakini, born as Yasmeen Joseph on July 30, 1963, is an Indian former actress renowned for her notable role in the 1985 Hindi film “Ram Teri Ganga Maili.” Born in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India, she had a British father and a Kashmiri mother. At the age of 22, she caught the attention of the legendary film director Raj Kapoor, who bestowed upon her the screen name “Mandakini.”

The turning point in Mandakini’s career came with her debut in the 1985 film “Ram Teri Ganga Maili,” where she played the lead role opposite Rajiv Kapoor. The movie achieved tremendous commercial success and catapulted Mandakini to stardom virtually overnight. Encouraged by this breakthrough, she went on to act in films like “Asha” (1986), “Dance Dance” (1987), and “Simhasanam” (1987), showcasing her acting prowess.

In 1990, Mandakini tied the knot with Dr. Kagyur T. Rinpoche Thakur, a former Buddhist monk. The couple is blessed with two children, a son named Rabbil and a daughter named Rabze Innaya. Following her marriage, Mandakini decided to retire from the film industry and relocated to Nepal. Currently, she leads a serene life in Kathmandu, where she actively manages a Tibetan yoga center.

Mandakini, a talented and stunning actress, achieved considerable success in Hindi cinema during her active years. Currently, she enjoys a blissful married life and embraces a peaceful existence in Nepal.