The image of Mandakini with Ibrahim had been widely discussed for decades and sparked considerable speculation. The actress has now revealed that she had travelled to Dubai for a show and was photographed with Ibrahim at a cricket match during the trip.
Mandakini said the controversy surrounding the photograph had a significant impact on her career.
Speaking to ANI, the yesteryear actress said, “We do not have any control over what people are going to say and write.”
“Any artist needs to meet a lot of people; we cannot discriminate,” she said.
Addressing the controversy surrounding her meeting with Dawood Ibrahim, Mandakini said, “I was in Dubai for a show and then went for the match. I was not invited by Dawood.”
Asked about the impact the photograph had on her career, the actress said, “Indeed, the controversy did a lot of damage.”
Mandakini and her career
Mandakini is best remembered for portraying Ganga in Raj Kapoor’s Ram Teri Ganga Maili in 1985. Her performance in the film helped establish her as one of the prominent actresses of the era.
Born Yasmeen Joseph to a British father and a Himachali mother in Meerut, she was given the screen name “Mandakini” by Raj Kapoor.
Following the success of Ram Teri Ganga Maili, in which she starred opposite Rajiv Kapoor, Mandakini went on to appear in several films, including Dance Dance with Mithun Chakraborty, Kahan Hai Kanoon with Aditya Pancholi and Pyaar Karke Dekho with Govinda.After the success of the movie opposite Rajiv Kapoor, Mandakini acted in multiple hits films such as Dance Dance with Mithun Chakraborty, Kahan Hai Kanoon with Aditya Pancholi and Pyaar Karke Dekho with Govinda.