Mandana Karimi’s work as an Iranian actress, model, and television personality is well known across the globe. Her modeling portfolio was the first one to be successful in India and that is how she got attention. After appearing on several Bollywood movies and participating in big budget reality shows, she is a major celebrity name. She is famous for her attractive face and confident way of talking. Her name became known to families nationwide when she was a participant on Bigg Boss Season 9 where ultimately she placed herself at the rank of second runner-up. Mandana has been in and around the movies, web episodes, TV shows, and has also been involved in fashion campaigns to name a few. Besides entertainment, Mandana is also known to have a very interesting personal life. She has always expressed opinions for different social matters through her media presence and personal posts.
Who Is Mandana Karimi?
Mandana Karimi is an Iranian-born actress and model who became widely known in India’s entertainment industry. Before she moved to India and began working in commercials, music videos, Bollywood, and participating in reality shows, she started her career as an international fashion model.
Despite her presence in movies like Roy, Bhaag Johnny, and Kyaa Kool Hain Hum 3, it was only her stint in Bigg Boss 9 that really made her a household name. Her frankness, boldness, and fearless nature were the qualities that made her an exciting contestant to watch in the show.
Mandana Karimi Quick Overview
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Manizhe Karimi |
| Popular Name | Mandana Karimi |
| Profession | Actress, Model, Television Personality |
| Date of Birth | 19 May 1988 |
| Age | 38 Years (as of 2026) |
| Birthplace | Tehran, Iran |
| Nationality | Iranian |
| Religion | Islam |
| Height | 178 cm (5 ft 10 in) |
| Marital Status | Divorced |
| Famous For | Bigg Boss 9, Bollywood Movies |
| Languages Known | Persian, English, Hindi |
Mandana Karimi Real Name
Mandana Karimi was born as Manizhe Karimi in Tehran, Iran. After beginning her modeling career, she adopted the professional name Mandana Karimi, which later became widely recognized in the Indian fashion and film industries. Today, fans across the world know her by this screen name, while her birth name continues to appear in official records.
Mandana Karimi Age and Date of Birth
Mandana Karimi was born on 19 May 1988 in Tehran, Iran. As of 2026, she is 38 years old.
Despite spending many years in India, she has remained closely connected to her Iranian roots and frequently shares memories of her homeland through interviews and social media posts.
Early Life and Family Background
Mandana Karimi spent her childhood in Tehran in a multicultural family. She has often spoken about growing up in a conservative environment and facing several social restrictions during her early years.
Her father is of Indian origin, while her mother is Iranian. Because of this diverse family background, Mandana was exposed to different cultures from an early age. She later decided to pursue a career in modeling, which opened opportunities to work in several countries before eventually settling in India.
| Family Member | Details |
|---|---|
| Father | Indian-origin businessman |
| Mother | Iranian |
| Siblings | Not publicly disclosed |
| Marital Status | Divorced |
| Ex-Husband | Gaurav Gupta (Businessman) |
| Children | None (Publicly known) |
Mandana Karimi Education and Qualifications
Mandana completed her early education in Tehran. While she has not publicly disclosed extensive details about her academic qualifications, she developed a strong interest in fashion, modeling, and acting from a young age.
Instead of following a conventional career path, she chose to enter the modeling industry, where she received opportunities to work with international brands before transitioning into Indian entertainment.
Mandana Karimi Religion, Nationality, and Ethnicity
Mandana Karimi follows Islam and holds Iranian nationality. She belongs to a mixed ethnic background due to her Iranian mother and Indian-origin father.
Throughout her career, she has openly discussed her experiences growing up in Iran and has voiced support for women’s rights and freedom of expression. In 2026, she also spoke publicly about rebuilding her life after relocating to Dubai while continuing to express concern for her homeland during ongoing regional tensions.
Mandana Karimi Physical Appearance
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Height | 5 feet 10 inches (178 cm) |
| Weight | 58 kg |
| Eye Colour | Brown |
| Hair Colour | Brown |
| Body Type | Slim |
| Profession | Actress & Fashion Model |
Mandana Karimi Career Journey
Mandana Karimi’s career is a story of determination, adaptability, and resilience. She began as an international fashion model and gradually established herself in India’s entertainment industry. From glamorous modeling assignments to reality television and Bollywood films, she has explored multiple avenues while maintaining a strong public presence.
Her willingness to take on new challenges and express her opinions openly has kept her relevant even beyond acting. Today, she continues to engage with audiences through social media, interviews, and lifestyle-related projects while exploring new opportunities outside India.
Mandana Karimi Career Journey
After establishing herself as a successful international model, Mandana Karimi entered the Indian entertainment industry and gradually built a career in films, television, and digital platforms. Her confidence, screen presence, and willingness to take on different roles helped her gain recognition in a highly competitive industry. Although she has faced several personal and professional challenges, Mandana has continued to reinvent herself through acting, reality television, and lifestyle projects.
Early Modeling Career
Mandana Karimi launched her career as a fashion model and worked with famous brands and designers from Asia and the Middle East. Before her move to India, she was involved in many advertisement campaigns and magazine photoshoots. Her presence on TV commercials for prominent brands in Mumbai gave her the chance to establish a place in the Indian fashion and entertainment scene.
Entry into Bollywood
Mandana made her Bollywood debut with a small role in Roy and soon appeared in Bhaag Johnny alongside Kunal Khemu. She later acted in Main Aur Charles and gained wider recognition with Kyaa Kool Hain Hum 3, where she played one of the lead female roles. In 2022, she also appeared in the critically appreciated Netflix film Thar, sharing screen space with Anil Kapoor and Harsh Varrdhan Kapoor.
Rise to Fame
The initial exposure of her films was the way she got known to the public but Mandana’s true success came with Bigg Boss Season 9. She became one of the strongest participants because of her talkative nature, determination, and moving story. She did not make it to the top but was in the top two of the runners and it brought her tremendous attention and the exposure helped her land more TV and acting offers.
Television Career
Following her success on Bigg Boss, Mandana appeared in several television projects and reality shows. She made guest appearances on entertainment programs and played Nancy Malhotra in the popular TV serial Ishqbaaaz. She later participated in Lock Upp, where her bold opinions once again attracted public attention.
OTT Career
Mandana expanded her career into digital entertainment with the web series The Casino, in which she portrayed Rehana Chaudhari. The series introduced her to OTT audiences and showcased her ability to perform in more mature and dramatic roles beyond mainstream Bollywood films.
Brand Endorsements and Other Projects
In addition to acting, Mandana has worked with various fashion beauty jewelry, and lifestyle brands, besides that, she has also made appearances in music videos, promotional campaigns, and digital collaborations. In the last few years, she’s still keeping active online, partnering with different brands through her posts while sharing her tips for wellness, traveling, and stylish living.
Mandana Karimi Movies List
- Roy (2015)
- Bhaag Johnny (2015)
- Main Aur Charles (2015)
- Kyaa Kool Hain Hum 3 (2016)
- Xuanzang (2016)
- Thar (2022)
Mandana Karimi TV Shows
- Bigg Boss 9 (Contestant – Second Runner-up)
- Bigg Boss 10 (Guest Appearance)
- Ishqbaaaz
- Lock Upp
Mandana Karimi Web Series
- The Casino (2020) – Played the role of Rehana Chaudhari.
Mandana Karimi in Bigg Boss
In Bigg Boss 9, Mandana Karimi made her entry to the competition as one of the show’s biggest powerhouses. Through the episodes, viewers got to know her for being a no-nonsense person, emotionally honest, and committed to completing each job assigned to her in an excellent way. Even though she was involved in various disagreements in the house, the audience was still impressed and the runner-up was awarded to her in the final episode. Her performance in the show became one of her major turning points and the publicity of Mandana Karimi in all of India was greatly affected from this.
Mandana Karimi Husband and Marriage
Mandana Karimi was first introduced to businessman Gaurav Gupta through several years of dating and eventually they got hitched in January 2017. A simple and low-key wedding was held and only their nearest relatives and a few friends witnessed it. But just as suddenly love struck them, their love died a fast death after a marriage troubled by problems. The two of them parted only a few months after the marriage and this incident was soon followed by multiple legal battles, which turned their story into the most controversial among celebrities.
Mandana Karimi Divorce and Relationship History
Shortly after her split from Gaurav Gupta, Mandana went to court to address matters of domestic issues and obtain protection. The legal battle finally concluded a few years later which led to the annulment of their marriage. After the split, Mandana has expressed her emotions through interviews while also concentrating on developing both personally and professionally. In her latest interviews, she has revealed her plans to start fresh as she has recently moved out of India.
Mandana Karimi Boyfriend
As of 2026, Mandana Karimi has not publicly confirmed being in a relationship. While her name has occasionally been linked with rumors, she has not announced any boyfriend or partner. She has instead emphasized personal growth, career opportunities, and social activism in recent interviews and social media posts.
Mandana Karimi Controversies
Mandana Karimi was one of the main characters in various controversies during her career. In her divorce case with Gaurav Gupta, media spotlight was on her; besides, she was in the news for being a champion of women’s rights, politics, and social issues through her open discussions. In 2022, she was at the center of a heated debate for what she said on a reality show. Last year, she was back in headlines when she stated that, after spending 16 years almost in India on personal and security reasons, she would leave the country to continue her work to support the people of Iran.
Mandana Karimi Net Worth
Mandana Karimi’s estimated net worth is believed to be around USD 1–1.5 million (estimated ₹10–12 crore), though the exact figure has not been officially confirmed. Her wealth comes from multiple professional ventures, including acting, modeling, endorsements, and digital collaborations.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Estimated Net Worth | ₹10 to 12 crore |
| Net Worth (USD) | $1.2 to $1.5 million |
| Profession | Actress, Model, Reality TV Personality |
| Primary Income Source | Acting & Modeling |
| Other Income Sources | Brand Endorsements, OTT Projects, Social Media, Event Appearances |
Income Sources
Mandana earns income from several avenues, including:
- Bollywood films
- Television reality shows
- OTT web series
- Fashion modeling
- Brand endorsements
- Social media collaborations
- Event appearances
Brand Collaborations
Over the years, Mandana has worked with numerous fashion, beauty, jewelry, and lifestyle brands. She continues to collaborate with brands through digital campaigns and influencer partnerships, leveraging her strong presence on social media.
Assets and Lifestyle
Mandana is known for her stylish lifestyle and passion for travel, fashion, and fitness. After relocating to Dubai in 2026, she has shared glimpses of her new life while continuing to work on personal and professional projects. She often posts about wellness, travel, and everyday life through her social media platforms.
Awards and Achievements
Although Mandana Karimi has not received major film awards, she has achieved several notable milestones during her career:
- Established herself as a successful international fashion model.
- Acted in multiple Bollywood films alongside well-known actors.
- Finished as the second runner-up in Bigg Boss Season 9.
- Successfully transitioned into OTT platforms with The Casino.
- Built a strong fan following through her acting, modeling, and social media presence.
Lesser Known Facts About Mandana Karimi
- Her birth name is Manizhe Karimi.
- She was born and raised in Tehran, Iran.
- Her father is of Indian origin, while her mother is Iranian.
- Before becoming an actress, she worked as an international fashion model.
- She became a household name after participating in Bigg Boss 9.
- Mandana is passionate about fitness, yoga, and traveling.
- She has been vocal about women’s rights and humanitarian issues.
- In 2026, she relocated to Dubai after spending nearly 16 years in India.
Mandana Karimi Social Media Accounts
Mandana Karimi is active on social media, where she shares updates about her acting career, interior design projects, travel, fitness, and lifestyle. Following her move to Dubai, she has also posted about her new life and humanitarian causes.
| Platform | Official Account | Followers |
|---|---|---|
| @mandanakarimi | 895K | |
| X (Twitter) | @manizhe | 66.1K |
| Mandana Karimi | 554K+ |
Latest News About Mandana Karimi
- Moved Out of India: Mandana Karimi officially left India after living in the country for nearly 16 years, calling it an emotional farewell to her “second home.”
- Started a New Life: She has relocated to Dubai and described the move as the beginning of a new chapter, where she plans to focus on both her personal life and professional career.
- Spoke About Iran: Mandana continues to speak openly about the situation in Iran and has expressed hope of returning to her homeland if conditions improve in the future.
- Explained Her Decision: In recent interviews, she revealed that concerns about safety, lack of support, and her activism influenced her decision to leave India.
- Active on Social Media: Despite relocating, Mandana remains active on Instagram, where she shares updates about her new life, travel, fitness, and humanitarian advocacy.
- Open to New Projects: Mandana has stated that she is looking forward to exploring acting, modeling, and international entertainment opportunities while continuing to stay connected with her fans.
Conclusion
Mandana Karimi is the embodiment of talent in modeling, acting and as an on-screen personality after much dedication and hard work. Since first modeling internationally and later becoming one of the faces of Bollywood besides getting a wide national publicity from being in Bigg Boss 9, she has kept evolving both her personality and her professional development. Besides several personal hurdles she has faced, Mandana managed to stay strong and concentrated on career development. As her digital platform exposure is increasing and fresh opportunities in new life in Dubai are there, she remains in touch with her followers and is one of the popular names in show business in general.
FAQs
1. What is Mandana Karimi’s real name?
Her real name is Manizhe Karimi.
2. How old is Mandana Karimi?
She is 38 years old (as of 2026).
3. When was Mandana Karimi born?
She was born on 19 May 1988.
4. Where is Mandana Karimi from?
She was born in Tehran, Iran.
5. Is Mandana Karimi married?
No, she is currently divorced.
6. Who was Mandana Karimi’s husband?
She was married to Gaurav Gupta, a Mumbai-based businessman.
7. Why is Mandana Karimi famous?
She is known for her work in Bollywood, modeling, and Bigg Boss Season 9.
8. Which are Mandana Karimi’s popular movies?
Roy, Bhaag Johnny, Main Aur Charles, Kyaa Kool Hain Hum 3, and Thar.