Mumbai: Bollywood actress Mamta Kulkarni, who was linked to a drug trafficking case, is back in the country after 24 years. Lauding Prime Minister Narendra Modi, she said the country was safe under his leadership.

In an exclusive conversation with IANS, the Bollywood actress discussed a range of topics, including spirituality and her association with Vicky Goswamy and Mumbai City.

Here’s what Mamta Kulkarni has to say on Vicky Goswami and drug case

“I met Vicky Goswami in 1996, and in 1997, he (Vicky Goswami) was arrested in a drugs case. He remained in jail for 12 years. During this time, he also asked me to meet him, after which I met him once. During this time I focused all my attention towards spirituality. I came to take a holy bath in the Kumbh Mela in 2012, and after that, Vicky also went to Kenya.”

On the question of marriage with Vicky Goswami, the actress said, “All this is wrong. I have not married Vicky. I was celibate for 12 years and did not even eat onion and garlic during this time. Yes, it is true that I was with Vicky Goswami and will always love him. However, everything ended due to my focus on spirituality. I also met Vicky Goswami in Kenya. However, he was taken to America in a drug case. It has been almost eight years, and now everything is over.”

On the drugs case registered against her, Mamta said, “What did I lack? People do this for money. I had 10 film offers at that time, and I had three houses and two cars. However, I left Bollywood. I think a false case was registered against me in the drug case because of Vicky or for publicity.”

He said, “I was declared a fugitive and the officer who filed the case against me was also declared a fugitive for a few months. As you sow, so shall you reap. Where is that commissioner today? The police did not have any evidence.”

The country is safe under PM Modi’s leadership

Mamta Kulkarni said, “It is very difficult for India to get such a Prime Minister. Whatever I say about him is less. He loves the country very much and can do anything for it. The country is safe under him. Narendra Modi is an honest Prime Minister… for him, work is everything.”

“There is a BJP government in the state and the country. Some miracle should happen. There are many potholes on roads. The Law Minister should also pay attention to this,” she added.

Happy about the Ram Temple inauguration

The Bollywood actress also expressed happiness about the inauguration of the Ram temple in Ayodhya. She said, “I am very happy with the consecration of the Ram temple. Earlier, a temple was there, then it was demolished, and now the Ram temple has been built again. I will definitely visit the Ram temple in Ayodhya. Apart from this, I will visit Kashi Vishwanath temple and will also go to Kumbh and take a royal bath.”

Mamta Kulkarni said, “Now I am a sanyasi, and I am neither interested in Bollywood nor anything else. I am no longer in the age to think about Bollywood again. I want to live a spiritual life and participate in spiritual debates so that I can unite everyone.”

Emotional on return and changes in Mumbai

The actress, who was linked to a drug trafficking case and was back in Mumbai after 24 years, expressed her happiness. Mamta said, “When I was reaching Mumbai, I became very emotional. Tears came to my eyes because I remembered the place from where I started my journey and the Bollywood, which gave me so much.”

She said, “I have seen a lot of change in Mumbai. However, there is a lot of traffic here, and the condition of the roads is also very bad. I had heard that the BMC budget is Rs 25000 crore, but I don’t think any such work has been done. There are a lot of potholes on the roads here. Mumbai should be improved because it is the economic capital of the country. Mumbai should also be clean.”