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Mandana Karimi, known for her stint in Bigg Boss 9 and Bollywood films like Kya Kool Hai Hum 3 and Thar, has left the world of acting behind to focus on academia and interior design.
Mandana Karimi, famed for Bigg Boss 9 and Bollywood roles in Kya Kool Hai Hum 3 and Thar, has transitioned from acting to academia and interior design.
Iranian actor-model Mandana Karimi, widely recognized for her appearance on Bigg Boss 9 and Bollywood roles in Kya Kool Hai Hum 3 (2016) and Thar (2022), has made a dramatic career shift. Once a familiar face in the world of glamour and entertainment, Karimi has now embraced a path in academia and interior design, leaving behind the industry that initially brought her fame.
Karimi shared with Hindustan Times how her transition unfolded. “I became a model at such a young age and had to support myself, but I always missed the fact that I couldn’t go back to school,” she admitted. Her interest in interior design was sparked when a friend who owned a design firm invited her to explore the field. Discovering her passion, Karimi pursued a year-long course in the discipline and has since immersed herself in the profession. She now works actively in the field and serves as a visiting professor at various institutes.
While grateful for her time in Bollywood, the 36-year-old revealed she never truly loved acting. “Acting was a job that I never loved, nor this industry. I am grateful for the time I spent there, but it wasn’t something I was hungry for or crazy about,” she confessed. Karimi has been turning down modeling and acting offers to focus on her projects, academic commitments, and events. Despite the financial temptation, she feels fulfilled in her new career. “It is of course hard to say no to money, but I still have casting director friends who call me for auditions, and I have to say I can’t devote so much time.”
Reflecting on her lifestyle shift, Karimi admits to enjoying the structure and stability of her new routine. “I now finish my work in the office, then come home, and go to school. My life has changed so much, but I’m loving it,” she said.
Before her transformation into an academic and designer, Mandana Karimi enjoyed a vibrant and varied career in entertainment. Born in Tehran, she began as a model, working across international markets before transitioning to Bollywood. Her breakthrough came with Bigg Boss 9, where her candid personality won her fans and recognition. Following her stint on the reality show, she starred in the adult comedy Kya Kool Hai Hum 3 (2016), showcasing her flair for bold and experimental roles. She later appeared in the critically acclaimed Thar (2022), sharing screen space with actors like Anil Kapoor and Harsh Varrdhan Kapoor.
