Mandakini, a prominent Bollywood actress famous for her role in 'Ram Teri Ganga Maili', was embroiled in controversy during the 1990s due to alleged connections with underworld don Dawood Ibrahim. Rumors of their relationship intensified after they were spotted together at a cricket match in Sharjah, leading to speculation about her career being influenced by Ibrahim's notoriety. Despite the allegations, Mandakini consistently denied any romantic involvement, stating that she only met Ibrahim in social settings. She expressed her distress over the media's focus on her past, saying, “I don’t want people to connect me with Dawood any more.” Following the controversy, which unfolded during a turbulent time marked by Ibrahim's alleged involvement in the 1993 Mumbai blasts, Mandakini stepped away from mainstream cinema. Eventually, she embraced spirituality and married Dr. Kagyur T. Rinpoche Thakur, a former monk and follower of the Dalai Lama. Mandakini has since focused on her family and spirituality, distancing herself from her controversial past.