Mandakini was born as Yasmeen Joseph to a British Father and an Indian Muslim Mother on July 30, 1963, in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh.

She made her debut with Raj Kapoor directed Ram Teri Ganga Maili which was released on July 25, 1985. This movie earned her a nomination in the Best Actress category at the Filmfare Awards. The movie had some controversial bold scenes featuring Mandakini, one in which Mandakini bathed under a waterfall wearing a white colored 'almost transparent' saree through which her breasts were clearly visible and another in which she was shown breastfeeding a child.

Ram Teri Ganga Maili had walked away with 5 filmfare awards including Best Music Director, Best Film and Best Director. This movie gave Mandakini the most popular song of her career 'Sun Sahiba Sun' which was sung by Lata Mangeshkar. The lyrics of Sun Sahiba Sun were penned by Hasrat Jaipuri.

Mandakini also did quite a few other films such as 'Dance Dance' with Mithun Chakraborty, 'Kahan Hai Kanoon' with Aditya Pancholi and 'Pyaar Karke Dekho' with Govinda but never managed to gain popularity in the mainstream cinema.

In 1994, when her photographs taken in the presence of Gangster Dawood Ibrahim began circulating in Media and it was rumored that the two were having an affair. It was also alleged that she had moved to Dubai to be with him, though it is a known fact that Dawood is sheltered by Pakistan to carry out anti-India activities from Karachi. Mandakini vehemently denied all such rumors but had admitted being his acquaintance.

Mandakini is now married to a former Buddhist monk, Dr. Kagyur T. Rinpoche Thakur, who is best known for his role as a child in the Murphy Radio advertisements. Mandakini now runs Tibetan Yoga Classes and is a strong follower of the Dalai Lama. She also runs a center for Tibetan medicine too.

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