‘India has betrayed me’: Mandana Karimi vows to return to Iran after Khamenei’s death

Karimi, who built her career in Hindi films and Indian reality television, told Instant Bollywood that she is ready to leave India and return to Iran.

She said a replacement had already been brought in within 24 hours of Khamenei’s death, which, according to her, signals that the existing regime “has to go.”

Karimi added that she would return to Iran the moment the Islamic regime falls and the country becomes “free,” especially for women.

“What I see for Iran is a free Iran where women can do whatever they want, wear whatever they want, whatever university they want to go and study. I see an Iran which has a great relationship with the Middle East — that we are not a threat to people. But we are a nation that builds the Middle East… The moment they announce that this regime is gone, I will go,” she said.

The actress also revealed that she is emotionally preparing to leave India.

“Anyway, my bags are packed, and I am leaving India as well. That is the plan because I feel I am breaking up with India. It is very difficult for me because I came to India when I was really young. India has given me everything — my modelling career, my acting career, the love that I got, and the friends that I have. But I feel I don't have a voice in India,” she said.

Karimi further claimed that her participation in protests and her outspoken stance on Iran cost her friendships.

“In these past two months, I have never felt so homesick and lonely in Bombay. I have a lot of friends here, but unfortunately, I went to protests, and I was talking about Iran so openly that I lost a lot of ‘so-called’ friends. I feel India has betrayed me in a way. India has given me what it was supposed to give, and now it's time to move on, and hopefully I am going to move to Iran,” she added.

The 37-year-old actress rose to prominence after participating in Bigg Boss 9, hosted by Salman Khan.