She has a Master's degree in Linguistics from Pune University.

Mrinal was 16 when she made her debut in the role of Peshawe Madhavrao's wife Ramabai Peshawe in the Marathi TV serial Swami. This gave her a popularity. Ravindra Mankani played the role of Madhavrao.

She was not very serious about acting instead she wanted to complete doctorate in philosophy. But offers kept coming her way and finally she decided to make career in acting in 1994. She continued with acting as her career on receiving, after the above successful role, many more roles, including those in Shrikant (a TV serial based on one of Saratchandra Chatterjee's novels), The Great Maratha, Draupadi, Hasratein, Meerabai, Teacher, Khel, Sparsh and Sonpari. Her role in the TV serial Avantika on Alpha Marathi channel has received much acclaim. Mrinal is famous for playing a number of historic characters – Draupadi , Ahilya Bai Holkar, Ramabai, Jijabai etc.

She has also done a few advertisements as well.

Mrinal Kulkarni has acted in Marathi as well as Bollywood films.

Mrinal Kulkarni Debuted as Director Marathi film Prem Mhanje Prem Mhanje Prem Asta, The story of the film has been written by Mrunal Kulkarni. after that she directed Marathi historical drama Rama Madhav.

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• Kamla ki maut (1989)
• Jai Dakshineshwar Kali Ma (1996)
• Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar (2000)
• Aashiq (2001)
• Veer Savarkar (2001)
• Uuf Kya Jaadoo Mohabbat Hai... (2004)
• Kuchh Meetha Ho Jaye (2005)
• Quest (2006)
• Chodo Kal Ki Baatein (2012)
• Raja Shivchattrapati (2012)
• Made In China (2009)
• Ram Gopal Varma Ke Aag (2007)
• Raasta Roko (2006)
• A Rainy Day (2014)
• Sambhaji 1689 (2017)
• Lekar Hum Deewana Dil (2014)

• Shrikant
• Rishtey - Avantika
• Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat (TV series)
• Son Pari (Hindi)
• Sparsh (TV series)
• Chattaan - Poornima (Hindi)
• Teacher
• Kaali – Ek Agnipariksha
• Guntata Hriday Hai
• Hasratein (Hindi)
• Khamoshiyaan
• Meera (TV show)
• Raja Shivchatrapati – Jijabai
• Noorjahan (TV Series)
• Draupadi Sahara One

• Rama Madhav 2014
• Prem Mhanje Prem Mhanje Prem Asta 2013 ^[18]

Kulkarni has won following awards-

1. 2001 Screen Award in the Best Actress category for her role in the Marathi film Jodidar (2000).
2. 2003 Star Parivar Award in the Best Jadui Kirdar category for her role in the serial Sonpari.^[19]
3. National Award for movie Thang/The Quest directed by Amol Palekar.