Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe recently took a trip down memory lane and shared an amusing story from his UPSC preparation days. The IAS officer recalled how his friend, now a senior Customs official, once appeared before him visibly distressed. Mundhe initially feared something serious had happened, only to discover that Bollywood star Madhuri Dixit’s marriage was behind his friend’s heartbreak.
Mundhe narrated the incident during an open interview titled Unstoppable Tukaram at Pune’s Balgandharva Rangmandir on Saturday. Writer Arvind Jagtap hosted the conversation, which saw Mundhe speak about everything from his childhood and education to competitive exams and his career in public service.
Tukaram Mundhe
Recalls His UPSC Preparation Days
Going back to around 1998-99, Mundhe spoke about the demanding routine he followed while preparing for the UPSC Civil Services Mains examination. He jokingly described himself as living like a “parasite” or freeloader during that phase.
His close friend Pankaj, who later went on to become a Customs Commissioner, was preparing alongside him. Their schedules revolved almost entirely around studying, with both routinely staying awake until the early hours.
“We both used to study late into the night. He would sleep an hour or two later than me. I used to sleep around two or three in the morning, while he would sleep around three or four and wake up a little late,” Mundhe recalled.
Mundhe would get back to his books after waking up and often studied in a corridor located between his room and the library. It was during one such morning study session that Pankaj suddenly approached him.
Friend Starts ‘Crying’, Mundhe Fears Something Serious
At around 10 or 10.30 am, Mundhe was engrossed in his preparation when his friend came up from behind, put an arm around his neck and began crying.
The unexpected reaction immediately alarmed him.
“Seeing him cry shocked me. I asked him what had happened. But he kept crying. I don’t know whether there were actual tears in his eyes, but he was making those weeping sounds,” Mundhe said.
With no explanation forthcoming, Mundhe began wondering whether his friend had received some devastating personal news.
“I asked him what happened and started getting scared. He suddenly came to me while I was deeply involved in my studies and started telling me something,” he recalled.
Pankaj then asked whether Mundhe had seen the newspaper that morning. Mundhe checked it, but could not spot anything that explained his friend’s emotional state.
The Reason Was Madhuri Dixit
After repeatedly asking what was wrong, Mundhe finally got his answer.
“He said, ‘Hey, Madhuri got married!’ I said, ‘So what?’ Then he replied, ‘Madhuri Dixit…’” Mundhe recalled.
The revelation drew laughter from the audience. What Mundhe had feared was a serious crisis turned out to be his friend mourning the marriage of one of Bollywood’s biggest stars.
Madhuri married cardiovascular surgeon Dr Shriram Nene in 1999. At the time, she was among Hindi cinema’s most celebrated leading stars, with an enormous fan following built through films such as Tezaab, Dil, Beta, Hum Aapke Hain Koun..! and Dil To Pagal Hai.
For Mundhe, the episode remains one of the lighter memories from an otherwise intense period spent preparing for one of India’s toughest competitive examinations.
Tukaram Mundhe Refuses To Name His Favourite Actress
The Madhuri anecdote inevitably prompted another question. Mundhe was asked which actor he himself had admired during those years.
This time, however, the bureaucrat decided discretion was the safer option.
“As for who I liked, I won’t dare to reveal that right now. My married life is going smoothly,” he quipped, drawing another humorous moment from the interaction.
Mundhe said such episodes were part of the friendship he and Pankaj shared while navigating the pressures of UPSC preparation.
Tukaram Mundhe’s Recent Actions As FDA Commissioner
The lighter conversation comes at a time when Mundhe has been attracting attention for his work as Maharashtra FDA Commissioner.
Since taking charge, he has overseen enforcement measures concerning food safety violations across the state. The department has carried out inspections and raids at establishments including hotels, canteens and hospitals.
The FDA has also acted against alleged adulteration involving commonly consumed products such as milk and paneer. Mundhe’s latest role adds to a public-service career during which the IAS officer has held several administrative positions in Maharashtra.
