She left IIT for Bollywood dreams then joined Google: Ajay Devgn and Mahesh Babu were once her co-stars

Mayoori Kango’s entry into the film industry in the mid-1990s marked the beginning of a brief yet memorable stint in Bollywood. Born in Aurangabad to a theatre artist mother and a politician father, Mayoori was drawn to performance early on. She was discovered by director Saeed Akhtar Mirza during a trip to Mumbai with her mother and was offered a role in the critically acclaimed film Naseem (1995). Initially hesitant due to her board exams, she eventually accepted the role. Her performance caught the attention of filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, who cast her in Papa Kehte Hai (1996).

Though the film did not achieve commercial success, Mayoori’s portrayal received considerable appreciation. Over the next few years, she appeared in multiple Hindi films including Betaabi (1997), Hogi Pyaar Ki Jeet (1999) with Ajay Devgn and Arshad Warsi, Baadal (2000) alongside Bobby Deol and Rani Mukerji, and Shikari (2000) with Govinda and Tabu. She also ventured into regional cinema with the Telugu film Vamsi (2000), co-starring Mahesh Babu and Namrata Shirodkar.

Despite appearing in approximately 16 films, many of Mayoori’s projects either failed at the box office or remained unreleased. Following this, she transitioned to television, featuring in shows like Dollar Bahu (2001), Thoda Gham Thodi Khushi, and Karishma: The Miracles of Destiny (2003), where she played Karisma Kapoor’s daughter.

Leaving Films Behind
By 2003, Mayoori stepped away from the entertainment world entirely. That same year, she married NRI businessman Aditya Dhillon and moved to New York. Her decision to quit acting came at a time when her career had not translated into consistent success. Interestingly, prior to entering films, she had cleared the entrance exam for IIT Kanpur but had turned it down to pursue acting.

Once in the U.S., she chose to redirect her career. Between 2005 and 2007, she completed her MBA in Marketing and Finance at Baruch College’s Zicklin School of Business in New York City.

Building a Corporate Career
Her corporate journey began in 2007 when she joined the digital agency 360i as an Associate Media Manager. Two years later, she moved to Resolution Media in New York, and subsequently joined Digitas as Associate Director (Media) from 2010 to 2012.

Returning to India in 2012, Mayoori continued her professional growth in digital marketing. She joined Zenith as Chief Digital Officer and served there for five years. In 2016, she became Managing Director at Performics, a performance marketing agency under the Publicis Groupe.

In 2019, she made a significant leap by joining Google India. Initially working as the Head of Industry – Agency Partnership, she handled key responsibilities in media innovation and client relations. As per her LinkedIn profile, she is currently leading Google India's AI, Martech, and Media Solutions @MPT as the Industry Head.

Mayoori Kango’s journey is a testament to professional reinvention. From a young actress admired for her role in Papa Kehte Hai to a senior leader at one of the world’s most influential tech companies, her story reflects resilience, adaptability, and an unwavering focus on growth.

Now settled in India with her family, Mayoori keeps a low profile away from the limelight. Describing herself as a "passionate marketer" on LinkedIn, she emphasizes her love for digital media and continuous learning.