Film director Sanoj Mishra alleges ‘love jihad’ in viral Kumbh Mela star Monalisa Bhonsle’s marriage
After meeting Bhonsle’s family in Maheshwar on Sunday, Mishra said he plans to raise the matter with Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, stating that he would seek an appointment to present what he described as the full sequence of events. He claimed the family now believes the marriage was part of a “well-planned attempt” and alleged that certain groups were attempting to “defame Sanatan Dharma”.
Bhonsle, who belongs to the nomadic Pardhi community and hails from Maheshwar in Madhya Pradesh, rose to prominence after videos of her selling garlands and rudraksha during the 2025 Prayagraj Kumbh Mela went viral on social media. She is currently in Kerala, where she is working on her Malayalam film debut, Nagamma, being filmed near Thiruvananthapuram.
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According to her family, Bhonsle married Farman Khan on 11 March at the Nainar Temple in Arumanoor, Kerala. Mishra questioned why the ceremony was held in Kerala and suggested the relationship was being portrayed as an example of communal harmony. He further claimed he and his upcoming film projects had been targeted due to his “Sanatani ideology”, alleging that Bhonsle had been misled and that the situation appeared to have been “scripted”.
During the meeting, several family members reportedly expressed concern over social backlash linked to the incident. Bhonsle’s uncle, Vijay Bhonsle, alleged she was born in 2009 and claimed discrepancies in age documentation during passport processing. However, Bhonsle has previously stated that reports of her being underage were false, asserting that she is 18 years old.
Local BJP leader Vikram Patel said she had fallen victim to a conspiracy in Kerala and added that legal experts were being consulted before approaching the chief minister.
Mishra has said he will continue raising the issue until, in his words, “justice” is delivered.