Kochi: Monalisa Bhosle, the 18-year-old who became an overnight internet sensation as the “Kumbh Mela girl,” has leveled grave allegations of sexual misconduct against film director Sanoj Mishra. Speaking at a press conference in Kochi alongside her husband Farman Khan, a tearful Monalisa alleged that the director harassed her multiple times on film sets while she was still a minor.
Monalisa first shot to fame in 2025 after a viral video showed her selling garlands and rudraksha beads at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj. Following her viral success, Sanoj Mishra had cast her in his film, The Diary of Manipur.
- Abuse as a Minor: Monalisa revealed that the harassment occurred during film shoots in Nepal and Dehradun before she turned 18. She stated that since she was a minor at the time, these actions constitute a POCSO offense.
- “Love Jihad” Conspiracy: The actress claimed that Mishra is attempting to silence her by framing her marriage to actor Farman Khan as “Love Jihad.” She alleged that the director is conspiring to have Khan imprisoned to maintain control over her.
- Forced Marriage Pressure: Monalisa explained that she sought refuge in Kerala to escape her family’s pressure to marry a relative against her will. She recently married Farman Khan at a temple in Thiruvananthapuram under police protection.
- Safety Fears: The couple expressed deep concern for their lives, stating they are afraid to leave Kerala due to threats from the director and parts of her family. They alleged that Mishra is using his influence to incite communal narratives against their interfaith marriage.
While Monalisa has not yet filed a formal police complaint regarding the sexual harassment, she indicated that she is consulting with legal experts to move forward with a POCSO case against the director.
