Mahakumbh Fame Monalisa’s Marriage to Farman Khan Triggers Controversy
More than a year after grabbing headlines for her striking looks during the Prayagraj Mahakumbh 2025, Monalisa Bhonsle is once again in the spotlight. This time, the young woman from Madhya Pradesh has found herself at the centre of controversy following her marriage to a Muslim man from Kerala.
Monalisa, who claims she is 18 years old, recently married Farman Khan in a ceremony held at the Nainar Temple. The wedding reportedly took place earlier this month in the presence of several political leaders, including Kerala’s General Education Minister V Sivankutty, CPI(M) state secretary M. V. Govindan, and Rajya Sabha MP A. A. Rahim.
What Is the Controversy?
The controversy surrounding the marriage stems mainly from objections raised by Monalisa’s family in her hometown of Khargone in Madhya Pradesh. Family members claim that she married against their wishes. According to reports, Monalisa sought police protection shortly before the wedding, alleging pressure from her family.
Speculation also spread on social media suggesting that she was underage. However, Monalisa has dismissed such claims, stating that the reports about her being a minor are “fake and incorrect.”
Family’s Allegations
Monalisa, who belongs to the nomadic Pardhi community and hails from Maheshwar, reportedly came in contact with Farman Khan through Facebook about six months ago.
Her father, Jaysingh Bhonsle, alleged that a group of individuals from Kerala had approached the family on March 2, claiming they would help Monalisa pursue a career in films and provide acting training.
According to him, he travelled to Kerala with his daughter believing the offer was genuine. However, once there, she decided to marry Farman Khan.
“I opposed the move and asked her to return to Maheshwar, but she refused,” he said.
Bhonsle added that when he approached local police in Kerala, officials informed him that Monalisa was 18 years old and therefore legally free to marry a person of her choice.
Her uncle, Vijay Singh Bhonsle, also claimed that she had been lured to Kerala with promises of acting opportunities. He said the family was not well-educated and struggled to understand how the situation unfolded, but they ultimately had little choice except to accept her decision.
Couple Rejects ‘Love Jihad’ Claims
Addressing the controversy, Monalisa and her husband held a press conference and denied allegations that their marriage was a case of “love jihad.” They stated that their relationship was based on personal choice and emphasised that, for artists, all religions are equal.
Background and Career Aspirations
Monalisa first gained widespread attention during the Kumbh Mela when videos of her went viral on social media. According to family members, she had earlier signed a film titled The Diary of Manipur by filmmaker Sanoj Mishra, and the money she received was used for travel, accommodation, and training.
Her cousin, Jai Bhonsle, said Monalisa had expressed a desire to open a school in her area someday. Meanwhile, her grandmother said the family would have arranged her marriage if she had informed them earlier.
Mahendra Lodhi, who reportedly helped Monalisa with studies and acting training after her videos went viral, said she had told him that her family wanted her to marry someone else while she had already chosen her partner. This, he claimed, led her to take the decision to marry.
Police officials from Maheshwar said the family had contacted them several times to trace her location before it was confirmed that she was in Kerala.
Monalisa, the eldest of four siblings, has alleged that her parents wanted her to marry her paternal aunt’s son, a proposal she opposed, which further strained relations with her family.
