Filmmaker Sanoj Mishra has alleged that the marriage of Monalisa Bonsle—who rose to fame during the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh—is a case of what he termed ‘love jihad’.
Monalisa, a nomadic tribal woman from Maheshwar in Madhya Pradesh, became widely known in 2025 after videos of her selling items such as rudraksha went viral on social media. Following her sudden popularity, Mishra cast her in his film The Diary of Manipur, and she later also got an opportunity in a Malayalam film titled Nagamma.
According to the report, Monalisa travelled to Kerala for the Malayalam film’s shoot and married her Muslim partner, Barman Khan, on March 11. The marriage reportedly took place despite opposition from her parents, and she is said to be living with her husband in Kerala where the shoot is underway.
Reacting to the development, Mishra claimed the marriage was rushed and alleged it was part of a conspiracy to deceive Hindu women and convert them. He also alleged that certain organisations support such efforts.
Mishra said he plans to meet Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav along with Monalisa’s parents and family members, and will urge an inquiry into what he described as a planned deception.
