Thiruvananthapuram- Monalisa Bhosle, the young woman from Indore, Madhya Pradesh, who rose to nationwide fame as the "Mahakumbh Girl" or "Rudraksha Girl" during the 2025 Prayagraj Maha Kumbh Mela, addressed the media alongside her husband Farman Khan in a press conference here. The couple, who tied the knot on March 11, at the Arumanoor Sri Nainaar Deva Temple, near Poovar, in a traditional Hindu ceremony, firmly rejected claims of "love jihad" and emphasized that their interfaith marriage was based on mutual love, personal choice, and respect for each other's beliefs.
Monalisa, dressed in a red attire with sindoor, reiterated that the wedding was conducted entirely according to Hindu rituals at her insistence. "We got married in Hindu tradition," she said. "I have not converted to Islam, and neither has Farman converted to any other religion. Love Jihad claims are completely baseless. I believe all religions are equal, and all religions are the same for us."
Addressing speculation around their relationship, Monalisa revealed details of her family opposition and personal circumstances. "My parents wanted me to get married to my aunty's son, but I didn't like to marry him because he would be my cousin, and hence I didn't want to marry him," she explained.
"Farman didn't want to marry me initially, but I forced him to do so because I truly love him." She added that her father accompanied her to Kerala but remained angry and did not attend the wedding. "We met him yesterday, but he is still upset. He came along with me, but he didn't attend the wedding."
Farman Khan, hailing from Bagpat in Uttar Pradesh, clarified his background and profession. He described himself as an actor currently working on upcoming projects in Malayalam, Hindi, and Tamil films. "Pyaar mein aisa nahi hota ki convert karna zaroori ho," Farman said. "Main Monalisa se pyaar karta hun aur uski khushi chahta hun. (In love, conversion is not necessary. I love Monalisa and want her happiness.)"
On the ongoing age controversy that had fueled online debates, Farman presented Monalisa's Aadhaar card during the press interaction. Monalisa confirmed her full name as Monalisa Bhosle and stated that her birth certificate, issued from Madhya Pradesh, records her date of birth as January 1, 2008, making her 18 years old and a legal adult. Police authorities in Thiruvananthapuram had earlier verified her age and provided protection after the couple approached Thampanoor police station on March 11, citing family pressure and threats of forced marriage.
The couple first met around six months ago through Facebook or while working together on a film project in Kerala, where Monalisa had traveled for shooting (including her upcoming role in "The Diary of Manipur"). Amid strong opposition from Monalisa's father, who wanted her to return to Indore for an arranged marriage, they sought police assistance. Officers counseled both sides, confirmed Monalisa's majority status, and ensured her safety, allowing the wedding to proceed peacefully.
The ceremony drew attention from local leaders, including Kerala ministers and CPI(M) figures, who attended or sent wishes, highlighting Kerala's ethos of communal harmony and individual freedom. Social media remains divided, with some praising the couple's courage in choosing love over familial pressure, while others continue to raise concerns under the "love jihad" narrative.
Monalisa, who shot to overnight fame selling rudraksha garlands and beads at the Kumbh Mela, her natural beauty and amber eyes captivating millions online, expressed happiness with her new life. The couple plans to continue their acting careers while residing in Kerala for now.
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