Dharamshala (S Gopal Puri)
Monalisa Bhonsle, popularly known as ‘Maha Kumbh Mona Lisa’, has found herself entangled in the dark side of viral fame.
The 16-year-old garland seller from Indore in Madhya Pradesh, who shot to social media stardom after a travel vlogger’s video of her went viral, has now alleged an incident of harassment and assault at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj.
In a video shared online, Monalisa claimed that a group of men barged into her tent, demanding selfies with her despite her clear refusal.
Fans claimed took her father’s nod for selfies
“They said my father had sent them to take pictures with me. I refused, saying if my father had sent them, they should speak to him directly. But they insisted,” she recounted.
Her father, upon arriving at the scene, denied sending anyone and confronted the intruders. “I asked my father if he had sent them, and he said no. He was furious and asked how they dared to enter our tent without permission,” Monalisa said.
The situation escalated when her protective elder brother tried to delete the unauthorised pictures from the men’s phones. “He was just trying to protect me, but then nine men attacked him. It was horrifying,” she added.
Struggling to manage overwhelming attention
Monalisa’s journey from a humble vendor to an internet sensation has been both a blessing and a curse. Initially earning around Rs 2,000 daily by selling Rudraksh malas, she has struggled to manage the overwhelming attention since the viral video took social media by storm.
With hashtags like #MahakumbhMonaLisa and #PrayagrajBeauty trending, she was soon labelled as “India’s new national crush.”
While admirers praise her simplicity and grace, not everyone is pleased with the media frenzy surrounding her.
Critics argue that the excessive attention is detracting from the spiritual essence of the Maha Kumbh Mela. “This sacred event is becoming a spectacle,” one devotee remarked online.
