Viral 'amber-eyed' girl Monalisa faces harassment at Maha Kumbh mela
Monalisa Bhonsle, a 16-year-old garland seller who rose to fame after a viral video captured her striking amber eyes at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, has alleged harassment and disruption to her livelihood.
The sudden spotlight has drawn hordes of onlookers and social media influencers, leaving her struggling to cope.
Harassment allegations
Monalisa recently revealed in a video that a group of men entered her tent under false pretences, claiming her father had sent them to take pictures with her. “I refused and told them to go to my father if he had sent them. I wouldn’t click pictures with them,” Monalisa recounted.
प्रयागराज महाकुंभ में माला बेचने आई बंजारा घुमंतू समुदाय की बेटी मोनालिसा और उनके परिवार पर हुआ हमला बेहद निंदनीय है। यह घटना प्रशासन की विफलता और खानाबदोश-घुमंतू समुदायों की सुरक्षा में सरकार की उदासीनता को दर्शाती है। दोषियों पर कड़ी कार्रवाई हो! @dgpup pic.twitter.com/QNPjBy995M
— Hansraj Meena (@HansrajMeena) January 22, 2025
When her brother tried to delete the photos from their phones, the men allegedly attacked him. “Nine men beat him up,” she said, adding, “I am scared. There’s no electricity here, and anyone could harm me.” Her father later confronted the men, denying he had sent them.
Fame’s impact on livelihood
Monalisa’s grandfather, according to ABP Live, stated that her sudden popularity has hampered her ability to sell garlands. “She is very upset in Prayagraj. People keep following her, clicking pictures and talking, leaving her unable to work,” he said.
Reports of Monalisa leaving the Maha Kumbh Mela have surfaced, but her grandfather refuted them, saying she remains in Prayagraj.
Conflicting reports on her whereabouts
According to Economic Times, Monalisa returned to her home in Indore after her father intervened, concerned about her safety and well-being. A viral video showed her covering her face with a scarf as crowds pushed and shoved around her stall. The disruption led her family to decide that the mela was no longer a safe environment for her.
However, ABP Live presents a contrasting account, quoting Monalisa’s grandfather, who claimed she is still at the mela.
The cost of sudden fame
Monalisa’s fame stems from a video shot by an influencer during the Maha Kumbh Mela, which garnered millions of views. Dubbed the “Amber-Eyed Beauty,” she has since been inundated with requests for photos and interviews, overshadowing her business.
Despite her rising popularity, Monalisa’s experience highlights the darker side of viral fame, as her safety and livelihood have come under threat. While the confusion about her whereabouts persists, her story serves as a stark reminder of the need to balance admiration with respect for personal boundaries.
