A fresh controversy has erupted in Kerala following the sudden marriage of social media personality Monalisa Bhosle, widely known as the “Kumbh Mela viral girl,” after questions surfaced online about her age and the role of political leaders seen around the episode. was she a minor when prominent political leaders attended or endorsed the event? As conflicting claims about her age circulate online, the issue is raising uncomfortable questions for Kerala’s political establishment.
Monalisa Bhosle first came into the spotlight during the Maha Kumbh when videos of her selling garlands went viral on social media, turning the Madhya Pradesh native into an overnight internet sensation. She gained widespread attention during the 2025 Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, in February, where she was reported to be 16 years old at the time.
If that age is accurate, she would be around 17 as of March 2026. Under Indian law, a 17-year-old is still considered a minor and legally treated as a child, making marriage impermissible. The wedding took place at the Arumanoor Sri Nainaar Deva Temple in Poovar, near Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala. Monalisa was recently shooting for her debut Malayalam film ‘Nagamma’ in Poovar.
The controversy deepens over the attendance at the wedding of a girl claimed to be a minor, reportedly in the presence of senior political leaders from Kerala’s ruling establishment. Among those associated with the ceremony are Kerala Education Minister V. Sivankutty, and Rajya Sabha MP A.A. Rahim. CPM State Secretary MV Govindan also attended the marriage. If Monalisa is indeed found to be a minor, the presence and alleged role of these leaders in the wedding could place them in serious legal and political trouble.
Monalisa Got Married to Farman Khan in Vizhinjam
Monalisa, a native of Indore in Madhya Pradesh, met Farman from Maharashtra on Facebook about six months ago. Their relationship reportedly faced opposition from her father, Jai Singh Bhosle, as the two belong to different religious communities, and it is alleged that he tried to force her into marriage with a relative. While Monalisa was in Poovar shooting for her debut Malayalam film ‘Nagamma’, her father allegedly tracked her down and attempted to take her back home. Following the incident, Monalisa and Farman approached the Thampanoor police station in Thiruvananthapuram seeking protection.
Police reportedly summoned her father and held discussions with both sides before allowing the couple to leave. Police informed the family that since Monalisa is 18, she has the legal right to decide whom she wants to live with. She later left the station with Farman, and the couple got married at a temple.
How Can a 16-Year-Old Become 18 Within a Year?
Speculations have mounted as questions arise over the reported age of Monalisa. Earlier accounts during the 2025 Maha Kumbh described her as a 16-year-old. However, recent developments claim she is now 18, raising doubts about how such a change in age could occur within roughly a year.
At the same time, police sources cited in reports stated that she had “attained the age of 18,” indicating that she was legally free to decide whom she wished to live with. If the police version is to be accepted, the documents submitted to establish her age naturally come under scrutiny. So far, the police have not publicly disclosed details of the documents reportedly submitted by Monalisa and Farman to verify the age of the ‘viral Kumbh girl’.
Could Kerala Minister, MP and other politicians face trouble?
Legally, the implications depend entirely on her verified age:
- If Monalisa is 18 or above, the marriage and her request for police protection fall within her legal rights under Indian law
- If she were a minor, questions could arise under laws related to child marriage and protection of minors, potentially putting organisers or endorsers under scrutiny.
At present, there is no official confirmation from authorities suggesting that she is a minor, and available police statements indicate she is an adult.
“This is the real Kerala story, where people from different backgrounds can live happily and peacefully,” Kerala Education Minister V. Sivankutty, who hails from the locality near the temple, said.
However, some CPM leaders believe that the decision by the party’s state secretary, the minister, and the MP to witness Monalisa’s wedding was immature and taken without adequate caution.
For now, the controversy hinges on a single question: whether official documents conclusively establish Monolisa’s age and settle the debate that has rapidly turned into a political talking point. If she is proven to be a minor, the political leaders involved could face legal complications.
Apparently, one point is clear: if Monalisa has indeed attained 18 years of age, then the claims about her being 16 during the 2025 Maha Kumbh Mela appear to be inaccurate.
Conversely, if she was 16 at that time, the document she submitted to prove her age at the police station to get married would warrant thorough scrutiny.
