Director Sanoj Mishra Arrested Amid Controversy Over Monalisa's Film Debut

Director Sanoj Mishra, who offered a film to Maha Kumbh Girl Monalisa, has been arrested. He gained fame through the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj. A young woman filed a complaint accusing him of sexual harassment, blackmailing her with videos, and threatening her. Based on her complaint, the police registered a case and recently arrested him.

A woman from Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, made shocking allegations against Sanoj Mishra, claiming that he lured her with false promises of a film role and repeatedly assaulted her. She stated that she met him through Instagram and TikTok in 2020, and they often communicated. On June 17, 2021, while she was at Jhansi railway station, Mishra allegedly called her, threatened suicide when she refused to meet, and later coerced her into coming. The next day, on June 18, 2021, he took her to a resort, drugged her, and assaulted her while recording videos. She claimed he used these videos to blackmail her into further abuse. Based on her complaint, the police arrested Sanoj Mishra in Delhi, as reported by national media.

Monalisa’s Film Debut and Controversy

Monalisa, a girl who went viral at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, originally came from a small village in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, to sell beads. A netizen took her photo and shared it on social media, making her an overnight sensation. However, her sudden fame led to unwanted attention, with people taking photos and even touching her inappropriately, forcing her to leave the mela and return to her village.

Bollywood director Sanoj Mishra, after seeing Monalisa’s photos, announced that he would launch her as a heroine. She signed a role in The Diary of Manipur, a film based on Manipur, and is currently undergoing acting training. Mishra personally managed her career. However, Bollywood producer Jitendra Narayan Singh objected to Mishra’s involvement, accusing him of using Monalisa for publicity and misleading her.

Responding to the allegations, Sanoj Mishra stated that Monalisa is like a daughter to him and is of his daughter’s age. He denied any wrongdoing, asserting that she is willingly acting in the film and that he is training her due to her financial condition. He claimed that he would begin filming once she was fully prepared for the role.