Her innocence had to shine through : Rhythm Sanadhya on directing viral Kumbh girl Monalisa

Mumbai: Rhythm Sanadhya, who is a popular song director and has worked with singers and artists like Shahid Mallya, Jubin Nautiyal, and Asees Kaur, among others, and recently directed Har Safar Mein from Kapil Sharma’s movie Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon 2, has directed a song with Monalisa Bhosle, the Mahakumbh viral girl. The song, titled Dil Jania, released on January 5, and Rhythm shared that Monalisa’s charm is captivating.
She said, “Monalisa is an innocent soul, possessing a rare and captivating charm. An exquisite Indian beauty with mesmerizing eyes, she carries a depth that speaks without words. I am grateful to those who discovered her at the Kumbh Mela; her gaze alone tells a story. I simply wished to translate that unspoken narrative of hers into a musical love story, which we hope we have accomplished.”
She mentioned that Monalisa is like a blank canvas, and she tried to infuse that with emotions. She added, “At first, I wondered how she would manage, being so new to the camera and to acting. But her curiosity and her never-give-up attitude helped us sail through. The look and feel of the song portray a character quite different from who she truly is in her real and digital life.”
Monalisa got instant social media fame when she was spotted at the Mahakumbh 2025. Asked if her massive online reach influenced the song in any way, Rhythm said, “Not at all. She was just like any other accomplished actress. In fact, the song will be a delightful treat for all her fans. We conceptualized the music video with Monalisa’s raw and authentic image in mind.”
“I had to ensure that the Kumbh girl’s image remained pristine, even as she portrayed a character who is madly in love,” she added.
The biggest challenge, however, was translating all the technical ideas to her in a simple and accessible way. She said, “It took some time to narrate the scenes and explain the actor blocking, but once she grasped it, she was quick with her takes. She is a fast and eager learner. I think, within no time, if given the right guidance, she can make a good space for herself in the entertainment industry.”
She also stressed that at a time when short-form content is dominating, it was challenging to plan scenes in an age of fast-scrolling social media reels. She added, “But whenever I look deep into my life and memories, I realize that I am surrounded by romance and love, which constantly inspire me. I simply followed my heart and the lyrics of the song, creating it with my soul, in the hope that everyone will love it.”
Dil Jania has been crooned by Laisel Rai. Rhythm said, “She is just a teenager and has rendered the song with remarkable maturity and emotional depth. Opposite Monalisa is Smarth Mehta, a new and talented actor. Everything about the song is fresh and youthful, yet it speaks profoundly about the depth of love and emotion.”