Comedian and rapper Munawar Faruqui, known for his sharp wit and resilience, has opened up about one of the darkest chapters of his life—his mother’s tragic death and his complicated relationship with his father. In a candid conversation with Prakhar Gupta, the Bigg Boss 17 winner revisited his childhood, revealing painful memories that shaped his journey and how forgiveness eventually became his path to healing.
Strained Bond with His Father
Table of Contents
Munawar recalled that his early years were filled with anger and bitterness toward his father. His mother’s death left him feeling abandoned and resentful, emotions that only intensified when his father suffered a paralytic stroke.
“Initially, I was very angry at my father, but when I saw… I let my anger go,” Munawar explained. He shared that just two years after his mother’s passing, his father was struck by paralysis, which left 80% of his body incapacitated. For the next eleven years, he remained in that condition.
“I thought of him as a villain,” Munawar admitted. “But he was still my father. You start telling yourself that he did something wrong, but he got something for it too—he was suffering as well.”
As time passed, Munawar found himself caught between resentment and empathy. He realized that, despite everything, his father had no one else to rely on. This shifted his perspective. “Iss insaan se mai kya nafrat karu? (How do I hate this person?) He doesn’t have anyone besides you. That situation made me forgiving, and then you keep letting go of everything, and nothing affects you anymore.”
His Mother’s Silent Struggles
While Munawar’s strained relationship with his father deeply impacted him, it was his mother’s suffering that left the most lasting scar. He revealed that she endured 22 years of hardship in her marriage, never receiving the appreciation she deserved from her family.
“She was very patient, but that sabr (patience) has a limit,” Munawar said, recalling the day he lost her. At just 13 years old, he was woken up to the news that his mother was in the hospital. Upon reaching, he discovered that she had consumed poison.
“My family refused to tell anyone that she had taken poison, for reasons I never understood,” he shared. “There was a nurse who was a family friend from my mother’s side, and I told her. She was shifted to the ER immediately, but passed away.”
The sudden loss left young Munawar in shock. What made it harder was how his family dealt with the tragedy. “They didn’t let me process my mother’s passing. The very next morning, they called me and handed me a bunch of tasks, saying things like ‘don’t cry’. They told me I had to be strong and take care of everyone.”
Forced to Grow Up Too Soon
Munawar confessed that the weight of responsibility fell on his shoulders overnight. Instead of mourning his mother, he was made to act as the strong figure holding the family together.
“It wasn’t their fault, but that’s what happened,” he reflected. “I don’t remember feeling sad. I remember pretending that everything was completely normal, even during the last rites. I was crying inside, but none of that came out.”
The trauma left him with unresolved anger. “I was mad at everyone, and I remembered everyone who was ever bad to my mother. But at one point, I forgave them all.”
Choosing Forgiveness Over Bitterness
Munawar’s ability to forgive, even after such deep emotional wounds, became a turning point in his life. Watching his father’s long suffering made him realize that hatred would only consume him. Instead, he chose to let go.
“Forgiveness doesn’t mean forgetting,” he said. “It means you stop carrying that weight. That situation made me forgiving, and now nothing affects me anymore.”
Life Beyond the Struggles
Today, Munawar Faruqui is not only a celebrated stand-up comedian and rapper but also a symbol of resilience. He won Lock Upp and later Bigg Boss 17, earning immense popularity. His personal life has also moved forward—he married makeup artist Mehzabeen Coatwaala in 2024. Munawar has a son, Mikael, from his previous marriage to Jasmine, while Mehzabeen has a daughter, Samaira, from her first marriage.
Despite the painful memories of his childhood, Munawar’s story is one of strength, survival, and forgiveness. From a boy who lost his mother too soon and carried the burden of responsibility, he has emerged as a man who channels his past into art and laughter, while choosing compassion over resentment.
By
