Mumbai: Posters welcoming back ‘Dongri ka chokra (the boy from Dongri),’ discounts at local restaurants in celebration and a sea of crowd breaking into cheers. On Monday, as Munawar Faruqui, a stand-up comedian who has had a bumpy career rife with cancelled shows and trouble with police over allegedly controversial comments, returned home, it seemed as if life for him had come full circle.
Faruqui was declared as the winner of reality television show Bigg Boss 17 on Sunday and the day after his victory, the Dongri ka Ladka went to Dongri, Mumbai — his hometown with his trophy. The frenzied fans gave him a rousing welcome as thousands gathered at Charnal chowk, where Faruqui greeted them.
“We are very happy and proud of him,” Kashif, who introduced himself as Faruqui’s friend, told ThePrint Tuesday. “He had said that he will bring the trophy to Dongri and he has fulfilled his promise.”
One of the posters had Faruqui’s photo with the message: ‘Vote for Munawar-King of Dongri’. Another one says — ‘Vote for Munawar and get your CBC and blood sugar test for Free. TROPHY toh Dongri hi Aayegi’. The third welcomes him with the message: ‘Welcome Dongri ka Ladka’
The stand-up comic was arrested in January 2021 after a group of men from a Hindu organisation stormed the stage in Indore. This followed with several instances of cancelled shows, including the one in Delhi in September 2022.
‘We have seen his struggles’
In the clip shared by Faruqui on his instagram page, he is seen standing after opening the sunroof of his car.
A sea of the crowd gathered around his car, and he lifted his trophy.
“Munawar has grown up here and we have seen his struggles. Today we are very happy, whatever controversy that surrounded him, he was punished for it and even jailed. Now that is in the past. Today he has made us proud,” Abdullah, a Dongri resident, told thePrint.
People tried to shake his hands, click pictures and greet him. Faruqui thanked the fans for their support and gestured towards the trophy, dedicating it to them.
In the locality, there were free blood and sugar tests arranged by NGOs. A local Caterer, Huma Caterers who offer catering services for weddings and other events even offered a 17% discount to their clients.
“Because Munawar bhai won Big Boss 17, we offered a 17 percent discount to our clients. That was a hit,” said Daniesh Khan from Huma Caterers.
Earlier after winning the trophy, Faruqui had thanked the public for their love and said that the trophy reached Dongri.
Also Read: Munawar Faruqui’s long overdue Gully Boy moment—from quitting comedy to winning Bigg Boss