Munawar Iqbal Faruqui is an Indian stand-up comedian, rapper, and singer born on 28 January 1992 in Junagadh, Gujarat. His family home was destroyed in the 2002 Gujarat riots. His mother died by suicide when he was approximately 14 years old, and his father fell ill in 2008, leaving Munawar to support his three sisters from the age of 17. He dropped out of school after the 5th standard and worked odd jobs - including as a utensil seller, salesman, and factory worker - before discovering stand-up comedy at a shoot where he was asked to speak two lines onstage. He launched his YouTube channel in 2020 with politically charged stand-up videos that went viral, making him one of India's most talked-about comedians. In January 2021, he was arrested for over a month on allegations of making offensive remarks about Hindu deities during a show - a case that became a flashpoint for free speech debates. Despite this, he won Kangana Ranaut's OTT reality show Lock Upp (2022) and became one of the biggest names in Indian entertainment. In October 2023, he entered Bigg Boss Season 17, hosted by Salman Khan, on Colors TV. His time in the house was marked by romantic tension with wildcard entrant Ayesha Khan, his close bond with Ankita Lokhande, and consistent support from fans. On 28 January 2024 - his 32nd birthday - he was declared the winner, taking home ₹50 lakh and a Hyundai Creta. He is currently married to makeup artist Mehzabeen Coatwala (December 2024), his second marriage.
Winning Lock Upp Season 1 (2022, hosted by Kangana Ranaut); viral YouTube stand-up specials including Dawood, Yamraaj & Aurat; Winner of Bigg Boss 17 (2024).