Stand-up comedian Munawar Faruqui is in the limelight as he has shared a series of videos detailing how he dodged a likely publicity stunt while taking a mocking dig at internet personality Elvish Yadav. The Bigg Boss 17 winner claimed that an NGO approached him and offered him money to promote a fundraising campaign for a sick child.
In a video clip, the 33-year-old documented an incident that happened while he was on tour in Amsterdam. The video begins with Munawar Faruqui saying, “I don’t make videos like that, but I’m making one today. We were in Amsterdam and my manager called that we have to promote the reel and the story.”
According to Munawar, his manager received a call to promote the campaign with the reel and the story. After enquiring, he learned that a fundraising agency wanted donations for a child suffering from a rare disease.
He questioned the intentions of the agency that contacted him, claiming that they were ready to pay the hefty fees the rapper was charging. When the winner of Lock Up 1 realized that crowdfunding the medical treatment of the described minor appeared to be a scam, he declined the offer.
Munawar Faruqui is heard saying, “We have never gambled. We don’t sell tobacco or similar products. So I was shocked, what kind of business is this? There will be treatment. It may be genuine or not. But where will the money go after the treatment?” He argued that there may be some commercial motive in the involvement of the NGO and the entire agency.
In another clip, he asked his colleagues to refrain from any such promotion. To raise awareness of scam campaigns and tricks, he stated: “I just put it out here that people who do that kind of thing (promote charity campaigns) shouldn’t be doing it.”
He compared it to gambling and investing, emphasizing: “Everybody likes money. Even I love it. But I don’t love it that much.” He urged the public to make rational decisions and asked everyone to do real good deeds by helping the needy.
What is the connection with Elvish Yadav?
After the videos were shared on Instagram, several social media users pointed out that Munawar’s video was an indirect call for a potential scam, while many claimed that he was alluding to Elvish Yadav.
Social media sensation and singer Elvish Yadav on Saturday released a video that appeared to clear up allegations circulating online that he took money from fraudulent fundraising agencies. “These days I stay away from controversies, I am neither commenting on anyone, nor have I come to answer anyone in this video, but this video was needed,” said Elvish Yadav.
The 28-year-old stated that he does not charge money for any help. “If the people asking for money are ready to pay me, then of course they don’t need the money. JJ Communications is an old friend of mine who approached me with an agency,” he added. He dismissed rumors of his involvement in any fraud and further noted that any bank transfer can be traced in this digital world. He also mentioned that he verified the information and documents provided to verify the authenticity of the NGO.
