Who are Vannu D’Great and Mani Meraj – Bhojpuri Actress and YouTuber at the Middle of Fame, Controversy
Why their story matters
Overnight stardom, struggles and controversies — such is Bhojpuri entertainment industry. Vannu D’Great and Mani Meraj have been recently making the rounds on headlines and chit chat sites. Their story is a tale not only of glamour and celebrity but also of betrayal, allegations, and the increasingly powerful impact of digital platforms in shaping public opinion.
Punjabi origin Bhojpuri actress and social media star Vannu D’Great became a common name by her dynamic reels, music videos. “Mani Meraj, on the other hand, is a YouTuber who has turned actor and hails from Kishanganj in Bihar and graduated from selling chickens on the roadside to being one of biggest names in Bhojpuri digital entertainment.
But what had seemed on the surface to be a fairy-tale journey of two rising stars has since turned into a perfect storm of allegations, emotional pleas and public emotions. This news feature in the style of a biography delves into their lives, careers, and the controversy that has rocked the Bhojpuri entertainment industry.
Who Is Vannu D’Great? Early Life and Background
Vannu D’Great was not born in the Bhojpuri heartland or anywhere close to it. Her name is reportedly Sheela, and she hails from a Punjabi family in Ludhiana. She grew up in a middle-class home and had very little exposure to either Bhojpuri cinema or culture. But like millions of young Indians, she was inexorably drawn to the expanding universe of social media entertainment.
Instagram became her stage. Using dance reels, lip-sync videos and collaborations, she slowly developed a devoted audience. Her compatibility with Bhojpuri songs despite her being a Punjabi, gave her an introduction to new set of audiences. Quickly becoming known for her animated performances, trendy ensembles and a confident attitude.
And, within no time she rose to fame as her IG followers went past 3.2 M subscribers excluding the YT subscription making her one of most popular Bhojpuri content creator in India. For an outsider to the Bhojpuri belt, it was no mean feat.
Journey Into Bhojpuri Entertainment
One in a long line of Instagram stars to flame out after a few viral reels, Vannu was that rare casualty who took her success forward. She started featuring in Bhojpuri music albums with regional singers and artists. This transition from social media to traditional Bhojpuri entertainment paved the way for her professional life.
Producers noticed her popularity online. Songs in which she featured garnered millions of views on YouTube, and she became a popular choice for item numbers and promotional videos. To the Bhojpuri industry, which depends on music videos and stage shows as much as films, Vannu D’Great was a useful name.
Her Punjabi background brought a different flavour to her performances, even as she had to stand out in the crowd of homegrown Bhojpuri actresses. This mix of glamour, provincial connection and digital fame provided a head start in an increasingly competitive industry.
Instagram Fame and Stardom
Numbers on Instagram can say more than fortunes at the box office in today’s entertainment world. Instagram was not just a platform for Vannu D’Great but the foundation of her being. Her reels — there were many — went viral, and her followers engaged with every post.
She had scaled her personal brand across Bhojpuri entertainment. Fashion brands and lifestyle companies and regional advertisers started working with her. Her popularity crossed limits up to Punjab Bihar, U.P and the people living in Indian diaspora around the world searched Bhojpuri entertainment online.
For young fans, she was more than an actress but a digital influencer who embodied aspiration, style and relatability. But behind the stardom, her personal life was poised to unravel.
Who Is Mani Meraj? Childhood, Struggles, and Rise
If Vannu’s story is about breaking into Bhojpuri cinema from the outside, Mani Meraj’s is about rising out of poverty to stardom from within Bihar.
Mani was born in Kishanganj, Bihar in 2000 to an ordinary family. Mani's father was a butcher, and Mani used to sell chicken in the market to assist his family. He attended only up to class 10 and later dropped out so as to approach his life in a perspective of survival.
But he had something many of his peers didn’t: an aspiration to entertain. And he found his platform in the emerging world of social media, specifically on Instagram and YouTube. Minnal, short comedy skits and reels which he started to perform back then went viral.
From Selling Chickens to YouTube Fame
Mani Meraj’s YouTube channel, “Mani Meraj Vines,” was his passport to stardom. His content resonated with the youth — more so in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, who saw in him a guy who was just like them but living a dream.
His channel grew to have more than 10 million subscribers over the years. He picked up 7.2 million followers on Instagram alone. By 2025 his estimated net worth had crossed the $1M mark which was not always the case for lowly born son of Kishanganj, Harsh Sahay (allegedly).
This evolution from street-side chicken seller to digital celebrity became part of his persona. It proved to be a beacon for thousands, and he emerged as an icon of rudderless youth who believed social media might transform their lives.
Mani Meraj in Bhojpuri Cinema
Vannu from social media to mainstream Bhojpuri Also Mani followed the suit. He has acted in Bhojpuri films like Welcome and appeared as an item boy for several bhojpuri music albums. His work still got attention thanks to his strong fan base, even if it wasn’t always lauded by critics.
He was a harbinger of the new generation of Bhojpuri entertainers who were not subservient to film producers, carrying their own digital audience wherever they played. This freedom made him both influential and divisive.
How Vannu D’Great and Mani Meraj Met
Vannu and Mani’s relationship took off in the world where both were most comfortable — social media. It was collaborations, reels and mutual promotion that brought them together. For fans, the combination of a Punjabi-origin Bhojpuri actress and a self-made YouTuber from Bihar was thrilling.
The two dated, became intimate and even fell in love, Vannu later alleged. She claimed that they had married in secret, a marriage which was never publicised because of the religious and cultural differences. They were said to have dated for more than two-and-a-half years.
The Big Controversy — Betrayal, Abuse and a Viral Video
The fairy tale became a horror story when Vannu made public some stunning allegations. In a video that went viral on Instagram, she was seen with several members of Hindu Raksha Dal, crying and accusing Mani Meraj of betrayal.
Her allegations included:
Secret marriage followed by abandonment.
Mani’s family pressure to conceal the fact of their marriage because of religious differences.
2.Her religion is not a proper to be wooed There can never be forced conversion of her religion.
Emotional and physical abuse.
Adultery and the intention of Mani to marry someone else.
She said she had found several secret chats on his phone which proved he was cheating on her. She also claimed several other women had similar experiences at the hands of Mani but said nothing for fear.
This video spread like wildfire. National and regional media extensively covered the incident, which became one of the most talked about controversies in Bhojpuri entertainment.
The accusations were met with a wave of outrage on social media. Vannu’s defenders lauded her bravery for coming forward. She was accused by critics of craving attention. Religious organizations projected the aspect of so called "forced conversion", and this became a larger socio-political issue.
Prime-time news shows discussed the case. Bhojpuri fans were polarized — some supported Mani, reminiscing about his humble origins, while others demanded answers.
But Mani Meraj and his family are still silent. The lack of response only served to fuel the rumour fire, with many asking why he wouldn’t defend himself if the rumours weren’t true.
Effect on the Bhojpuri Industry and Social Media Universe
This controversy has not only made waves but also affected the Bhojpuri entertainment industry. Producers and co-stars became wary of working with either Vannu or Mani. Social media users launched into every old video and reel, looking for “clues.”
It was a reminder of how the personal lives of digital stars are now inseparable from their public image. Unlike film stars of yore, today’s Instagram darlings can’t keep a secret. Their fans demand transparency, and a scandal can turn quickly into an open trial.
What Will Happen to Vannu and Mani?
So far there has been no official police complaint filed on record. Mani has not commented. Vannu remains vocal about her experience, receiving a mixture of support and backlash.
Their careers hang in balance. We all know that controversy sells, but if you’re seeking career longevity in the entertainment industry, one must have credibility and stability. How they deal with this situation will determine their relevance or irrelevance in Bhojpuri entertainment.
Conclusion – What We Have Learned from This Case
The tale of Vannu D’Great and Mani Meraj is not the story of two people. It is about the assaultive power of social media, the vulnerability of relationships in the public eye and what becomes of fame.
In those 90 days, the girls went from average to popular overnight, and they experienced private and not-so-private love along with betrayal.- This story is about the dream of becoming a celebrity coming true. For fans and followers, it’s also another reminder that artwork crafted on glamorous reels or in viral videos can also hide untold struggles and sometimes heartbreaking truths.
FAQs
Q1. Who is Vannu D’Great?
Vannu D’Great is Bhojpuri actress from Punjab and an Instagram star She has more than 3.2 million followers.
Q2. Who is Mani Meraj?
Mani Meraj is a Kishanganj, Bihar based YouTuber and actor who went from selling chickens to have more than 10M subscribers on YouTube.
Q3. Are Vannu and Mani married?
Vannu has accused that she got secretly married but Mani has not admitted nor denied this officially.
Q4. What is Mani Meraj accused of?
Vannu accused him of cheating on her, emotionally abusing and coercing religion upon her, as well as being married elsewhere.
Q5. Has Mani Meraj responded?
So far, Mani Meraj hasn't yet spoken about the matter.
Q6. How has this affected the Bhojpuri industry?
And the scandal has whipped up a storm in the industry, with mixed reaction from fans and heightened media attention.
