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What is the story about?
Success often comes to those who dare to step beyond society’s expectations and challenge traditional norms. Mehrunnisa Shaukat Ali is one such trailblazer who became India’s first female bouncer and redefined the role of women in the security industry. Starting her journey in 2003, Mehrunnisa now employs about 2500 people in her Delhi-based company, Mardaani Bouncer and Dolphin Security Service Private Limited.
In an interview with News18, Mehrunnisa revealed that she always wanted to become an army or police officer. She comes from a small town in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, where girls didn’t have much freedom at the time. Sons were given more importance, while daughters were considered someone else’s property. They weren’t even allowed on the roof of their homes.
Her father, Shaukat Ali, worked as an interior designer. In 2003, he had a heart attack after suffering significant losses in the stock market. When she went to Safdarjung Hospital to see him, she saw a group of tall, muscular bouncers. It was then that she wondered if women could become bouncers. After hearing it was possible, she decided to pursue the field.
Initially, because of her height of 5 feet 5 inches, people assumed she was just a security guard. She started building her physique in the gym and working with confidence, after which people started recognising her as a bouncer.
Mehrunnisa said she has worked with many major Bollywood stars, including Rani Mukerji, Priyanka Chopra, Sonu Nigam, Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan. She recalled a time when girls were forbidden from leaving their homes, but today, people take selfies with her and see her as inspirational.
As per Awaz The Voice, Mehrunnisa founded Mardani Bouncer and Dolphin Security Service Private Limited in 2010. She wanted to change both the perception of women bouncers and their working conditions. She received the country’s first bouncer award from Rani Mukerji at a Hindustan Times women’s program. The India Book of Records also honoured her as a female bouncer.
In 2021, Swati Maliwal, former chairperson of the Delhi Commission for Women under the Kejriwal government, recognised her as the country’s first female bouncer. She said her dream now is to open her own gym and train girls in martial arts. She is currently working towards that goal.
In an interview with News18, Mehrunnisa revealed that she always wanted to become an army or police officer. She comes from a small town in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, where girls didn’t have much freedom at the time. Sons were given more importance, while daughters were considered someone else’s property. They weren’t even allowed on the roof of their homes.
Her father, Shaukat Ali, worked as an interior designer. In 2003, he had a heart attack after suffering significant losses in the stock market. When she went to Safdarjung Hospital to see him, she saw a group of tall, muscular bouncers. It was then that she wondered if women could become bouncers. After hearing it was possible, she decided to pursue the field.
Initially, because of her height of 5 feet 5 inches, people assumed she was just a security guard. She started building her physique in the gym and working with confidence, after which people started recognising her as a bouncer.
Mehrunnisa said she has worked with many major Bollywood stars, including Rani Mukerji, Priyanka Chopra, Sonu Nigam, Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan. She recalled a time when girls were forbidden from leaving their homes, but today, people take selfies with her and see her as inspirational.
As per Awaz The Voice, Mehrunnisa founded Mardani Bouncer and Dolphin Security Service Private Limited in 2010. She wanted to change both the perception of women bouncers and their working conditions. She received the country’s first bouncer award from Rani Mukerji at a Hindustan Times women’s program. The India Book of Records also honoured her as a female bouncer.
In 2021, Swati Maliwal, former chairperson of the Delhi Commission for Women under the Kejriwal government, recognised her as the country’s first female bouncer. She said her dream now is to open her own gym and train girls in martial arts. She is currently working towards that goal.
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