“Mrunal Thakur Says Sorry to Bipasha Basu for Old Body-Shaming Comment”

Mrunal Thakur wrote, “19-year-old me as a teenager said many silly things”

A few days ago, an old video from Mrunal Thakur’s early TV acting days resurfaced on social media. In the clip, Mrunal is seen talking about various Bollywood actresses when she makes a comment about Bipasha Basu. She says Bipasha looks “manly with muscles” and adds, “I am far better than Bipasha.”

At the time, the conversation appeared to be casual and joking, but in today’s context, many viewers interpreted it as body-shaming. The clip spread quickly across platforms like Instagram and X (Twitter), sparking debates about celebrity responsibility, casual sexism, and the way women’s bodies are judged in the entertainment industry.

An old clip from Mrunal Thakur’s early career recently resurfaced online. In it, she made a joke comparing herself to Bipasha Basu, calling the actress “manly” and suggesting she was “better” than her. While it was delivered in a light-hearted tone, many people found it offensive and labelled it as body-shaming.

Mrunal’s Apology

In response to the backlash, Mrunal posted a public apology on her Instagram Stories. She explained that she was only 19 years old when she made the comment, and at that stage in life, she lacked awareness about how words can impact others.

She wrote that she had said “many silly things” in her teenage years and did not realise how such remarks could hurt someone. Mrunal clarified that her intention was never to body-shame or insult anyone. Instead, she described the moment as “playful banter” that went too far.

The actress also said she has since matured and learned to value all kinds of beauty, emphasising that strength, confidence, and individuality should be celebrated.

Bipasha’s Reaction

Bipasha did not directly mention Mrunal in her posts, but shortly after the video went viral, she shared a series of statements on Instagram that many took as a subtle but firm response.

In her message, Bipasha praised strong women and encouraged them to support each other rather than tearing one another down. She also championed the idea that muscles and physical strength are positive traits for women, pushing back against outdated ideas that women should appear delicate or fragile.

Her posts were widely praised for promoting body positivity and self-empowerment without escalating the situation.

Public Response

Online opinions were mixed. Some praised Mrunal for taking responsibility, pointing out that everyone says thoughtless things when they’re young. Others felt the apology should have mentioned Bipasha directly, since the remark was made about her in public.

The incident shows how comments even ones made jokingly years ago can still affect people when they resurface. It’s a reminder to choose words carefully, especially in public settings, and to value diverse forms of beauty and strength. Mrunal’s apology and Bipasha’s empowering response turned what could have been a messy celebrity feud into a teachable moment about self-growth, kindness, and supporting other women. While opinions remain divided online, the situation serves as a reminder that even casual jokes can leave a lasting impression and that it’s never too late to apologise and evolve.