Mrunal Thakur apologises over old ‘better than Bipasha’ clip, says ‘intent was never to body-shame’

Actress Mrunal Thakur, currently seen alongside Ajay Devgn in Son of Sardaar 2, has found herself at the centre of a social media storm. An old clip from her early television career has resurfaced online, drawing criticism for remarks she made about Bipasha Basu’s physique.

The video, which appears to be from a light-hearted interview during her TV days, shows a young Mrunal in a conversation with a male co-star who praises Bipasha. She responds, “Do you want to marry a girl who is manly with muscles? Go marry Bipasha.” She then adds, “Listen, I am far better than Bipasha, ok.” The resurfaced exchange quickly gained traction, with several users accusing her of body-shaming and making personal attacks.

Addressing the controversy, Mrunal posted a statement on Instagram. She wrote, “19-year-old me as a teenager said many silly things. I didn’t always understand the weight of my voice or how much words, even in jest, could hurt. But it did and for that I am deeply sorry. My intent was never to body-shame anyone. It was playful banter in an interview, that went too far. But I understand how it came across, and I truly wish I had chosen my words differently. With time, I’ve grown to appreciate that beauty comes in every form, and that’s something I truly value now.”

Bipasha Basu appeared to address the issue without naming anyone. In an Instagram Story, she wrote, “Strong women lift each other up.” Referring to the “muscles” remark, she added, “Get those muscles beautiful ladies, we should be strong. Muscles help you attain good physical and mental health forever! Bust the age-old thought process that women should not look strong or be physically strong.”

Bipasha, one of Bollywood’s most recognisable faces, has starred in films like Raaz, Jism, No Entry and Dhoom 2. A successful model before entering films, she made her acting debut in Ajnabee alongside Kareena Kapoor, Akshay Kumar, and Bobby Deol.

Mrunal, 33, has built her career across Hindi, Telugu, and Marathi cinema. Known for her roles in Sita Ramam and Hi Nanna, she continues to be a prominent face in Indian cinema. The incident has reignited conversations about how public figures address each other and the impact of resurfaced remarks in the age of viral content.