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Actor Mrunal Thakur has come under criticism after an old interview clip resurfaced in which she mocked Bipasha Basu’s muscular physique, calling it “manly.” The video, from her Kumkum Bhagya days with co-star Arjit Taneja, recently went viral online.

In the clip, Arjit teased Mrunal about doing a headstand and push-ups. When he mentioned he would like to marry a strong, fit woman, Mrunal joked: “Do you want to marry a girl who is manly with muscles? Go marry Bipasha… Listen, I am far better than Bipasha, okay.”

The remarks, resurfacing years later, drew criticism on social media. Soon after, Bipasha Basu shared a cryptic Instagram story: “Strong women lift each other up… muscles help you attain good physical and mental health forever! Bust the age-old thought process that women should not look strong.”

Two days later, Mrunal posted an apology on Instagram. Without naming Bipasha, she wrote: “19-year-old me said many silly things. I didn’t understand the weight of my words or how much even playful banter could hurt. For that I am deeply sorry. My intent was never to body-shame anyone. I truly wish I had chosen my words differently.”

“With time, I have grown to appreciate that beauty comes in every form, and that's something I truly value now,” She added.

The Son of Sardaar 2 actress said her comments were thoughtless and stemmed from immaturity, calling her apology a reflection of growth.

Meanwhile, the controversy sparked wider discussions online, with many users revisiting Kareena Kapoor Khan’s old interviews, where she had made disparaging remarks about fellow actors. Social media users labeled her the “OG mean girl” and “real-life Poo,” with some on Reddit linking the behavior to nepotism.

Currently, Mrunal Thakur’s film Son of Sardaar 2 is running in theatres, while Bipasha Basu was last seen in the 2020 web series Dangerous alongside her husband Karan Singh Grover. [Rh/Eth/VP]

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