Mrunal Thakur and Bipasha Basu controversy explained

[{"selector":"#anim-aa390d32-cab7-465c-9478-bfc44b662574","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":6000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-aba26f6a-cfe8-4cc2-bd77-32211d053282","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 167.26325%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":6000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] By Vaishnavi Gavankar | August 14, 2025

Origination of the Clip

[{"selector":"#anim-39eed1ac-ddab-4577-a786-dbc0a8cef1fc","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":6000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6bd730cd-4e70-4d17-b37b-da9ac32f2a1f","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 150.51959%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":6000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d88c8a6c-6218-4127-9c7b-f6aae092a51a","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":6000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a90bbfd8-819e-4d57-bf14-7fe8d0192b5c","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 255.55564%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":6000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8bf5aebe-e90b-469b-b67c-715ebab2b7fe","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":6000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-96e741ec-ae07-4ecb-bcc8-5aa4f963c126","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 532.16347%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":6000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Credit: Instagram.com A vintage video from Mrunal Thakur’s early TV days (during Kumkum Bhagya) resurfaced, showing her joking with co-star Arjit Taneja about fitness and physique. Image Credit: Instagram.com

Controversial Remarks

[{"selector":"#anim-e6cebb04-a5bb-49f0-b631-0da563739b74","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":6000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-0dc581ea-6dd6-4bd5-884a-f35f3cad3a7d","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 150.51959%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":6000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-fd3b30b5-8acb-48fc-8be2-3c3c72b67eda","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":6000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-11c20cfc-7925-4379-8bbc-af60ccbcd4e5","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 255.55564%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":6000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-41cda0a0-dd72-4f21-bf59-21f08c17f79d","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":6000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-74150009-bab4-47f2-ab94-d5730fa09a32","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 532.16347%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":6000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Credit: Instagram.com In the clip, she quipped: “Do you want to marry a girl who is manly with muscles? Go marry Bipasha,” followed by “I am far better than Bipasha.” Image Credit: Instagram.com

Social Media Explosion

[{"selector":"#anim-aaa0fc1d-7edc-4815-9b57-14066fccf98e","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":6000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6d999067-beab-4975-a920-ded09f349b34","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 150.51959%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":6000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5e290c7b-18c0-41f7-92f8-ee2efcd8fcb6","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":6000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d691ccf0-7fe8-49a3-a2e7-7927d38db78f","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 255.55564%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":6000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1eb44326-cf53-426f-928c-aee5dee8e81a","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":6000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-52930837-89e6-4bf1-8caa-14d65fdefc94","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 532.16347%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":6000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Credit: Instagram.com Once resurfaced, the clip went viral—netizens labeled it “toxic” and interpreted it as body-shaming, leading to widespread online outrage. Image Credit: Instagram.com

Accusations of Body-Shaming

[{"selector":"#anim-9729a06e-5920-4fea-a9a3-4cdbfc7bf09e","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":6000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c488ba20-3696-44f9-8308-aa81ee06622c","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 150.51959%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":6000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-465b6f77-4090-499e-92db-b4977eb4a113","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":6000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-009bd3e9-c2ff-4946-ab7f-699a23ab1639","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 255.55564%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":6000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-984e2ab7-e0b3-4e7f-9c79-0a677201218a","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":6000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1256760b-df88-43b1-aeec-e1201515f8ef","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 1123.45723%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":6000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Credit: Instagram.com Critics accused the comment of being insensitive and divisive, sparking discussions about internal criticism among women in the industry. Image Credit: Instagram.com

Defenses & Division

[{"selector":"#anim-998207eb-4b73-40cb-882a-e570e6c5d72d","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":6000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-74877fa6-0546-48a4-a3e0-6c00c9d47920","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 150.51959%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":6000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-00d00e46-773a-4055-baa8-fd74370f7f63","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":6000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-724bf087-6730-4406-be93-3cc991a6d76a","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 201.43783%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":6000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d777a58d-a1a2-4393-87ca-cf4aafeeb637","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":6000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5a412c9b-6470-4769-82de-9f97da3de28e","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 518.51845%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":6000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Credit: Instagram.com Some fans came to Mrunal’s defense, arguing the video was taken out of context and meant as playful banter from her early career. The Times of India Image Credit: Instagram.com

Influencer Reaction

[{"selector":"#anim-4c9b3039-5f98-499c-b79e-a3691d29eda8","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":6000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e40f9e91-b9dc-40d1-ae1f-1b1c0bea6b59","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 150.51959%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":6000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f3837d6d-fa72-4889-acf5-e453fa485f24","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":6000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5d9118b8-217b-409a-ae31-abc3908d9dc1","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 169.52697%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":6000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-0eea1f4a-52f9-4ade-8184-d7b7d5c44d7d","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":6000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-aded2f76-5a2e-48ac-89dc-96ba5ff7ad8f","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 518.51845%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":6000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Credit: Instagram.com Bollywood influencer Orry (Orhan Awatramani) publicly reacted with disbelief, commenting: “LMAO. F’ing O wtffff is disss woman smoking?” Hindustan TimesThe Times of India Image Credit: Instagram.com

Bipasha’s Subtle Response

[{"selector":"#anim-85506522-2764-4d06-8662-8c6cd5e25172","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":6000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-96cdede1-8fdc-4065-a200-97fde4c4bf08","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 150.51959%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":6000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-fb2f3c29-3cc5-4bf9-98ac-7370566e25ec","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":6000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-cdb9857c-56b7-46dc-80b5-ee470fa8c6c8","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 201.43783%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":6000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-bb94bcbe-06f5-4bc8-a2ec-62f51031bf50","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":6000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d46a9d0c-3360-48d4-9206-7557d4114941","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 1064.32867%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":6000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Credit: Instagram.com Bipasha didn’t address Mrunal directly but posted a cryptic Instagram Story stating: “Strong women lift each other up… Get those muscles, beautiful ladies… bust the age-old thought process.” Image Credit: Instagram.com

Mrunal’s Reaction

[{"selector":"#anim-d62ec631-d308-4015-81d3-9bcd94bf5bf1","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":6000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2c7b1662-4af4-444d-b18a-c0e3cff36298","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 150.51959%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":6000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-97c2abcc-8795-43b9-bac6-709e7ca1fe44","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":6000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-581c05a3-32f8-4601-8751-0e236aeda5cb","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 201.43783%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":6000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6581d088-15b1-4f6d-a42f-3af6c4086b79","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":6000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2405121d-cf85-4300-989b-5353f0dd9936","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 518.51845%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":6000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Credit: Instagram.com Rather than issuing an apology, Mrunal responded nonchalantly with a social media post featuring a stylish black-outfit snapshot and the caption: “Stop staring!” Image Credit: Instagram.com

Broader Conversations Sparked

[{"selector":"#anim-5d63c1e9-d708-4f68-808b-abbb627aa85b","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":6000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-72a3d96d-f6dd-431d-8974-1d831b9162da","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 150.51959%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":6000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f6477d05-cf7d-4aef-9f0b-3a30a3df4c29","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":6000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6faf0a02-c4c1-464b-9ab4-f44d5c341dfa","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 255.55564%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":6000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8e5f0ff9-dfec-48a8-ade3-a23057795a0d","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":6000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-46113abf-8e77-402d-a5e7-6415e4b9a369","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 1263.88722%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":6000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Credit: Instagram.com The incident reignited debates around body image, female rivalry vs. solidarity, and how past casual comments can be re-interpreted and criticized in today’s media climate. Image Credit: Instagram.com

Next: Bharti Singh, Rupali Ganguly, Rubina Dilaik and more TV actresses who were brutally bodyshamed Thanks For Reading ! Find out More