Mrunal Thakur apologises to Bipasha Basu for body-shaming her in old interview: ‘I said many silly things…’

Actor Mrunal Thakur has issued a public apology after an old interview resurfaced online, in which she made remarks about Bipasha Basu’s appearance.

Thakur, who recently starred opposite Ajay Devgn in Son of Sardaar 2, took to Instagram on Thursday to address the controversy. Without naming anyone specifically, she acknowledged that she should have been more thoughtful with her words.

The 33-year-old actress reflected on her younger self, writing: “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.”

She clarified her intentions, adding: “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 have grown to appreciate that beauty comes in every form, and that's something I truly value now.”

The clip that sparked the backlash showed Thakur with her Kumkum Bhagya co-star Arjit Taneja. During the conversation, Taneja asked her to do a headstand, and she jokingly suggested he could sit while she balanced. He then prompted her to do push-ups, and she responded with a reference to Basu: “Do you want to marry a girl who is manly with muscles? Go marry Bipasha...Listen, I am far better than Bipasha, okay.”

Basu later shared a cryptic Instagram story, promoting female empowerment and physical strength: “Strong women lift each other up. 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.”

Mrunal Thakur’s Son of Sardaar 2 released on August 1 and continues its run in theatres. Basu, meanwhile, hasn’t appeared in a project since the 2020 series Dangerous, which she starred in alongside her husband Karan Singh Grover.