Bollywood icon Bipasha Basu is flexing more than her muscles, she’s flexing her confidence and grace. In response to a resurfaced clip of actress Mrunal Thakur calling her “manly with muscles,” Bipasha took to Instagram with a fiery, subtly pointed message: “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.”
The fire began when a throwback video from Mrunal’s Kumkum Bhagya days resurfaced on social media. In that lighthearted interview with her co-star Arjit Taneja, the conversation took fitness into humor-laced shade territory. Mrunal playfully asked, “Do you want to marry a girl who is manly with muscles?” After Arjit indicated preference for someone fit, she quipped, “Go marry Bipasha then.” It didn’t stop there,she added, “Listen, I am far better than Bipasha. Okay.” The video’s unexpected comeback ignited fierce online backlash, with many condemning it as a mean-spirited body-shaming comment against a celebrated fitness icon.
Bipasha, who has long championed wellness and body positivity through her fitness DVDs and public image, chose not to engage in petty retaliation. Instead, she delivered a statement resonating with strength and inclusivity, reminding everyone that physical strength is empowering. Her cryptic yet powerful Instagram story was hailed as a graceful clap-back from a seasoned pro.
Social media erupted immediately. Fans rallied behind Bipasha, praising her for standing tall. One user remarked, “All my admiration for Mrunal, gone in seconds.” Another praised Bipasha’s resilience, calling her icons “a power move.” A few voices attempted to defend Mrunal, pointing to the age of the clip and her youthful context at the time, but the dominant sentiment was disappointment.
This episode isn’t just a snippet of Bollywood gossip, it’s a vivid flashpoint in the larger conversation about women’s empowerment, body image, and solidarity. Bipasha’s graceful, poise-filled response reminds us all that confidence, not comparison, is the mark of true strength.
