Bipasha Basu sparks debate over Bollywood beauty standards

A resurfaced video from 2012 featuring actress Mrunal Thakur has reignited a debate regarding beauty standards in Bollywood. In the clip, Thakur made comments regarding Bipasha Basu’s muscular physique, which has led to renewed discussions about conventional femininity and fitness in the industry.

Fashion designer Masaba Gupta recently addressed the controversy on social media, praising Basu for her athletic build and describing her as ‘the last of the OGs’ in an era of ‘cookie cutter’ templates. Gupta expressed support for Basu’s muscularity, noting that such physiques are often unfairly viewed as less feminine.

Bipasha Basu has also commented on her influence within the industry, stating that she helped pioneer a trend of athletic and strong female stars during a period when petite frames and delicate features were the prevailing norm. Basu emphasized the importance of prioritizing health and self-love over purely aesthetic goals, while also expressing pride in aging naturally.