However, one particular part of Masaba’s post has caught social media’s attention, with some users interpreting it as a subtle reference to an old controversy involving Mrunal Thakur and Bipasha.
On September 5, Elle India unveiled a glimpse of Bipasha’s latest magazine shoot on social media. The actress can be seen experimenting with several glamorous silhouettes, including a black mermaid-cut gown, a blue maxi dress, a golden off-shoulder gown and a red cowl-neck dress.
Among the photographs, a black-and-white portrait of Bipasha in the black gown stood out to Masaba. Sharing the image on Instagram, the designer celebrated Bipasha’s distinct presence and called her one of the original faces of Bollywood’s glamour era.
Masaba described the actress as “the last of the OGs” and expressed her happiness at seeing her grace a magazine cover. She also praised Bipasha’s athletic physique and fitness journey, arguing that her muscular build should be celebrated rather than seen as less feminine.
Masaba wrote that there would not be another Bipasha because of what she described as the increasingly “cookie-cutter” nature of beauty and fashion today. She further praised the actress for setting a strong fitness benchmark and said she loved her athletic build and muscles.
While the post was largely seen as an expression of appreciation for Bipasha, some social media users linked Masaba’s words to an old incident involving Mrunal Thakur.
What Did Mrunal Thakur Say About Bipasha Basu?
The controversy dates back to an old interview featuring a much younger Mrunal. During the conversation, Mrunal asked her Kumkum Bhagya co-star Arjit Taneja whether he would marry a woman who was “manly with muscles.”
When Arjit said he liked a toned physique like Bipasha’s, Mrunal responded, “Go marry Bipasha then.” She subsequently added, “I am far better than Bipasha, ok.”
The old clip resurfaced on social media last year, prompting criticism from viewers who accused Mrunal of body-shaming Bipasha. The backlash eventually led Mrunal to address the remarks publicly and apologize on Instagram.
Mrunal explained that she was only 19 when the conversation took place and described it as playful interview banter that had crossed a line. She expressed regret over what she said and acknowledged that she had grown since then, including learning to appreciate different forms of beauty.
The actor has also spoken about the incident in interviews in early 2026, calling it a mistake from her younger years and something she learned from.
Against that backdrop, Masaba’s emphasis on Bipasha’s muscular physique and her comments about femininity have led some social media users to speculate that the designer was indirectly referencing the old remarks. Masaba, however, did not name Mrunal in her post, leaving the interpretation to social media.
