Overview

• A throwback interview from Thakur’s Kumkum Bhagya days resurfaced online showing her calling Basu “manly with muscles” and declaring “I am far better than Bipasha.”
• The clip went viral across Instagram reels, YouTube channels and news outlets, drawing backlash from netizens and influencers such as Orhan “Orry” Awatramani.
• On August 13, Basu posted Instagram Stories advocating body positivity and encouraging women to “get those muscles” and redefine strength.
• Thakur has not issued a formal apology or directly addressed the controversy, instead sharing new Instagram photos captioned “Stop staring!”
• Debate continues on social media and in entertainment coverage over celebrity culture, body-shaming and the role of archival footage in online accountability.