Amidst the swirling controversy surrounding Mrunal Thakur's resurfaced remarks about Bipasha Basu, Hina Khan has stepped forward to offer her support, emphasizing the universality of making mistakes. The controversy erupted after an old video clip of Mrunal Thakur from her television days went viral. In the clip, she is seen in a lighthearted conversation with her "Kumkum Bhagya" co-star, Arjit Taneja, where she jokingly refers to herself as "far better than Bipasha". She also responded to Arjit's preference for a toned physique by saying "Go marry Bipasha then".
The resurfaced clip triggered a wave of criticism, with many accusing Mrunal of body-shaming and making unwarranted personal attacks. Social media users defended Bipasha Basu's confidence, looks, and embraced dusky skin tone. Some even recalled Mrunal's past behavior on reality shows and linked the controversy to rumors about her personal life.
In response to the backlash, Mrunal Thakur issued a public apology on Instagram. She admitted that her words were "silly" and that she didn't understand the weight of her voice as a teenager. "My intent was never to body-shame anyone," she wrote, explaining that it was playful banter that went too far. She added that she now appreciates beauty in every form and wishes she had chosen her words differently.
Bipasha Basu indirectly addressed the controversy by posting an Instagram Story that read, "Strong women lift each other up". She also encouraged women to embrace strength and challenge outdated beauty notions, referencing the "muscles" remark by saying, "Get those muscles beautiful ladies, we should be strong".
Hina Khan's support for Mrunal comes at a crucial time. Hina Khan, who has faced her own share of public scrutiny and trolling, understands the impact of resurfaced remarks and the importance of learning from past errors. While Hina Khan's direct statement hasn't been published in media outlets yet, it has been noted that she has spoken out in support of Mrunal Thakur on social media.
The incident has sparked a broader conversation about the impact of resurfaced remarks in the age of viral content and how public figures address each other. It serves as a reminder that words, even those spoken in jest, can have a lasting impact. While accountability is important, forgiveness and the capacity for growth should also be considered. Many people have supported Mrunal, reminding everyone that people make mistakes and grow.