Bipasha Basu is back in the spotlight, and this time her latest appearance has drawn praise for something that has long been part of her distinctive image. The actress recently featured on the cover of Elle India, showcasing a strong, athletic look that caught the attention of fashion designer Masaba Gupta. Masaba shared the cover on Instagram Stories and celebrated Basu’s individuality while also addressing the conversation around muscular beauty that resurfaced last year.
For Masaba, Basu represents a kind of Bollywood star who cannot easily be replicated. Her praise came as the actress prepares to return to acting with Hansal Mehta’s upcoming crime thriller “Barabanki,” making the timing particularly notable. Basu has spent years maintaining a recognizable screen image, and Masaba’s comments focus on exactly what makes her presence different from the current celebrity template.
Masaba Calls Bipasha The ‘Last Of The OGs’
Masaba shared the Elle India cover on her Instagram Stories and described Basu as someone who stands apart from the increasingly uniform standards of celebrity fashion and beauty. She praised the actress for maintaining an identity that feels individual rather than manufactured, while also welcoming her return to the public spotlight.
“I am very happy to see Bipasha on a cover. You see, she is the last of the OGs. There will not be another Bipasha because everything else is a cookie cutter template today. Boring. Dull. Doesn’t inspire one bit of confidence.”
Masaba then turned her attention to Basu’s athletic physique, making it clear that she sees strength as an important part of the actress’s appeal. Rather than treating a muscular build as something that needs to be softened to fit traditional ideas of femininity, she celebrated it as an example of the fitness standard Basu helped establish.
“And @bipashabasu I love your athletic build. I love the muscle- and I want more thanks to the standard of fitness you set. Too bad if someone doesn’t see it as feminine. This is so great. Welcome back. Breath of fresh air.”
The comments arrive at an interesting point in Basu’s career. After being away from films for several years, the actress is reportedly preparing to return with “Barabanki,” giving her another opportunity to redefine how audiences see her on screen. Her Elle India appearance has now added another layer to that comeback, particularly because it celebrates the physical confidence that has been part of her public image for years.
Why Mrunal Thakur’s Old Comment Returned
Masaba’s remarks also brought renewed attention to comments made by Mrunal Thakur during an older interview. A clip from an interview conducted around 2012 resurfaced online last year, in which Thakur compared herself with Basu and referred to the older actress as “manly with muscles.” The clip generated significant discussion online, particularly around the way female actors are judged for their bodies and appearance.
As the video circulated across social media, some users revisited Basu’s earlier image and career, while others criticized Thakur for the remarks. The discussion eventually prompted Thakur to address the controversy herself and acknowledge that she had been much younger when the original interview took place.
“19-year-old me as a teenager said many silly things. I didn’t always understand the weight of my voice or how much words, even in jest, could hurt. But it did, and for that I am deeply sorry. My intent was never to body-shame anyone. It was playful banter in an interview, that went too far. But I understand how it came across, and I truly wish I had chosen my words differently. With time, I’ve grown to appreciate that beauty comes in every form, and that’s something I truly value now,” she said.
The resurfaced clip therefore became about more than an old celebrity comment. It reopened a familiar discussion about how women in entertainment are expected to look and whether athletic or muscular physiques are treated differently from more traditionally feminine body types. Masaba’s latest message takes the opposite position, arguing that Basu’s strength is precisely what makes her stand out.
Bipasha Basu Is Entering A New Chapter
Basu’s recent cover appearance comes as interest in her professional return begins to build. She was last seen in “Dangerous,” the web series that marked her OTT debut and also featured Karan Singh Grover, before stepping away from acting for several years. Her reported next project, “Barabanki,” is expected to take her into a crime drama directed by Hansal Mehta.
The series is based on IPS officer Aloke Lal’s book “The Barabanki Narcos: Busting India’s Most Notorious Drug Cartel” and is set in the 1980s. Vishal Jethwa and Sunny Kaushal are also part of the reported cast, while the story focuses on an operation targeting the opium trade in Uttar Pradesh’s Barabanki district. Basu’s character details remain under wraps, but reports suggest she will have a meaningful connection to the protagonist.
That makes Masaba’s “Welcome back” message particularly fitting. Basu is not simply returning to the public eye through a magazine cover; she is also moving toward a new acting chapter after years away from regular screen appearances. With her latest fashion appearance generating attention and “Barabanki” on the horizon, the actress once again has audiences looking closely at what she does next.
Bipasha Basu And Masaba Gupta Q&A
Why did Masaba Gupta praise Bipasha Basu?
Masaba praised Bipasha after seeing her Elle India cover. She celebrated the actress’s individuality and specifically praised her athletic, muscular physique.
What did Masaba Gupta call Bipasha Basu?
Masaba called Bipasha Basu the “last of the OGs” and said there would not be another actress quite like her. She also criticized what she described as increasingly similar celebrity beauty templates.
What did Masaba say about Bipasha’s physique?
Masaba said she loved Basu’s athletic build and muscles. She also said she wanted more of that kind of representation because of the fitness standard Basu had set.
Why did Mrunal Thakur’s old comment about Bipasha resurface?
A clip from an interview dating back to around 2012 resurfaced online last year. In the clip, Thakur made comments about Basu’s muscular appearance, which led to criticism and a wider discussion about body image.
Did Mrunal Thakur apologize for her comments?
Yes. Thakur later acknowledged that she had said “many silly things” as a teenager and apologized for the way her old remarks were received. She said her intention had not been to body-shame Basu.
What was Bipasha Basu’s last screen appearance?
Basu was last seen in the web series “Dangerous,” which marked her OTT debut. She is now reportedly preparing to return with Hansal Mehta’s crime thriller “Barabanki.”
