Pragya Kapoor shows support for Mrunal Thakur amid backlash over her old 'manly' comment on Bipasha Basu: 'One of the rarest souls I know'

Producer Pragya Kapoor has seemingly come out in support of actress Mrunal Thakur, who has been facing criticism after an old interview resurfaced online in which she made an unkind remark about Bipasha Basu.The viral clip, dating back to Mrunal’s Kumkum Bhagya days, has been widely shared on social media, with many accusing the actress of "body-shaming" Bipasha.Mrunal issues public apologyAs the backlash grew, Mrunal addressed the controversy head-on, admitting her mistake. In an Instagram Story shared on Friday, the actress wrote that, at 19, she had said “silly things” without understanding the “weight of her words” and how even playful banter could end up hurting someone. She added that, over time, she has learned to appreciate that “beauty comes in all forms.”Pragya and Hina Khan praise Mrunal’s honestyMrunal’s candid apology has drawn support from several industry colleagues. Pragya Kapoor praised her without directly referencing the controversy, writing on Instagram Stories, “Mrunal, your kindness, generosity, and endless support make you one of the rarest souls I know. Keep glowing and spreading love everywhere you go. Love you, darling.”Earlier, Hina Khan also lauded Mrunal for owning up to her mistake. She shared, “Wisdom is the fruit of the tree of knowledge, rooted in experiences. We all make mistakes, especially when we are younger. I can very well relate to Mrunal... But with time, we evolve, we become kinder, we become compassionate. We learn by lifting each other up, fixing each other’s crown.”Bipasha’s cryptic responseMeanwhile, Bipasha Basu appeared to respond indirectly to the resurfaced video. On Wednesday, she shared a cryptic post on Instagram Stories that read, “Strong women lift each other up.”Adding her own note, Bipasha wrote, “Get those muscles, beautiful ladies! We should be strong. Muscles help you attain good physical and mental health forever! Bust the age-old thought process that women should not look strong or be physically strong.”Though she didn’t mention Mrunal by name, many interpreted the post as a subtle response to the controversy.