Bollywood actress Mrunal Thakur has found herself at the center of yet another social media storm, this time for a comment that many netizens believe was a veiled dig at fellow actress Anushka Sharma. In a recent interview, Mrunal spoke candidly about her career choices and the importance of long-term growth over instant fame. However, one particular remark—“She is not working at the moment, but I am, which is itself a victory”—has ignited speculation and backlash, with many interpreting it as a swipe at Anushka, who has been on an extended break from acting.

The Remark That Sparked It All

During a sit-down with a digital entertainment platform, Mrunal was asked whether she had ever turned down a film that later became a blockbuster. She responded with honesty, admitting that she had rejected several big-ticket projects because she didn’t feel ready at the time. “I said no, honestly, because I was not ready. Controversies ho jayegi,” she said. “It became a super hit and did help the female actress to reach there. But then I realized if I would have done that film at that point of time, I would have lost myself.”

It was the follow-up line that raised eyebrows: “Then she is not working at the moment, but I am, which is itself a victory because I don’t want instant gratification, instant recognition, instant fame. Because anything that comes instantly goes away instantly.”

While Mrunal did not name the actress in question, social media users quickly began speculating that she was referring to Anushka Sharma, who starred in the 2016 blockbuster Sultan opposite Salman Khan—a role Mrunal had reportedly auditioned for but did not land.

Connecting the Dots: Sultan and the Missed Opportunity

The connection to Sultan stems from a revelation made by Salman Khan during a past episode of Bigg Boss, where he mentioned that Mrunal had auditioned for the role of Aarfa, a wrestler and the female lead in the film. According to Salman, Mrunal had even visited his farmhouse to meet him and director Ali Abbas Zafar. However, the team ultimately felt she didn’t fit the physical profile of a wrestler, as she had lost significant weight at the time.

The role eventually went to Anushka Sharma, who received widespread acclaim for her performance and added another hit to her already impressive filmography. For many fans, Mrunal’s recent comment seemed to revisit that moment with a tone of bitterness.

Social Media Reacts: “Mean Girl Energy”

The internet wasted no time dissecting Mrunal’s statement. Reddit threads and Twitter posts flooded with reactions, many accusing her of undermining Anushka’s career and choices. One user wrote, “Peak mean girl energy—‘she’s not working today but I am.’ Why put others down to lift yourself?” Another commented, “If this was about Anushka, Mrunal should remember how Anushka went from Sultan to producing her own films. She’s hardly ‘not working.’”

Others defended Anushka’s decision to take a break from acting, pointing out that she has been focusing on her family and production ventures. “She might find gratification in raising her child and producing meaningful cinema. That’s not a loss—it’s a choice,” one user noted.

A Pattern of Controversial Comments?

This isn’t the first time Mrunal has faced backlash for her remarks. Just weeks earlier, an old video resurfaced in which she appeared to body-shame actress Bipasha Basu during a light-hearted exchange on the set of Kumkum Bhagya. “Do you want to marry a girl who is manly with muscles? Go marry Bipasha. Listen, I am far better than Bipasha, okay,” she had said.

Following the uproar, Mrunal issued a public apology, acknowledging that her teenage self didn’t fully grasp the impact of her words. “My intent was never to body-shame anyone. It was playful banter in an interview that went too far,” she wrote. “With time, I’ve grown to appreciate that beauty comes in every form.”

Given this recent history, many critics are now questioning whether Mrunal’s latest comment reflects a deeper tendency to compare herself to others in the industry rather than focusing on her own journey.

The Bigger Picture: Fame, Competition, and Female Solidarity

The controversy surrounding Mrunal’s remark touches on broader themes within the entertainment industry—particularly the pressures of competition and the fragile nature of fame. Her comment about “instant gratification” and “instant fame” seems to reflect a desire for longevity and authenticity in her career. But by juxtaposing her current activity with another actress’s hiatus, she inadvertently sparked a conversation about how women in Bollywood are often pitted against each other.

In an industry where female actors are frequently judged not just by their performances but by their visibility, choices like taking a break or stepping away from the spotlight are often misunderstood. Anushka Sharma, for instance, has been vocal about prioritizing her family and producing content that aligns with her values. Her absence from acting doesn’t necessarily equate to a lack of success or relevance.

Mrunal’s journey, too, has been marked by resilience and thoughtful choices. From television to critically acclaimed films like Jersey and Sita Ramam, she has carved a niche for herself. But the recent backlash suggests that public perception is shaped not just by talent but by how one speaks about others in the industry.

What Lies Ahead for Mrunal and Anushka

As of now, Mrunal Thakur is gearing up for the release of Son of Sardaar 2, where she stars alongside Ajay Devgn and Ravi Kishan. The film is expected to be a commercial entertainer and could further cement her position in mainstream Bollywood.

Anushka Sharma, meanwhile, continues to maintain a low profile, with her production house Clean Slate Filmz focusing on digital content and socially relevant storytelling. Her last acting appearance was in Zero (2018), and while fans eagerly await her return to the big screen, she has made it clear that she’s in no rush.

Whether Mrunal’s comment was a calculated jab or an unfortunate slip, it has reignited discussions about how actresses navigate fame, competition, and public scrutiny. In a time when female solidarity is more important than ever, perhaps the lesson here is that success doesn’t have to come at the expense of someone else’s journey. And sometimes, silence speaks louder than shade.