Bipasha Basu on starting Bollywood's muscle trend, and the injury behind it

In a recent Elle India interview, actress Bipasha Basu spoke about her decision to start weight training. The reason was not for aesthetic purposes, but rather medical. She explained that her knees were a concern and doctors warned that it might lead to surgery, making dance and action sequences difficult. She was determined to remain independent and fit, and began weight training and physiotherapy to understand the capabilities of the human body.

This led to the physique that defined a generation of Indian audiences' perception of a fit woman. At the time, women with more muscle tone were not widely accepted in the industry. However, Basu believes she was the one who started this trend and also began promoting self-love, as it was never just about looking good, but rather being healthy.

It's worth noting that she released fitness DVDs as early as 2005, well before the wellness trend gained popularity among actors. Basu entered Hindi cinema in 2001 at a time when actresses were typically petite, fair, and had delicate features. She stood out with her tall, athletic, and tanned appearance. Despite being cast in negative roles, her choices were unconventional and she attracted attention.

Basu has not acted since 2020, but she expressed a strong desire to return to her acting career. She is particularly interested in streaming platforms due to the long arc a series allows for character development.