Khushi Mukherjee, an Indian actress and model, has recently addressed the online criticism she has received regarding her bold fashion choices, particularly a golden outfit that sparked significant controversy. The actress, known for her appearances in Tamil and Telugu films, Hindi web series, and MTV's Splitsvilla 10, has often found herself at the center of attention due to her daring style.
Mukherjee's career began in 2013 with the Tamil film Anjal Thurai. She then ventured into Telugu cinema with roles in Donga Prema and Heart Attack, and appeared in Hindi films such as Shringaar. Her participation in MTV's Splitsvilla 10 in 2017 significantly boosted her recognition, leading to increased media attention and a growing social media following. Over time, she became known for her bold fashion choices and also starred in the fantasy show Baalveer Returns. In 2020, Mukherjee launched her own production house, KM Films, and in January 2025, she unveiled a monthly digital magazine titled Bold is Bae, which features fashion editorials and guest columns from Bollywood stylists.
The recent controversy arose after Mukherjee was spotted in a mini halter-neck golden backless outfit featuring a plunging neckline and a thigh-high slit. The outfit quickly went viral, drawing mixed reactions from the public. While some praised her confidence and fashion sense, others criticized her choice, with some even making lewd comments. One particularly distasteful incident involved an elderly man who allegedly commented that she wasn't wearing underwear.
In response to the trolling and negative comments, Mukherjee has been vocal and unapologetic. She directly addressed the issue in an interview with Viral Bollywood, stating, "Kya aapne dekha tha ki maine chaddi pehni thi ya nahi? Of course, koi chaddi ke bahar toh nahi nikalega, right? Maine thong pehni thi, aur maine uski strip upar karke rakhi thi". This translates to, "Did you see whether I was wearing underwear or not? Of course, no underwear will come out, right? I wore a thong, and I had its strip placed high up". She further emphasized that she was comfortable in her outfit and aware of what was visible, stating, "Main uncomfortable nahi thi… mujhe pata hai kya dikh raha hai".
Mukherjee has also addressed the double standards she believes exist in the way women are perceived and judged for their clothing choices. She has said, "When others wear the same clothes, they're called sexy. When I wear them, I'm labelled". She has also alluded to the hypocrisy of those who benefit from creating content about her but simultaneously shame her. She stated that people are going with the flow and trend for no reason. She is the one who's getting shamed and trolled and others are benefitting out of it and that these people should say thank you to her.
This isn't the first time Mukherjee has faced criticism for her outfits. She revealed that she faced body-shaming since she was 16 and that she lost a film role for refusing "favours" demanded by financiers. Instead of giving in, she went public and now uses her platform to speak openly about gender-based harassment and industry exploitation.
Despite the negativity, Mukherjee remains unfazed and continues to express herself through her fashion choices. She questions why no action is taken against individuals who wear extremely revealing clothing in public spaces. In May 2025, Mukherjee hit back at trolls for creating negativity and 'slut shaming' her for her viral golden outfit attire and when asked how she handled the trolling, Mukherjee answered, "All I will say is that people are going by the flow and trend for no reason. I am the one who's getting shamed and trolled and others are benefitting out of it". She is stepping into a new spotlight with a Bollywood horror-comedy alongside Arbaaz Khan, Rajpal Yadav, and Jannat Zubair. She is also performing a high-glam dance number that insiders say will be “unlike anything seen before” in commercial cinema.
