The Maxim cover, with Shotgun Sinha's daughter wearing the green and white striped bikini, had been doing the rounds on the Internet.
It had apparently even shocked papa Shatrughan. But nowhere in the Maxim issue, which also has a sensuous photoshoot of her in a series of black and gray dresses and wraps, is she featured in a bikini.
So where is the cover picture from? Is it a fake, or was it withdrawn just before the magazine went into print? One theory says she did do the bikini shoot, but got cold feet under family pressure, consequently withdrawing it.
The other argument, in keeping with Sonakshi's retort to the mystery picture, is that it is cleverly photoshopped. "It's not me," she has said.
Just when the media was busy reporting on the 'bold move' by the Dabangg girl, who had earlier said she'd "never wear a bikini as she felt no need to expose," this mystery picture has left everyone even more curious.
Looking at the bikini picture, it's hard not to notice that the picture is airbrushed to show a svelte body form. While it is a known fact that bikini pictures of celebrities are often touched up, this one has her looking particularly thin for someone of Sonakshi's broad frame.
The picture spread inside the issue that has hit the stands has Sonakshi posing at clever angles, wearing clothes that are rather forgiving and flattering.
Why would she wear such clothes if she really had a bikini body to flaunt? While Sonakshi has lost a lot of weight (30 kg in one year by her own admission), she is no bikini-bod.
Ever since she first walked the runway in 2008, she has been known as a big girl with curves. Something she is also heard taking pride in. It maybe a while yet till we get to see Sonakshi's bold avatar.
