Kangana Ranaut criticises Kriti Sanon’s Raksha Bandhan ad outfit, sparking debate over traditional festival attire, women’s fashion and cultural values as social media backlash continues.
Actress Kangana Ranaut has reacted to the controversy surrounding Kriti Sanon’s recent Raksha Bandhan advertisement, questioning the choice of attire featured in the campaign and sparking another round of debate on social media over fashion, tradition and cultural representation.
The controversy began after jewellery brand GIVA released a Raksha Bandhan advertisement featuring Kriti Sanon in an off-white ensemble. The outfit included a bralette-style blouse, a cape and a draped skirt. While the advertisement was intended to mark the traditional Indian festival, it quickly drew criticism from sections of social media users who felt that the styling did not align with the cultural sentiment associated with Raksha Bandhan.
As reactions to the advertisement intensified, Kangana Ranaut joined the discussion through her official Instagram Stories on Monday. The actress questioned why women, despite having access to a wide range of clothing choices, would choose an outfit that she considered inappropriate for a traditional Raksha Bandhan campaign.
In her post, Kangana highlighted the variety of clothing available to modern women, ranging from cocktail dresses and lehenga cholis to jeans, sarees, bikinis and salwar kameez. She then questioned the styling used in the advertisement and sarcastically suggested that the campaign appeared intentionally uncomfortable.
Kangana wrote, “It’s is a wonderful time to be a woman, our closets are full of variety of clothes, today’s woman is a global woman, from cocktail dresses to lehnga cholis, jeans to saris, bikins to salwar kameez, from all the options that are available to us today why would you tie your brother a Rakhi in your bikini/ undergarments? Where are all your styling options? Ha ha the advert looks intentionally creepy! (sic).”
Her comments have added a new dimension to the ongoing controversy, with the debate now involving questions about artistic freedom, fashion choices and the expectations surrounding traditional festivals.
Several social media users had already criticised Kriti’s appearance in the advertisement. Some argued that the styling was unsuitable for a campaign centred on Raksha Bandhan, while others described it as an example of changing social and cultural norms.
Among the comments circulating online were remarks claiming that the advertisement reflected the changing standards of clothing and tradition. Some users also accused sections of the entertainment industry of ignoring Hindu traditions while attempting to appeal to contemporary audiences.
However, the controversy has also raised broader questions about whether traditional festivals should necessarily dictate the fashion choices presented in commercial campaigns. Raksha Bandhan is widely celebrated as a festival symbolising the bond between brothers and sisters, while advertisements associated with the occasion often combine traditional themes with contemporary fashion.
Kriti Sanon has yet to publicly respond to the criticism surrounding the GIVA advertisement or Kangana Ranaut’s comments. The actress’s silence has left the debate largely centred on the advertisement itself and the contrasting reactions from social media users.
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The controversy comes amid an ongoing discussion in the Indian entertainment and advertising industries about balancing modern fashion with cultural themes. While some viewers expect traditional imagery during festivals, others argue that contemporary styling can coexist with established celebrations.
For now, the Raksha Bandhan advertisement continues to generate discussion online, with Kangana’s criticism further drawing attention to Kriti Sanon’s campaign and the wider debate over fashion, tradition and cultural values.
