Kriti Sanon has opened up about the controversy surrounding her Raksha Bandhan advertisement and revealed just how surprised she was by the scale of the debate around it.
While appearing on Kareena Kapoor Khan’s What Women Want Season 6, the actress recalled how her outfit in the jewellery advertisement suddenly became a major topic of discussion on television. Kriti said she could not believe that her “choli” had become part of a six-person panel discussion on prime-time news.
The comment came after the campaign attracted criticism on social media, with some viewers questioning the styling and presentation of a traditional festival.
1. Kriti Was Shocked by the Media Attention
The controversy began after Kriti appeared in a GIVA jewellery campaign for Raksha Bandhan. The advertisement featured the actress in a contemporary outfit consisting of a bralette-style blouse, cape and draped skirt.
While the campaign attempted to present Raksha Bandhan with a modern perspective, the outfit quickly became a talking point online. Some users questioned whether the styling was appropriate for a festival traditionally associated with family celebrations.
For Kriti, however, the scale of the reaction was unexpected. She recalled being surprised that something as personal as her clothing had become serious prime-time television discussion.
2. The Ad Sparked a Wider Debate
The controversy was not limited to social media. The advertisement eventually became part of a wider conversation about how Indian festivals should be represented in modern advertising.
Some critics objected to Kriti’s outfit, while others questioned the concept of the campaign, particularly a scene in which she ties a rakhi to a dog. The campaign was intended to extend the idea of family to pets, but the concept received mixed reactions online.
The debate also attracted criticism from actor-politician Kangana Ranaut, who questioned the choice of attire and the presentation of the festival. Kriti later responded to the criticism by arguing that the essence of festivals lies in emotions and traditions rather than in what a woman wears.
3. Kriti Sanon Stood by Her View
Kriti did not shy away from expressing her perspective on the controversy. In her response, she questioned the tendency to judge a woman’s respect for culture based on her clothes.
The actress emphasised that traditions are ultimately about emotions, relationships and the meaning people attach to them. She also pointed out that fashion and ethnic clothing have evolved over the years.
Her comments turned the controversy into a broader discussion about women, fashion and cultural expectations.
GIVA Eventually Pulled Down the Advertisement
The controversy eventually led jewellery brand GIVA to withdraw the advertisement from its platforms.
The brand issued a statement expressing respect for Indian culture, traditions and festivals and said that hurting anyone’s sentiments had never been its intention. GIVA subsequently removed the campaign following the backlash.
The development added another chapter to what had started as a festive advertising campaign featuring a Bollywood star.
Kriti Revisits the Episode With Kareena Kapoor
Months after the controversy, Kriti’s decision to discuss the episode on What Women Want offered a more personal perspective on what she experienced during the backlash.
Her remark about the “six people panel discussion” also highlighted how quickly celebrity fashion choices can become major public debates.
For Kriti, the incident appears to have been an unexpected lesson in how closely celebrity appearances are scrutinised. What began as a jewellery advertisement ultimately became a much larger conversation about fashion, tradition, advertising and the way women are judged for their clothing.
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