Now Reading: Kriti Sanon hits back at Raksha Bandhan ad outfit critics
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Kriti Sanon hits back at Raksha Bandhan ad outfit critics
Kriti Sanon has responded to backlash over her outfit in a Raksha Bandhan advertisement for jewellery brand GIVA, saying the essence of festivals lies in emotions, not clothing. The actor was seen…
Kriti Sanon has responded to backlash over her outfit in a Raksha Bandhan advertisement for jewellery brand GIVA, saying the essence of festivals lies in emotions, not clothing. The actor was seen in an off-white bralette-style blouse with a cape and draped skirt, which some social media users called inappropriate for a traditional festival.
In an Instagram post, Sanon wrote: 'The essence of festivals is not in the clothes you wear, it is in the emotions and meaning you hold for the traditions.' She added that she and her sister tie rakhi to each other, and that their prayer extends to their dogs. She questioned: 'When will we stop telling women what to wear?'
BJP MP and actor Kangana Ranaut criticised the ad, asking why Sanon would wear what she called a 'bikini/undergarments' for the occasion. Sanon did not name Ranaut in her response.
Indian Opinion Analysis
Most outlets reported Sanon's rebuttal neutrally, while Hindustan Times and ABP Live led with the backlash and Kangana Ranaut's criticism, framing the controversy as a clash of cultural values. The Times of India gave equal weight to Sanon's defence and Ranaut's jab. Sanon's argument, that culture is in the heart, not the neckline, anchored coverage across sources, but Ranaut's 'bikini' remark amplified the moral policing angle Sanon opposed. The ad also drew criticism for showing Sanon tying a rakhi to a dog, which Bollywood Hungama noted added to the debate.
Coverage: 5 sources, 5 neutral
Sources (5): news.abplive.com (neutral report), siasat.com (neutral report), bollywoodhungama.com (neutral report), timesofindia.indiatimes.com (neutral report), hindustantimes.com (neutral report)
This story was synthesised by AI from the 5 sources linked above.
Updated: this story now draws on 5 sources.
