Archive · 27 Aug 2026
Kangana Ranaut and Kriti Sanon Clash Over Raksha Bandhan Ad
Kriti Sanon appeared in a jewellery advertisement for Raksha Bandhan.
She wore a modern outfit with a bralette-style blouse, a cape and a draped skirt.
The advertisement showed her tying a Rakhi to her brother and her pet dog.
Kangana Ranaut said the outfit was not suitable for celebrating the traditional festival.
Sanon replied that women should not be told what to wear.
She said traditions are about feelings and meaning, not just clothes.
Ranaut later said women can wear whatever they want.
She also said the advertisement did not show several traditional festival details.
GIVA removed the advertisement after saying it may have hurt some people’s sentiments.
Kriti Sanon appeared in GIVA’s Raksha Bandhan advertisement wearing a bralette-style blouse, cape and draped skirt.
Kangana Ranaut questioned why Sanon would tie a Rakhi in what she called a bikini or undergarments.
Sanon responded that women should not be told what to wear and that cultural respect is not measured by clothing.
Ranaut later said women can wear whatever they want, while arguing the advertisement lacked traditional festival elements.
GIVA withdrew the advertisement from its media after saying it may have hurt some people’s sentiments.
- Who
- Actors Kriti Sanon and Kangana Ranaut, jewellery brand GIVA, and interviewer Sudhir Chaudhary.
- What
- A public dispute over Sanon’s clothing and the cultural presentation of GIVA’s Raksha Bandhan advertisement.
- When
- The dispute followed the advertisement’s release; Ranaut discussed her remarks on August 26, and GIVA said it withdrew the advertisement on a Wednesday.
- Where
- Ranaut and Sanon posted comments on Instagram Stories, while Ranaut later discussed the issue with Sudhir Chaudhary on DECODE Live.
- Why
- Ranaut and some social-media users considered the outfit and presentation unsuitable for a traditional festival, while Sanon objected to judging women’s cultural respect by their clothing.
Kangana Ranaut and Critics
Kriti Sanon and the Clothing-Choice Argument
Suitability for a traditional festival
Kangana Ranaut and Critics
Ranaut and some social-media users said the modern outfit was inappropriate for tying a Rakhi and questioned why other styling options were not used.
Kriti Sanon and the Clothing-Choice Argument
Sanon argued that the essence of a festival lies in the emotions and meaning attached to its traditions, rather than the clothes worn.
Clothing and cultural respect
Kangana Ranaut and Critics
Ranaut said personal choices cannot always be separated from cultural context and argued that the advertisement lacked traditional elements such as a home, parents, tilak, food, prayer items or religious imagery.
Kriti Sanon and the Clothing-Choice Argument
Sanon said a woman’s respect for her culture should not be measured only by her clothes or neckline, adding that ethnic fashion has evolved.
Freedom to choose clothing
Kangana Ranaut and Critics
Ranaut later said women can wear whatever they want, while maintaining that she could question the advertisement’s styling and presentation.
Kriti Sanon and the Clothing-Choice Argument
Sanon’s response challenged the broader practice of continually scrutinizing and instructing women about what to wear.
- Brand
- GIVA produced the jewellery advertisement.
- Advertisement outfit
- Sanon wore an ivory-coloured bralette-style top or blouse, a trailing sleeveless jacket or cape, and a draped skirt.
- Advertisement content
- Sanon tied a Rakhi to her brother and to her pet dog.
- Ranaut’s criticism
- She asked why someone would tie a Rakhi in a bikini or undergarments and described the advertisement as intentionally creepy.
- Sanon’s response
- She said women should not be told what to wear and that culture and traditions are in the heart, not the neckline.
- Ranaut’s clarification
- She said a woman can wear whatever she wants on Raksha Bandhan and said her comments were not a personal attack.
- Brand response
- GIVA said it respects Indian culture, traditions and festivals, and withdrew the advertisement after acknowledging that it may have hurt some segments of society’s sentiments.
Sources
'Who Stopped Her From Wearing Anything She Wants?' Kangana Ranaut To Kriti Sanon After 'Bikini' Jibe Over Rakhi Ad
'A woman can wear whatever she wants': Kangana Ranaut clarifies 'Bikini' remark amid Kriti Sanon jewellery ad controversy
