Archive · 26 Aug 2026
Kriti Sanon Defends Raksha Bandhan Ad Amid Backlash
Kriti Sanon appeared in a GIVA jewellery advertisement about Raksha Bandhan.
She wore a modern ivory outfit with a bralette-style blouse, cape and skirt.
Some people thought the outfit was not suitable for the traditional festival.
Kangana Ranaut also criticized the advertisement and called it creepy.
Kriti replied that culture is about feelings and traditions, not just clothes.
She said women should not be told what to wear.
Kriti explained that she and her sister tie rakhi to each other because protection can go both ways.
She also said their dogs are family and are included in their prayers.
The advertisement led to a larger discussion about tradition, clothing and personal choice.
Kriti Sanon defended GIVA’s Raksha Bandhan advertisement featuring her in an ivory bralette-style blouse, cape and draped skirt.
Kangana Ranaut questioned the styling, comparing the blouse to a bikini or undergarments and calling the advertisement “intentionally creepy.”
Kriti said festivals are defined by emotions, traditions and bonds of protection rather than a woman’s clothing or neckline.
She said she and her sister, Nupur Sanon, tie rakhi to each other and extend their prayers and protection to their dogs.
The campaign prompted debate over women’s clothing, traditional rituals, the inclusion of a pet and whether GIVA withdrew the advertisement after backlash.
- Who
- Actor Kriti Sanon, actor and BJP MP Kangana Ranaut, Kriti’s sister Nupur Sanon, GIVA and social media users.
- What
- A dispute over Kriti Sanon’s outfit and the portrayal of Raksha Bandhan in GIVA’s jewellery advertisement.
- When
- Kangana’s criticism was reported on Monday, and Kriti responded on Instagram Stories on Tuesday, August 25.
- Where
- The advertisement circulated on social media, while the criticism and responses were posted on Instagram and X.
- Why
- Some viewers objected to the contemporary, revealing styling and questioned the advertisement’s depiction of Raksha Bandhan rituals; Kriti challenged judging cultural respect through women’s clothing.
Critics of the Advertisement
Kriti Sanon’s Position
Festival clothing
Critics of the Advertisement
Kangana Ranaut and some social media users said the bralette-style blouse resembled a bikini, bra or undergarments and was inappropriate for a Raksha Bandhan celebration.
Kriti Sanon’s Position
Kriti said ethnic fashion has evolved and that a woman’s respect for culture should not be measured by her clothes or neckline.
Traditional rituals
Critics of the Advertisement
Some users questioned the absence of items or rituals such as a puja thali and tilak and argued that the advertisement did not properly represent the festival.
Kriti Sanon’s Position
Kriti said the essence of festivals lies in their emotions, meaning and traditions rather than in specific clothing or visual presentation.
Mutual protection and pets
Critics of the Advertisement
Some critics objected to tying a rakhi to a dog and said the portrayal diminished the importance of the sibling celebration.
Kriti Sanon’s Position
Kriti said she and her sister tie rakhi to each other because they can protect each other, and that their dogs are family and included in their prayers.
- Brand
- GIVA jewellery
- Campaign
- “Furever Sibling”
- Outfit
- An ivory or off-white bralette-style or deep-neck blouse with a cape and draped skirt
- Kangana Ranaut’s criticism
- She asked why a rakhi would be tied while wearing a bikini or undergarments and called the advertisement “intentionally creepy.”
- Kriti Sanon’s response
- She said culture and traditions are in a woman’s heart, not her neckline, and asked when people would stop telling women what to wear.
- Sibling tradition
- Kriti said she and Nupur Sanon tie rakhi to each other and pray for each other’s health, happiness and long life.
- Pet inclusion
- Kriti said the sisters’ prayer and promise of protection extends to their dogs because they are family.
- Campaign status
- One report said GIVA withdrew the campaign after the backlash; the other reports focus on the controversy and do not independently confirm its removal.
Sources
After Kangana Ranaut’s dig, Kriti Sanon breaks her silence on Raksha Bandhan ad row - Telegraph India
Kriti Sanon responds after Kangana Ranaut questions her Rakhi ad ‘bikini’ outfit: 'Stop telling women what to wear'
'Traditions are not in her neckline': Kriti Sanon reacts to backlash over Raksha Bandhan ad
'When Will We Stop Telling Women What To Wear?': Did Kriti Sanon React To Kangana Ranaut's 'Bikini' Remark Over Raksha Bandhan Ad?
‘Culture is in the heart’: Kriti Sanon breaks silence on Raksha Bandhan ad backlash
'Cultures Are In Heart, Not Neckline': Kriti Sanon REACTS To Backlash For Wearing Bralette-Style Blouse In Raksha Bandhan Ad
Kriti Sanon’s Rakhi ad pulled down amid backlash: Why a jewellery campaign became a fight over women’s choices
Kriti Sanon Calls Out Moral Policing Over Her Raksha Bandhan Ad Look
