Archive · 27 Aug 2026
Kangana, Kriti Clash Over Cultural Meaning of Raksha Bandhan Ad
GIVA made a Raksha Bandhan jewellery advertisement featuring Kriti Sanon.
She wore a modern Indo-Western outfit while giving Rakhi bracelets to her brother and her dog.
Kangana Ranaut criticized the advertisement and said it did not show enough traditional parts of the festival.
She said the outfit itself was only a small part of her concern.
Kriti replied that culture is about feelings and traditions, not just clothes.
Rahul Gandhi supported Kriti and said women should be free to choose their clothing and lifestyle.
Kangana disagreed and said festivals should visibly express the culture behind them.
The argument spread through public and online comments.
GIVA later removed the advertisement after criticism.
Kangana Ranaut said GIVA’s Raksha Bandhan advertisement was criticized for lacking visible traditional elements, not simply because of Kriti Sanon’s outfit.
Kriti Sanon said festival meaning and cultural traditions are held in the heart rather than determined by a woman’s neckline or clothing.
Rahul Gandhi backed Kriti and said women should not be trolled or policed over what they wear, do or where they go.
Kangana argued that festivals are aesthetic expressions of culture and should visibly include elements such as family, tilak, prayers and customary foods.
GIVA withdrew the advertisement after backlash, saying it respected Indian culture, traditions and public sentiment.
- Who
- Kangana Ranaut, Kriti Sanon, Rahul Gandhi, jewellery brand GIVA and Congress representative Supriya Shrinate were involved in the public debate.
- What
- A dispute developed over GIVA’s Raksha Bandhan advertisement, its modern clothing and its representation of festival traditions.
- When
- The controversy followed the campaign’s release; GIVA withdrew the advertisement on a Wednesday, while the articles do not provide a precise year or date for the interview.
- Where
- The dispute unfolded through the advertisement, Instagram, X and other public online discussion in India.
- Why
- Kangana said the campaign lacked recognizable traditional elements, while Kriti and Rahul Gandhi defended cultural expression, clothing choice and women’s freedom.
Traditional Festival Representation
Personal Freedom and Modern Expression
How festivals should be represented
Traditional Festival Representation
Kangana Ranaut said Raksha Bandhan is a religious expression of a civilization and should visibly include recognizable elements such as family, tilak, religious symbols, prayers and customary foods.
Personal Freedom and Modern Expression
Kriti Sanon said culture and traditions are held in the heart and expressed through emotions, meaning and promises, rather than being judged through clothing.
Women’s clothing
Traditional Festival Representation
Kangana said the bralette was not the main issue, but argued that the advertisement’s overall aesthetic failed to represent the festival adequately.
Personal Freedom and Modern Expression
Kriti Sanon said women should not be told what to wear, while Rahul Gandhi said women’s clothing and lifestyles should not be policed or used as grounds for trolling.
Advertisement withdrawal
Traditional Festival Representation
Critics viewed GIVA’s withdrawal as a response to concerns about Indian culture, traditions and public sentiment.
Personal Freedom and Modern Expression
Supporters of Kriti’s position viewed the backlash as criticism of a woman’s appearance and a challenge to creative and personal freedom.
- Brand
- GIVA
- Festival
- Raksha Bandhan
- Advertisement feature
- Kriti Sanon wore an Indo-Western bralette-style blouse, cape and draped skirt.
- Advertisement scene
- The ad showed Sanon giving gold Rakhi bracelets to her brother and her Golden Retriever.
- Kangana Ranaut’s position
- She said the campaign needed stronger aesthetic expression of traditional culture, including elements such as family, tilak, prayers and customary foods.
- Kriti Sanon’s response
- She said the essence of festivals lies in emotions and traditions, not in clothing or a neckline.
- Outcome
- GIVA withdrew the advertisement from all media, citing respect for Indian culture, traditions and public sentiment.
