Archive · 31 Aug 2026
Kareena Dodges Kriti Ad Debate as Meghna Gulzar Responds
Kareena Kapoor Khan was asked whether she has rules about what she wears in films.
The question came after criticism of Kriti Sanon’s outfit in a festival advertisement.
Kareena did not answer directly, and filmmaker Meghna Gulzar responded.
Meghna said actors dress according to their characters and the director’s plan.
Some people thought Kriti’s outfit was not suitable for Raksha Bandhan.
Kriti said festivals are about feelings and family, not only clothing.
She also said women should not always be told what to wear.
GIVA removed the advertisement after problems arose around some of its stores.
The company said it still believed in the advertisement’s message.
Kareena Kapoor Khan was asked about clothing limits during the Daayra trailer launch.
Filmmaker Meghna Gulzar said an actor’s clothing depends on the character and director’s vision.
The controversy involved Kriti Sanon’s outfit in GIVA’s Raksha Bandhan advertisement.
Kriti defended the campaign, saying cultural respect is not determined by a woman’s clothes.
GIVA removed the advertisement after store-related tensions, while saying it still supported the campaign’s message.
- Who
- Kareena Kapoor Khan, Meghna Gulzar, Kriti Sanon, GIVA, and GIVA founder Ishendra Agarwal.
- What
- Kareena was questioned about clothing limits amid backlash over Kriti Sanon’s Raksha Bandhan advertisement outfit.
- When
- The question was asked at the Daayra trailer launch; Ishendra Agarwal issued GIVA’s clarification on Saturday.
- Why
- The question arose because social media users and Kangana Ranaut criticised Kriti’s outfit, while Kriti defended it as a personal and contemporary expression of tradition.
Critics and Traditionalists
Kriti Sanon and Campaign Supporters
Appropriate festival clothing
Critics and Traditionalists
Critics, including Kangana Ranaut and some social media users, argued that Kriti’s outfit was inappropriate for Raksha Bandhan and its family and cultural associations.
Kriti Sanon and Campaign Supporters
Kriti said a person’s respect for culture should not be measured by clothing, adding that traditions are about emotions, family, and meaning.
Meaning of the advertisement
Critics and Traditionalists
Critics objected to the advertisement’s presentation of the festival, particularly Kriti’s outfit and the choice to tie a rakhi to a dog.
Kriti Sanon and Campaign Supporters
Kriti said Raksha Bandhan represents mutual protection and that she and her sister extend their family’s prayers and promises to their dogs.
Removing the campaign
Critics and Traditionalists
GIVA withdrew the advertisement after tensions around some stores created what the company described as an unsafe environment for its on-ground teams.
Kriti Sanon and Campaign Supporters
GIVA said removing the campaign did not mean it had abandoned the advertisement’s message and that its belief in the campaign’s intent remained unchanged.
- Film event
- The question was asked during the trailer launch of Kareena Kapoor Khan’s upcoming film Daayra.
- Advertisement brand
- GIVA released the Raksha Bandhan advertisement featuring Kriti Sanon.
- Advertisement concept
- Kriti was shown celebrating Raksha Bandhan with her brother and tying a rakhi to a pet dog.
- Criticism
- Some social media users and Kangana Ranaut criticised Kriti’s outfit as inappropriate for the festival.
- Kriti’s response
- Kriti said culture and tradition are held in the heart and should not be judged only by a woman’s neckline or clothing.
- GIVA’s action
- GIVA removed the advertisement after the situation around some stores escalated.
- GIVA’s explanation
- Founder Ishendra Agarwal said the brand removed the campaign to protect its employees and stores, while maintaining its belief in the campaign’s intent.