Kriti Sanon has addressed the controversy surrounding her Raksha Bandhan advertisement, revealing in the trailer for Kareena Kapoor Khan’s What Women Want Season 6 that she was stunned to see her outfit become the subject of prime-time television debates. Speaking to Kareena, Kriti recalled the backlash over the campaign and said, “I couldn’t believe when my choli had become like a six-person panel discussion on prime-time news.”
The controversy erupted after jewellery brand GIVA released a Raksha Bandhan campaign featuring Kriti celebrating the festival with her brother and pet dog. She wore an off-white bralette-style blouse with a cape and draped skirt in the advertisement. The campaign’s contemporary presentation drew criticism from some viewers, who questioned the outfit and the inclusion of the pet in the Raksha Bandhan celebrations.
The advertisement was subsequently taken down following the backlash on social media. Critics objected to what they considered an inappropriate outfit for a traditional festival and also questioned the campaign’s portrayal of Raksha Bandhan. The controversy gained wider attention as discussions shifted from the advertisement itself to questions about women’s clothing, cultural traditions and how female celebrities are judged for their appearance.
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Kriti later responded to the criticism on Instagram, saying that the meaning of festivals should not be determined by clothing. She said Raksha Bandhan represented a bond of protection and explained that she and her sister also tie rakhis to each other. Kriti added that their affection and prayers extended to their dogs because they considered them part of the family, while questioning why women continued to be told what they should wear.
The actor’s comments on What Women Want came as she discussed the controversy with Kareena. At the end of the trailer, when asked what women really want, Kriti replied, “To not be judged, and people should mind their business.” The show’s upcoming season will also feature several other guests, including Ali Fazal, Neha Kakkar, Maheep Kapoor, Bhavna Pandey, Micky Contractor and Mira Rajput.
GIVA founder Ishendra Agarwal had earlier said the company continued to stand by the campaign’s message despite removing the advertisement. He said the decision was primarily taken to protect the brand’s employees and stores amid the controversy. Kriti, meanwhile, was last seen in the romantic comedy-drama Cocktail 2, in which she starred alongside Shahid Kapoor and Rashmika Mandanna.
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