Kriti Sanon has once again found herself at the centre of a social media debate, this time over her outfit in a Raksha Bandhan advertisement for a jewellery brand. The actor was criticised by some social media users, who questioned whether her outfit was appropriate for a festival that is deeply connected with Indian culture and traditions.
The controversy began after Kriti appeared in the advertisement wearing a stylish blouse with a cape-style drape while celebrating Raksha Bandhan on screen. In the campaign, she was seen tying a Rakhi to her on-screen brother. However, some users focused more on her outfit than the emotion behind the festival and questioned her choice of clothing.
Kriti has now responded to the criticism and addressed the debate around women’s clothing, culture and traditions. Sharing her thoughts, she questioned why women are constantly told what they should or should not wear, especially during festivals.
Kriti said that “the true spirit of the festival isn’t in the cloth you wear, it is the emotion and meaning you hold for the tradition.” She further explained that Raksha Bandhan represents the bond of protection and that she and her sister also tie Rakhi to each other because they know they can protect one another just as much as a brother would.
She also shared that the festival is about praying for each other’s health, happiness and long life because, at the end of the day, they are family. According to Kriti, the meaning of a festival should not be reduced to the clothes a woman chooses to wear.
The actor also questioned the constant focus on women’s outfits and said that it is time to stop telling women what they should wear. Her statement has now sparked another discussion about whether traditional festivals should have specific dress expectations or whether the emotion behind the celebration matters more.
The controversy became even bigger after another social media post highlighted the wide variety of clothing women wear. The argument was that women can confidently wear everything from cocktail dresses and lehengas to jeans, sarees and salwar kameez, depending on the occasion and their personal choice.
At the same time, critics questioned whether every outfit is appropriate for every occasion. Some users felt that festivals such as Raksha Bandhan have a traditional and cultural significance, and celebrities appearing in advertisements should consider that while choosing their styling.
The debate has therefore turned into a larger conversation about culture, tradition, fashion and personal freedom. While some people believe that traditional occasions deserve traditional clothing, others feel that culture cannot be measured simply by the neckline, length or style of someone’s outfit.
Kriti has also faced criticism recently over her fashion choices and appearance, with some social media users commenting on her clothes and body. However, her latest response makes it clear that she does not believe a woman’s clothing should determine how much she respects a particular festival or tradition.
The bigger question is whether society should continue judging women based on what they wear or focus on the meaning behind their actions. Raksha Bandhan is ultimately about the bond between siblings, love, protection and family, and Kriti appears to believe that these emotions are more important than the outfit worn while celebrating the festival.
What do you think? Was Kriti Sanon right to respond to the backlash, or do you feel traditional festivals should have certain expectations when it comes to clothing and presentation?
