Kriti Sanon defended her Raksha Bandhan jewellery ad after Kangana Ranaut criticised her “underwear-type” outfit and the inclusion of her pet dog in the ritual. In an Instagram note, Sanon argued that festivals are about emotion, not dress codes, stressing that culture lives “in the heart, not in the neckline,” and questioning why women’s clothing is constantly policed.
Actor Kriti Sanon has pushed back against online criticism of her latest festive advertisement after fellow actor Kangana Ranaut publicly slammed the campaign and other social media users took issue with both Sanon's outfit and the ad's inclusion of a pet dog in the Raksha Bandhan celebrations.
The jewellery ad shows Sanon, 36, marking the festival — which centres on the bond between siblings — in an off-white bralette-style blouse, cape and draped skirt, giving the occasion a modern styling twist. It also features a pet dog, who appears barking in one sequence before she ties a rakhi around the animal, framing it as a family member included in the ritual.
On Monday, Kagana Ranaut expressed her opinion through an Instagram story about how she was surprised at why Kriti opted for "underwear-type clothes" for the ceremony when there were so many other types of clothes that she could have worn.
She cited different kinds of clothing that women could wear today, including cocktail dresses, lehenga cholis, jeans, saris, bikinis, and even salwar kameez, and wondered why someone would tie the rakhi to her brother while she is "wearing your bikini/underwear".
Later, Sanon addressed the broader backlash via a note posted on her Instagram story, arguing that a festival's meaning lies in sentiment rather than dress code. "Culture & traditions are in her heart, not in her neckline," she wrote, adding a folded-hands emoji.
She elaborated on what Raksha Bandhan represents for her: "The essence of festivals is not in the clothes you wear; it is in the emotions and meaning you hold for the traditions. Rakshabandhan is a bond of protection. My sister and I tie rakhis to each other. We know we can protect each other no less than a brother would have."
Kriti added that she and her sister pray each year for one another's health and happiness, a promise she said extends to their dogs too. "After all, they are family!"
She also questioned the broader scrutiny placed on women's clothing during cultural occasions: "When will we stop telling women what to wear?? ... Culture & traditions are in her heart, not in her neckline!"