Bollywood actress Kriti Sanon is once again making headlines over her much-discussed Raksha Bandhan advertisement for jewellery brand GIVA. The actress's outfit in the campaign had sparked a major debate on social media, with the controversy eventually making its way to prime-time television discussions. Now, Kriti has opened up about the entire episode during an appearance on Kareena Kapoor Khan's show What Women Want Season 6.
In a recently released promo, Kriti can be seen recalling the reaction to her viral Raksha Bandhan advertisement. The actress admitted that she never imagined her blouse would become a topic of discussion on a prime-time news panel.
Kriti Sanon Opens Up About Raksha Bandhan Ad Controversy
During her conversation with Kareena Kapoor Khan, Kriti Sanon looked back at the controversy surrounding the outfit she wore in the Raksha Bandhan campaign.
Kriti expressed her surprise at how far the discussion went. She said she never expected her blouse to become the subject of a six-person panel discussion on prime-time television. Her statement left Kareena visibly surprised as well.
The actress's comments have once again brought attention to the advertisement and the debate that followed its release.
Kriti Had Earlier Responded to the Debate on Social Media
When criticism over the advertisement surfaced, Kriti Sanon had also shared her perspective on social media. The actress questioned the tendency to dictate what women should or should not wear.
She pointed out that ethnic fashion has evolved considerably over the years. However, women's clothing is still frequently linked with ideas of culture, tradition and respect.
Kriti's earlier message emphasized that culture is not simply defined by what a person wears, but also by their thoughts, values and emotions.
Also Read- Vidyut Jammwal Stuns Fans With Intense Meditation Video
What Was Shown in GIVA's Raksha Bandhan Advertisement?
The controversy began after the release of GIVA's Raksha Bandhan campaign featuring Kriti Sanon.
In the advertisement, Kriti appeared in an Indo-Western outfit and was shown celebrating Raksha Bandhan with her brother and pet dog. The campaign attempted to present a contemporary take on the festival.
However, some social media users questioned the choice of Kriti's outfit, arguing that the look did not fit their expectations of a traditional festival advertisement.
The inclusion of her pet dog in the Raksha Bandhan celebration also attracted mixed reactions online, with viewers expressing different opinions about the concept.
From a Rakhi Ad to a Political Debate: When Did Advertising Become a Battlefield for Culture, Identity and Ideology?
What started as a festive jewellery advertisement featuring Kriti Sanon has now moved far beyond advertising.
@kritisanon @KanganaTeam @mayursejpal @ITC_SaurabhP @CPUatOnePercent
The GIVA Raksha Bandhan campaign drew criticism over Kriti’s outfit and the way the festival was portrayed. Kangana Ranaut called the advertisement “intentionally creepy” and questioned why someone would tie a Rakhi while dressed in what she described as a bikini or undergarments. (India Today)
Kriti responded by arguing that culture and tradition are not determined by a woman’s neckline, and questioned why women’s clothing continues to be used as a measure of cultural respect. (The Indian Express)
The debate then moved into the political space, with Rahul Gandhi also weighing in. Eventually, GIVA withdrew the advertisement, saying it respected Indian culture, traditions and festivals and did not intend to hurt sentiments. (Hindustan Times)
For me, the interesting part is not simply whether the advertisement was right or wrong.
It is how quickly a piece of commercial communication can become a conversation about religion, women’s choices, culture, politics and identity.
Perhaps that is the reality of communication today: once something enters the public domain, the audience decides what conversation it belongs to.
Where should we draw the line between cultural sensitivity, personal freedom and political interpretation?
#PanaceaPeople #NewsNowNation #PanaceaEdtech #PanaceaSolarPower
— Gaurav Virendra Agrawal (@GauravVirendraA) August 26, 2026
Why Did Kriti Sanon's Outfit Become a Talking Point?
The discussion surrounding Kriti's outfit quickly grew beyond the advertisement itself. What initially started as a social media debate turned into a broader conversation about clothing, tradition and how women are judged for their fashion choices.
The issue eventually received attention on television news channels, where Kriti's outfit became the subject of prime-time discussions.
Years later, Kriti has revisited the incident on What Women Want Season 6, giving viewers an insight into how unusual the experience was from her perspective.
Which Celebrities Will Appear on What Women Want Season 6?
Kareena Kapoor Khan's What Women Want Season 6 will feature several well-known personalities from the entertainment industry.
Along with Kriti Sanon, the season is expected to feature guests including Pankaj Tripathi, Mira Rajput, Neetu Kapoor, Ali Fazal, Bhavana Pandey, Maheep Kapoor and Guneet Monga.
Kriti's appearance has already caught viewers' attention, particularly because she addresses the controversy surrounding her Raksha Bandhan advertisement.
Why Is Kriti Sanon's Statement Going Viral Again?
Kriti Sanon's comments have attracted renewed attention because the controversy surrounding the Raksha Bandhan campaign had once extended beyond social media.
The debate over her outfit eventually reached television news discussions, turning a fashion-related disagreement into a much larger conversation about women's clothing and cultural expectations.
By speaking about the incident herself on Kareena Kapoor Khan's show, Kriti has brought the old controversy back into the spotlight. Her comments have once again raised questions about how women's fashion choices are discussed publicly and why clothing is often linked so strongly with ideas of culture and respect.
Also Read- Ramayana Set Fire: Blaze Erupts at Ranbir Kapoor Set