Kriti Sanon’s Rakhi Ad Row: Brand Pulls Campaign, Actress Responds

Kriti Sanon has found herself at the center of an online debate this week, after a jewellery brand’s Raksha Bandhan campaign featuring her sparked heavy criticism on social media. The backlash eventually led to the brand pulling the entire campaign, while Kriti herself stepped in with a strong response of her own. Here’s a full breakdown of what happened About Kriti Sanon’s Rakhi Ad

What Sparked the Controversy

The jewellery brand had launched a new campaign timed around Raksha Bandhan, with Kriti Sanon as the face of it. Shortly after it went live, the ad started drawing attention online — and not in the way the brand had hoped. Within a short span, criticism snowballed into a much larger conversation across social media platforms.

The Outfit at the Center of It All

At the heart of the controversy was the outfit Kriti wore in the ad — an off-white ensemble consisting of a bralette-style blouse, a cape, and a draped skirt. A section of social media users felt the outfit didn’t fit the tone of a family-oriented festival like Raksha Bandhan, and the criticism quickly turned into widespread trolling directed at both the ad and the actress.

Brand Pulls the Campaign

As the backlash intensified, the jewellery brand decided to withdraw the campaign from all media platforms. In an official statement, the brand clarified that hurting anyone’s sentiments was never the intention behind the ad. The decision to pull the campaign entirely reflected the brand’s attempt to respond to the growing public sentiment around it.

Kriti Sanon's Response

Interestingly, a day before the ad was taken down — on August 25 — Kriti Sanon had already addressed the controversy herself in an Instagram post. She wrote that a festival's true meaning doesn't come from clothing, but from the emotions and culture behind it. She also raised a pointed question: how long will women's dignity and cultural identity continue to be judged based on what they wear or how deep a neckline is.

Her response struck a chord with many online, as it directly pushed back against the idea that a woman's choices should be reduced to her outfit alone.

How Kriti Celebrates Raksha Bandhan

Amid the controversy, Kriti also shared a glimpse into how she personally celebrates the festival. She revealed that she and her sister tie rakhis for each other every year — a warm, familial tradition. What stood out further was her mention that this bond extends beyond family members to her pet dogs as well, reflecting what she sees as the real spirit of Raksha Bandhan.

Final Word

The controversy around Kriti Sanon's Raksha Bandhan ad highlights how differently fashion and tradition can be perceived by different sections of society. While the brand chose to pull its campaign in response to public sentiment, Kriti's own response served as a reminder that the essence of a festival lies in emotion, not appearance. Her personal celebration with her sister and her pets adds a heartfelt note to a story that otherwise played out largely online.

FAQs

Q1. Why did the jewellery brand pull its Raksha Bandhan ad? A. The brand withdrew the campaign after facing significant backlash on social media over the outfit worn in the ad, stating that hurting anyone's sentiments was never the intention.

Q2. What outfit caused the controversy in Kriti Sanon's ad? A. Kriti wore an off-white outfit featuring a bralette-style blouse, a cape, and a draped skirt, which some viewers felt was inappropriate for a festival like Raksha Bandhan.

Q3. How did Kriti Sanon respond to the criticism? A. Kriti posted on Instagram saying that a festival's identity comes from emotions and culture, not clothing, and questioned why women continue to be judged by what they wear.

Q4. How does Kriti Sanon celebrate Raksha Bandhan? A. Kriti ties rakhis with her sister every year, and she has shared that this bond extends to her pet dogs as well.

Q5. When did Kriti Sanon post her response? A. She shared her Instagram post on August 25, a day before the brand officially pulled the ad campaign.