Bollywood actress Kriti Sanon has addressed the intense public storm triggered by a festive commercial that had sparked widespread debate across the country. Speaking during an appearance on the sixth season of Kareena Kapoor Khan's talk show What Women Want, Sanon shared that she was utterly stunned by the scale of the backlash directed at her outfit, having never imagined that her attire would turn into a matter of intense public examination.
How a Festive Outfit Reached Prime Time Television
While discussing the aftermath of the incident with host Kareena Kapoor Khan, Kriti Sanon recalled her disbelief at the extreme reactions the commercial invited. Reflecting on the televised debates, she noted, “मेरी चोली प्राइम टाइम न्यूज पर 6 लोगों के पैनल डिस्कशन का मुद्दा बन गई थी।” She explained that witnessing her personal wardrobe choice become the subject of an elaborate multi-member television panel felt completely surreal and shocking, given the trivial nature of the underlying matter.
The Zivame Commercial and Celebration Depiction
The controversy originated from a promotional campaign launched by Zivame on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan. In the commercial, Kriti Sanon was seen dressed in an Indo-Western outfit while celebrating the festival by tying a rakhi to her brother as well as her pet dog. Soon after the clip began circulating online, sections of social media users took severe exception to the presentation. Critics argued that her choice of clothing was inappropriate for an auspicious cultural event, while others raised strong objections against tying a rakhi to a pet dog, claiming it diminished traditional ceremonial norms.
Mounting Criticism, Withdrawal, and Personal Autonomy
As the coordinated online backlash escalated, the brand eventually decided to retract the advertisement altogether to stem further criticism. During the height of the controversy, Kriti Sanon had publicly voiced her perspective on social media platforms, maintaining that what a woman chooses to wear is strictly a personal matter and should never be subjected to collective judgment or public debate. Looking back at the incident on the talk show, the actress reiterated the sheer disbelief she felt when a routine commercial evolved into a full-scale cultural disagreement.
