Bollywood actress Kriti Sanon has landed in the middle of a major social media controversy. She recently appeared in a promotional jewelry commercial themed around Raksha Bandhan, but the campaign quickly drew immense flak from internet users over her choice of clothing and certain creative elements in the video clip, igniting a widespread debate online.
Outfits and Festive Theme Draw Public Ire
In the disputed jewelry brand commercial, Kriti Sanon is seen wearing a bralette-style blouse paired with a cape and a draped skirt. Almost immediately after the ad film went public, social media users began questioning her sartorial choices. Many critics argued that such modern and revealing attire feels entirely out of place in a promotional campaign centered on a traditional and sacred festival like Raksha Bandhan.
The backlash soon took a comparative turn on digital platforms. One user posted a critical comment questioning whether any jewelry brand would ever dare to produce such an ad themed around a festival belonging to a different religion. Several other comments echoed similar sentiments, challenging the appropriateness of the wardrobe decisions made for the festive campaign.
Controversy Over Tying Rakhi to a Dog
The criticism was not limited to the attire alone, as another specific sequence within the advertisement triggered severe annoyance among viewers. The video features a dog alongside Kriti. According to the sequence, the dog initially barks at her, and subsequently, she proceeds to tie a rakhi around its paw or neck area.
A section of the audience strongly objected to integrating a canine into the core narrative of Raksha Bandhan rituals. Detractors claimed that incorporating a pet dog into a rakhi-tying scene hurts religious sentiments and disrespects the traditional values associated with the festival, fueling further condemnation across social media networks.
Supporters Stand Up for the Actress Amid Trolling
Amidst the heavy wave of trolling and negative commentary, counter-voices have also emerged in support of the actress. A segment of social media users stepped forward to defend Kriti, arguing that women should never be judged or harassed based on what they choose to wear. Supporters maintained that it is merely a commercial advertisement and that dragging an artist into unnecessary controversy over wardrobe choices is unwarranted.
