A 2017 advertisement featuring Kangana Ranaut has gone viral as social media users compare it with her recent criticism of Kriti Sanon’s Raksha Bandhan campaign
The controversy surrounding Kriti Sanon’s Raksha Bandhan advertisement has taken another turn after an old promotional campaign featuring Kangana Ranaut resurfaced on social media.
Kriti recently faced criticism from some social media users over her outfit in a Raksha Bandhan advertisement. The actress was seen wearing a modern bralette-style top, which triggered a debate about clothing, tradition and the representation of Indian festivals in advertising.
Actress and BJP MP Kangana Ranaut also publicly expressed her views on the campaign. As the controversy grew, the jewellery brand associated with the advertisement removed the promotional material.
However, an old Raksha Bandhan advertisement featuring Kangana Ranaut, reportedly from 2017, has now begun circulating widely on social media. In the older campaign, Kangana was seen wearing a strapless outfit, prompting some users to compare the two situations and question her recent criticism of Kriti’s advertisement.
The resurfaced advertisement has added a new dimension to the ongoing online debate.
Kangana’s 2017 Raksha Bandhan Ad Goes Viral
The old advertisement reportedly dates back to 2017 and was previously shared by Kangana Ranaut on the social media platform X, then known as Twitter.
After the campaign resurfaced, social media users began drawing comparisons between Kangana’s appearance in the earlier advertisement and her more recent comments about Kriti Sanon’s Raksha Bandhan campaign.
Some users questioned whether there was an inconsistency between the two situations, while others defended Kangana and argued that her objection to Kriti’s advertisement was not limited to the actress’s clothing.
The discussion quickly expanded beyond the original advertisement and became part of a wider conversation about fashion, tradition, public criticism and perceived double standards in the entertainment industry.
Why Was Kriti Sanon’s Raksha Bandhan Ad Criticised?
Kriti Sanon appeared in a Raksha Bandhan advertisement that drew criticism from some sections of social media.
The actress’s outfit, described by critics as a bralette-style top paired with a modern festive look, became one of the main subjects of the controversy.
Some social media users argued that the clothing did not reflect their expectations of traditional Raksha Bandhan celebrations. Others strongly disagreed and defended Kriti’s right to wear what she chooses.
The debate highlighted a recurring issue in celebrity culture: whether an actress’s clothing should be used as a measure of her connection to tradition or cultural values.
As the online discussion intensified, the brand eventually removed the advertisement.
What Did Kangana Ranaut Say About Kriti’s Advertisement?
Kangana Ranaut criticised the advertisement during the controversy, but she later clarified in an interview that, according to her, the actress’s bralette-style outfit was not the only reason for her objection.
In a reported interview with DD News, Kangana said her concerns also related to the broader presentation of Raksha Bandhan in the campaign.
She reportedly argued that the advertisement did not include several elements that she associated with traditional festival celebrations, including family settings and customary rituals.
Her comments suggested that her criticism was directed at what she viewed as the overall depiction of the festival rather than clothing alone.
However, the resurfacing of Kangana’s own older Raksha Bandhan advertisement led some social media users to question whether her earlier appearance was consistent with her recent position.
Netizens Question Kangana’s Stance
After Kangana’s old advertisement began circulating again, several users posted comparisons between the two campaigns.
Some questioned why Kriti’s clothing had become controversial while Kangana’s appearance in a strapless outfit in an earlier Raksha Bandhan advertisement had not attracted the same criticism.
The discussion generated strong opinions on both sides.
One group of users argued that the criticism directed at Kriti reflected a double standard in how women in the public eye are judged for their clothing.
Others maintained that Kangana’s stated objections were focused on the overall creative representation of the festival and not simply on Kriti’s outfit.
The online debate therefore moved beyond a comparison between two actresses and into a broader discussion about cultural representation, personal choice and the scrutiny faced by women in public life.
How Did Kriti Sanon Respond to the Controversy?
Kriti Sanon later addressed the debate through an Instagram Story.
The actress argued that the true spirit of a festival should not be measured solely by clothing. According to her, traditions and cultural values are expressed through emotions, relationships and the meaning people attach to celebrations.
Kriti also spoke about her own experience of Raksha Bandhan, explaining that she does not have a brother and shares a close bond with her sister, Nupur.
Her comments highlighted the idea that festivals can be celebrated in different ways while retaining their personal and emotional significance.
Kriti also questioned the tendency to judge women based on what they wear.
Kriti on Clothing and Cultural Identity
In her response, Kriti argued that fashion changes over time but a person’s respect for culture should not be judged exclusively by their appearance.
The actress’s comments resonated with many users who argued that traditional values and modern fashion do not necessarily have to be in conflict.
For Kriti, the discussion appeared to be about a larger principle: that women should not constantly be told what they can or cannot wear.
Her response shifted the conversation from one particular advertisement to the wider issue of personal freedom and the way women are often judged publicly for their clothing choices.
The Debate Over Tradition and Fashion
The controversy involving Kriti Sanon and Kangana Ranaut has revived a familiar debate in Indian popular culture.
Can modern fashion coexist with traditional festivals?
For many people, the answer is yes. Festivals evolve with changing lifestyles, and individuals celebrate them in ways that reflect their personal circumstances.
For others, maintaining familiar symbols and customs is an important part of preserving the cultural identity of a festival.
Neither discussion is necessarily limited to clothing. The broader question is how traditions are represented in modern advertising, cinema and celebrity culture.
The debate becomes more complicated when public figures are involved, as their choices are often examined by millions of people on social media.
Why Kangana’s Old Ad Has Renewed the Controversy
The resurfaced 2017 advertisement has become a focal point for critics who believe Kangana’s earlier appearance contrasts with the criticism directed at Kriti.
Some social media users have described this as a possible double standard, while others have pointed to Kangana’s explanation that her concerns involved the overall presentation of the Raksha Bandhan advertisement.
As of the information available for this article, the renewed criticism over the old advertisement has generated significant discussion online.
Whether Kangana responds further to the social media debate may determine the next stage of the conversation.
A Larger Conversation About Women and Clothing
The controversy has ultimately become part of a larger discussion about the public scrutiny of women’s clothing.
Kriti’s response emphasised the argument that culture and personal values cannot be measured solely by an outfit.
The debate also demonstrates how quickly a celebrity controversy can evolve on social media. A discussion that began with one advertisement has now expanded to include older campaigns, political commentary, cultural expectations and questions about perceived consistency.
As social media users continue to compare the two situations, the discussion remains divided between those who support greater traditional representation in festival advertising and those who believe modern clothing should not determine how a person’s respect for culture is judged.
For now, the old Kangana Ranaut advertisement has added a new layer to the ongoing conversation surrounding Kriti Sanon’s Raksha Bandhan campaign.
