Kriti Sanon’s Raksha Bandhan advertisement for jewellery brand GIVA sparked a major discussion on social media, with much of the debate focusing on the actor’s outfit.
The campaign was created around the celebration of Raksha Bandhan and the bond of love and protection. It also featured the brand’s pet jewellery collection and included a pet dog as part of the festive narrative.
However, the conversation surrounding the advertisement soon moved beyond the campaign’s concept. Kriti’s modern ethnic outfit became the focus of widespread criticism, with some social media users questioning whether the look was suitable for a Raksha Bandhan advertisement.
Actress and BJP MP Kangana Ranaut also commented on the controversy, using the terms “bikini” and “undergarment” while expressing her criticism of the campaign.
The debate raised an important question: Was Kriti Sanon actually wearing a bikini or an undergarment—or was her outfit simply a modern ethnic fashion ensemble?
What Exactly Was Kriti Sanon Wearing?
A closer look at Kriti Sanon’s outfit shows that it was styled as a contemporary ethnic or fusion ensemble.
The actor wore a lehenga-style skirt paired with a bralette-style blouse. She completed the look with a lightweight, sheer white shrug or outer layer.
The ensemble combined contemporary styling with traditional Indian clothing elements.
While some people on social media compared the blouse to a bikini top or an undergarment, those descriptions were part of the public criticism surrounding the advertisement.
Based on the overall styling of the campaign, the outfit was presented as modern ethnic wear, not swimwear.
The debate therefore largely centred on how viewers interpreted the design of the blouse and whether they considered such a contemporary fashion choice appropriate for a festival advertisement.
Why Did Kriti Sanon’s Outfit Trigger a Controversy?
The controversy emerged after some social media users expressed their objections to the outfit in the context of Raksha Bandhan.
Critics argued that they did not believe the modern design reflected their expectations of how the festival should be represented in an advertisement.
Others defended Kriti and questioned why an actor’s clothing should determine whether she respects Indian culture or traditions.
The discussion became increasingly intense as users shared different opinions about fashion, cultural traditions and women’s clothing.
The controversy eventually grew beyond the advertisement itself and became part of a wider conversation about whether traditional festivals must always be represented through traditional clothing.
What Was the GIVA Advertisement About?
The campaign was designed around the theme of love, affection and emotional connection during Raksha Bandhan.
The advertisement also promoted GIVA’s pet jewellery collection.
Kriti was shown celebrating the festival with her pet dog before sharing a Raksha Bandhan moment with her brother.
According to the campaign’s concept, the intention was to highlight the affection people share with the pets they consider part of their families.
The advertisement presented the pet as part of the wider celebration of emotional bonds and companionship.
However, as the campaign gained attention, Kriti’s clothing became the central focus of much of the social media reaction.
What Did GIVA Say After Removing the Advertisement?
As the controversy grew, jewellery brand GIVA removed the advertisement from its social media and other platforms.
The company issued a statement explaining its position.
GIVA said it respects Indian culture, customs and festivals. According to the brand, the purpose of the campaign was to celebrate the joy and affection associated with Raksha Bandhan while also recognising the special place that pets hold in many families.
The company said it had not intended to hurt anyone’s sentiments.
Following the controversy, GIVA removed the campaign from its official platforms.
The brand’s response became an important part of the wider discussion surrounding the advertisement and the reaction it received online.
What Did Kangana Ranaut Say?
Actress and BJP MP Kangana Ranaut also expressed her views on the advertisement during the controversy.
Kangana questioned the choice of outfit and reportedly used the terms “bikini” and “undergarment” while commenting on the campaign.
Her remarks added further attention to the social media debate surrounding Kriti’s look.
The comments also resulted in a broader discussion about celebrity opinions, cultural representation and the expectations placed on women in public life.
It is important, however, to distinguish between a critic’s description of an outfit and the actual styling of the garment.
The campaign featured Kriti in a contemporary ethnic ensemble consisting of a lehenga-style skirt, a bralette-style blouse and a sheer white outer layer.
How Did Kriti Sanon Respond to the Criticism?
Kriti Sanon later addressed the discussion surrounding the advertisement.
Responding to criticism on social media, the actor emphasised that the spirit of a festival is not defined solely by clothing.
According to Kriti, the meaning of Raksha Bandhan lies in the love, support and emotional connection shared between people.
She also shared a personal perspective on how she celebrates the festival.
Kriti said that she and her sister, Nupur Sanon, tie rakhi to each other and pray for one another’s health, happiness and long life.
The actor described Raksha Bandhan as a celebration of mutual care and support.
Kriti on Her Bond With Her Pets
Kriti also explained why pets were included in the campaign’s message.
She pointed out that pets are considered members of many families and receive the same affection and care as other loved ones.
For Kriti, the idea of including a pet in the Raksha Bandhan campaign reflected this sense of emotional connection.
The advertisement therefore attempted to expand the conversation around the festival by including the love people share with animals that are part of their everyday family lives.
Fashion, Festivals and the Larger Social Media Debate
The controversy surrounding the GIVA campaign eventually became about much more than one advertisement.
It led to broader conversations about:
- women’s clothing and personal freedom;
- modern fashion and cultural traditions;
- the representation of Indian festivals in advertising;
- celebrity responsibility;
- public criticism on social media; and
- changing interpretations of cultural celebrations.
For some people, traditional clothing and familiar rituals are essential to the visual representation of festivals.
For others, cultural identity and emotional connection are not determined by an outfit.
The contrasting reactions to Kriti’s advertisement reflected these different perspectives.
Was It a Bikini, Undergarment or Something Else?
The outfit was styled as modern ethnic or fusion wear.
It included a lehenga-style skirt, a fitted bralette-style blouse and a lightweight, sheer white shrug.
Although critics used terms such as “bikini” and “undergarment” while discussing the advertisement, those descriptions were expressions of criticism and should not automatically be treated as the factual classification of the complete outfit.
The campaign’s styling combined contemporary fashion with Indian ethnic wear.
Why the Debate Matters
The controversy shows how quickly fashion choices can become part of a much larger social and cultural conversation.
A campaign intended to celebrate Raksha Bandhan and promote a jewellery collection ultimately sparked discussions about tradition, modernity, advertising and women’s freedom to dress according to their personal choices.
The reactions also highlighted the different ways audiences interpret cultural symbols in commercial campaigns.
For some viewers, a festival advertisement should closely reflect traditional customs and visual styles.
For others, festivals can evolve and be celebrated in ways that reflect contemporary lifestyles.
The Final Takeaway
Kriti Sanon’s outfit in the GIVA Raksha Bandhan advertisement was a modern ethnic ensemble featuring a lehenga-style skirt, a bralette-style blouse and a sheer white outer layer.
It was not presented as swimwear, although some critics compared the design of the blouse to a bikini or an undergarment during the controversy.
GIVA later removed the advertisement and stated that it respected Indian culture, customs and festivals and had not intended to hurt anyone’s sentiments.
Kriti, meanwhile, argued that the true meaning of Raksha Bandhan lies in love, support and the relationships people share with one another—and, in her view, with the pets considered part of their families.
The controversy ultimately became a broader debate about fashion, tradition and how cultural celebrations are represented in contemporary advertising.
