NEW DELHI — Actor and Member of Parliament Kangana Ranaut has publicly criticized fellow actor Kriti Sanon over her wardrobe choice in a recently released festive commercial. The advertisement, created for a jewellery brand ahead of Raksha Bandhan, has ignited widespread discussion across social media platforms regarding festive styling and cultural representation.
The promotional campaign features Sanon celebrating the sibling-centric festival dressed in an Indo-Western outfit consisting of an ivory bralette-style blouse, a sheer cape, and a draped skirt. Several viewers took to social media to question whether the modern silhouette suited the context of a traditional festival, pointing out the absence of customary festive elements such as traditional attire, ceremonial thalis, and tilak rituals.
Ranaut joined the public debate by posting a statement on her Instagram Stories. She remarked on the wide variety of sartorial options available to modern women, including cocktail dresses, lehengas, jeans, sarees, and salwar suits, before questioning why one would opt for an undergarment-inspired look while tying a rakhi. Ranaut further labeled the creative direction of the commercial as intentionally uncomfortable.
The controversy has drawn mixed reactions online, with some users supporting the critique around traditional decorum, while others view the ensemble as a standard contemporary fashion choice for commercial media. Sanon has not released an official public response to the ongoing discussion.
On the professional front, Sanon was recently featured in the film Cocktail 2 alongside Shahid Kapoor and Rashmika Mandanna, directed by Homi Adajania. Ranaut was last seen on screen in the drama Bharat Bhagya Vidhaata, which centres on the unsung heroes of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks.
