- Kriti Sanon shared a pointed post addressing victim blaming.
- Her message came after backlash over a Raksha Bandhan ad.
- The jewellery brand later removed the controversial advertisement.
- Kangana Ranaut criticised the styling without naming Kriti.
- Kriti said culture and tradition do not reside in clothing.
Bollywood actress Kriti Sanon has responded to the backlash surrounding her Raksha Bandhan advertisement with a pointed message about victim blaming, shifting the conversation from festive fashion to the much larger question of how women are judged for what they wear.
The post came days after jewellery brand Jiva removed an advertisement featuring Kriti following criticism of her outfit. The actress had appeared in an ivory Indo-Western ensemble consisting of a bralette-style blouse, cape and draped skirt.
The look drew criticism from some social media users, who questioned whether the modern styling was appropriate for Raksha Bandhan, a festival associated with family, tradition and the bond between siblings.
Rather than continuing the discussion around the outfit itself, Kriti shared a quote on her Instagram Story that directly challenged the idea that a woman's clothing can be blamed for sexual harassment.
A screenshot of Kriti Sanon's Instagram story.Instagram/@kritisanon
A burqa and a diaper
Kriti reposted a quote by Darshan Mondkar that read:
“'Was it my fault?' asked the short skirt. 'No, it happened to me too,' replied the burqa. The nappy lying in the corner could not even speak.”
The message uses three very different examples — a short skirt, a burqa and a baby's diaper — to challenge the argument that women's clothing contributes to sexual violence.
The timing of Kriti's post made it particularly pointed, coming after days of public discussion about what women should or should not wear during a traditional festival.
Where the controversy started
The controversy began with Jiva's Raksha Bandhan campaign featuring Kriti.
The actress wore an ivory outfit that combined contemporary and traditional elements. While the advertisement was presented as a festive fashion campaign, some users objected to the styling and described it as unsuitable for the occasion.
The brand subsequently removed the advertisement.
The backlash then expanded beyond the advertisement itself, becoming a wider discussion about women's clothing, cultural expectations and how female celebrities are scrutinised for their appearance.
Kangana Ranaut enters the debate
Actress Kangana Ranaut also weighed in, although she did not name Kriti directly.
"This is a wonderful time to be a woman. Our wardrobes are filled with all kinds of clothes, and today's woman is a global woman. From cocktail dresses to lehenga cholis, jeans to sarees, bikinis to salwar kameez, we have so many options to wear today. So why would you tie a rakhi to your brother while wearing a bikini or underwear? Where are the many styling options available to you? Ha ha, this advertisement seems to have been deliberately made bizarre," she wrote.
Her comments added another layer to an already heated conversation over whether certain clothes are appropriate for traditional celebrations.
Kriti answers back
Kriti later addressed the issue in an official statement, arguing that festivals should not be reduced to questions about clothing.
"Festivals are not about the clothes you wear, but about the feelings you hold for traditions and what they mean.
"Raksha Bandhan is a festival celebrating the bond of protection. My sister and I tie rakhi to each other. We know that we can protect each other just as much as a brother can. When will we stop telling women what they should wear? Ethnic fashion has changed over time, but even today, a woman's respect for her culture is measured only by her clothes. Culture and traditions reside in her heart, not in her neckline."
Her response moves the debate beyond the advertisement itself. For Kriti, the issue is not simply whether a particular outfit fits a festival. It is about the continuing expectation that women must prove their respect for culture through their appearance.
Her latest post takes that argument even further, connecting the clothing debate with the broader issue of victim blaming and the ways women are judged based on what they wear.
