Kriti Sanon pet dog Rakhi .Kangana Ranaut criticised the campaign, Kriti Sanon defended her choice and Rahul Gandhi backed the actor; GIVA later withdrew the advertisement citing respect for Indian culture and sentiments
India Prime Tv Entertainment Desk Mumbai: The controversy surrounding actress Kriti Sanon’s Raksha Bandhan advertisement for jewellery brand GIVA has taken a new turn. GIVA has officially withdrawn the campaign from all media platforms following growing criticism on social media.
Kriti Sanon pet dog Rakhi
What Was Shown in the GIVA Advertisement?
The Raksha Bandhan campaign featured Kriti Sanon tying a rakhi to her brother. The advertisement also showed her tying a rakhi to her pet dog, a sequence that triggered mixed reactions online.
Sanon was seen wearing an off-white Indo-Western outfit featuring a bralette-style blouse, cape and draped skirt. Some social media users questioned whether the styling was appropriate for a traditional festival such as Raksha Bandhan.
At the same time, others defended the campaign, arguing that pets are increasingly considered part of modern families and that the advertisement was attempting to present the festival through a contemporary lens.
Kangana Ranaut Criticises the Campaign
The controversy intensified after actor and BJP MP Kangana Ranaut criticised the advertisement and questioned Kriti Sanon’s styling.
Her remarks further fuelled a wider online debate about fashion, cultural traditions, women’s choices and the modern representation of Indian festivals in advertising.
Kriti Sanon Responds to the Backlash
Kriti Sanon later responded to the criticism through social media.
She argued that the essence of festivals lies in the emotions and meaning attached to traditions rather than in what a woman wears. She also explained that her pets are considered family and that the campaign extended the idea of protection and family bonding to them.
Sanon also questioned the practice of judging a woman’s cultural values through her clothing.
Rahul Gandhi Backs Kriti Sanon
The controversy subsequently entered the political sphere.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi publicly supported Kriti Sanon, emphasising that a woman’s clothing and personal choices should not become a target for online trolling.
The controversy had by then expanded beyond a commercial campaign into a broader debate about personal freedom, cultural expectations and representation.
Why Did GIVA Withdraw the Advertisement?
GIVA has now withdrawn the Raksha Bandhan advertisement from all media platforms.
In its statement, the jewellery brand said it has deep respect for Indian culture, traditions and festivals. The company explained that its intention was to celebrate festive occasions with the entire family and, on this occasion, extend that sentiment to pets as well.
GIVA said that if the advertisement had inadvertently hurt the sentiments of any section of society, that was not its intention. The company subsequently decided to withdraw the advertisement out of respect for those sentiments.
A Jewellery Ad That Became a Wider Cultural Debate
What started as a festive jewellery advertisement has now triggered a broader discussion around several questions:
Should traditional Indian festivals be presented through modern advertising concepts?
Can pets be included in the emotional symbolism of festivals such as Raksha Bandhan?
And most importantly—
Should a woman’s clothing be used as a measure of her respect for culture and tradition?
The debate continues to divide opinions online.
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GIVA-Kriti Sanon Controversy: Timeline
August 17: GIVA’s Raksha Bandhan campaign featuring Kriti Sanon was released.
Following the release: Social media users debated the actor’s outfit and the scene involving her pet dog.
August 24-25: Kangana Ranaut criticised the campaign, while Kriti Sanon responded to the backlash.
August 25: Rahul Gandhi publicly supported Sanon.
August 26: GIVA announced that it had withdrawn the advertisement from all media platforms.
What Do You Think?
Was GIVA right to withdraw the advertisement?
Or should brands stand by their creative concepts despite social media criticism?
Share your views in the comments.
