Kangana Ranaut's 'traditional' Rakhi celebration grabs attention amid Kriti-GIVA row

Kangana took to Instagram to share a picture of herself applying tika on her brother's forehead as the family celebrated the festival.

In the caption, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP wrote, "Mere pyaare Bhai. Main Ishwar se prarthna karti hoon ki yeh prem ka bandhan jo maine tumhare haath pe bandha hai yeh sada tumhari Raksha kare, tum hamare Mata Pita ki seva karo, kul ki garima badhao, patni ka sada kalyan karo, santan ki hamesha raksha karo, aur sada jeevan se santusht raho.

"Mere pyaare Bhai main sada tumhein swasth aur samriddh dekhu, mere liye tum mere mata pita ki he chavi ho tumhara prem aur sanrakshan mujhe sada mile. Sab bahen bhaiyon ko iss ati Priye parv ki bahut shubhkamnaen. Rakshabandhan ki hardik shubhkamnaein."

GIVA's Raksha Bandhan ad sparks controversy

The post comes amid a controversy surrounding jewellery brand GIVA's Raksha Bandhan campaign featuring actor Kriti Sanon.

The advertisement drew criticism on social media over Sanon's Indo-Western outfit, which included a bralette-style blouse, cape and draped skirt. The campaign also showed Sanon celebrating Raksha Bandhan and tying a rakhi to a pet dog.

The controversy intensified after Ranaut criticised the campaign, questioning the choice of styling while portraying a Hindu festival.

Kangana questions representation of Hindu festivals

Ranaut's criticism focused on what she described as the cultural and civilisational significance of Hindu festivals. Her remarks sparked a larger discussion over whether traditional festivals should necessarily be represented through conventional Indian attire and customs.

Kriti Sanon in the controversial advertisement. Photo: Screen-grab

Kriti Sanon responds

Sanon subsequently appeared to respond to the criticism without naming Ranaut directly.

The actor argued that culture is rooted in a person's values and emotions rather than simply in their clothes. Her response shifted the debate towards women's autonomy and whether a person's attire should be used as a measure of their respect for tradition.

GIVA withdraws the advertisement

The backlash eventually prompted GIVA to withdraw the advertisement from its media platforms.

The jewellery brand said it has "the highest regard and deep respect" for Indian culture, traditions and festivals and that hurting sentiments was never its intention.

The controversy has since grown into a wider conversation about cultural representation, women's clothing and the evolving ways in which Indian and Hindu festivals are portrayed in popular culture.