22 August,2026 03:52 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Kriti Sanon in Raksha Bandhan ad (Pictures via X)
Kriti Sanon has found herself at the centre of a social media debate after featuring in a new Raksha Bandhan advertisement for jewellery brand. The ad, which celebrates the festival of sibling love and protection, has drawn mixed reactions online, with some netizens criticising Kriti's outfit and the decision to include her pet dog in the Raksha Bandhan celebrations.
In the advertisement, Kriti is seen celebrating Raksha Bandhan with her human brother and tying a traditional rakhi to him. The actress then extends the gesture to her pet dog, treating the animal as part of the family. While the concept appears to highlight the bond people share with their pets, some viewers felt that the presentation placed greater importance on the dog than the brother.
The advertisement quickly became a talking point on social media, with several users expressing disappointment over what they felt was an inappropriate portrayal of the festival.
One user criticised the campaign, writing that the ad featured Kriti in a "skimpy outfit" while celebrating Raksha Bandhan and questioned the decision to show her getting a rakhi for her dog. The user claimed that the concept was "ruining and disrespecting" the spirit of Raksha Bandhan.
Another social media user went a step further and criticised the actress, writing, "People should ban her," while questioning why filmmakers and brands allegedly make fun of Indian festivals. The comment also compared the treatment of Hindu festivals with other religious celebrations.
However, not everyone agreed with the criticism. One user offered a different interpretation of the advertisement, arguing that Raksha Bandhan is not necessarily only about the brother. They pointed to the traditional significance of the raksha sutra and cited the example of Yudhishthira refusing heaven without his loyal dog to explain why someone could feel a similar protective bond towards a pet.
Kriti's outfit also became a separate point of discussion. A user directly questioned whether the styling was appropriate for Raksha Bandhan, asking, "Do you wear such clothes on Raksha Bandhan?" Another criticised the overall presentation, saying an advertisement featuring a more conservative family setting could have appeared more natural and emotionally effective than what they described as a superficial portrayal.
At the same time, several fans came to Kriti's defence. One supporter argued that Raksha Bandhan is ultimately about love, care and protection, adding that tying a rakhi to a pet who is considered part of the family does not diminish the cultural significance of the festival.
Another fan defended Kriti's personal choice, writing that it was her festival and she should be free to celebrate it as she wishes. A third user urged people to "take a chill pill", arguing that there are more serious issues in the country than Kriti wearing a short blouse or tying a rakhi to her pet.
With both criticism and support pouring in, Kriti Sanon's advertisement has sparked a wider conversation about how traditional festivals should be represented in modern advertising and whether celebrating a bond with pets should be viewed as an extension of the festival or a departure from its traditional meaning.
