Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
BJP MP and actor Kangana Ranaut explained her criticism of Kriti Sanon’s controversial Raksha Bandhan advertisement, saying her comments were not about an individual but about the larger cultural context surrounding festivals. She futher said that the Indian festival is “not just about aesthetics” but an “expression of a culture and civilisation.”
She had earlier commented on Sanon’s outfit in the ad, while calling it “intentionally creepy”.
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In a recent interview with Sudhir Chaudhary, Kangana was asked about her earlier comments on Kriti’s advertisement as well as Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s remarks on women’s clothing and choice. She said her comments were not about individuals, but about the issues surrounding them.
Kangana had earlier questioned Kriti’s styling in the Raksha Bandhan campaign, asking why a woman would choose to wear a bikini-style outfit while tying a rakhi to her brother when she has several other clothing options.
During the interview, Kangana was asked about Kriti’s statement that women should be free to decide what they wear. Rahul Gandhi had also said that what a woman wears, does or where she goes is her choice.
Responding to this, Kangana said, “Who is stopping them from wearing anything, given the kinds of films we see them in? Who even cares what they come wearing?”
She then questioned the argument that clothing choices should be viewed in isolation from cultural context.
“How can one have such a foolish way of thinking? The aesthetic expression of any civilisation is its festival,” she said.
Kangana went on to refer to Raksha Bandhan, saying that the festival has its own religious and cultural traditions.
“Raksha Bandhan is a religious and civilisational expression. It has its own rules, just as there are rules for worship,” she said.
She also criticised Rahul Gandhi, calling his views “confused” and questioning his understanding of patriarchy.
‘Festival is not just about aesthetics’
When asked whether a similar advertisement could be made for Eid, Kangana argued that Indian festivals have specific cultural traditions and boundaries.
She said, “But in our culture, there is so much dignity in every relationship, so many traditions, lines and boundaries.”
Kangana was also asked about the advertisement being withdrawn after the controversy. She said the bralette was not the main concern for many people.
“The bralette was a very small part of the bigger issue,” she said.
According to Kangana, the larger issue was the absence of familiar cultural elements associated with Raksha Bandhan.
“For Hindus, the real question was—where are the parents? Where is the home? There was no halwa, puri, God, tilak, akshat, incense or lamp—nothing,” she said.
She added, “Festival is not just about aesthetics. A festival is an aesthetic expression of a culture and civilisation.”
Kriti Sanon‘s Raksha Bandhan ad row
Kangana’s remarks came after the GIVA Raksha Bandhan campaign became a talking point online. Critics particularly objected to Kriti’s bralette-style blouse and the way the festival was presented in the advertisement, which has since been pulled.
Some social media users questioned why a similar approach would not be taken with advertisements around Eid or Christmas, while others accused the campaign of hurting religious sentiments.
One user called the campaign a “mockery of sacred traditions” and urged the police to take action, while another criticised Kriti for wearing a bralette while tying a rakhi.
The controversy also came amid a wider debate around the portrayal of Indian festivals in advertising and whether brands should balance contemporary styling with traditional cultural symbolism.
The actor-politician also defended her decision to speak on such matters, saying that as a public figure and elected representative, her concerns had expanded from personal issues to wider social questions.
– Ends
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
