← Latest briefing

World News

Indian jewellery brand Giva pulls festival advertisement after online backlash

Jewellery company Giva withdrew its Rakshabandhan commercial following social media criticism over actor Kriti Sanon's outfit and a scene featuring her pet dog.

The short version

  • Indian jewellery brand Giva removed its Rakshabandhan festival advertisement following online criticism.
  • The backlash focused on actor Kriti Sanon's attire and a scene showing her tying a rakhi to her pet dog.
  • BJP MP Kangana Ranaut criticized the commercial's styling, while Sanon and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi defended a woman's right to choose her clothing.
  • Giva stated it withdrew the campaign from all media out of respect for public sentiments after inadvertently causing offense.

Key facts

  • Jewellery brand Giva withdrew its Rakshabandhan commercial from all media platforms following online criticism.[BBC News]
  • Critics, including BJP MP Kangana Ranaut, criticized actor Kriti Sanon's clothing choice as revealing and inappropriate for a traditional Hindu festival.[BBC News]
  • Some social media users objected to a scene in the commercial where Sanon ties a rakhi to her pet dog.[BBC News]
  • Sanon defended her wardrobe choice on social media, arguing that respect for cultural traditions is not determined by women's attire.[BBC News]
  • Congress MP Rahul Gandhi publicly supported Sanon, stating that clothing decisions rest with individual women.[BBC News]
  • Giva released a statement clarifying that it intended to extend festival celebrations to pets and pulled the campaign because it inadvertently hurt public sentiments.[BBC News]

Sources