Months after facing intense online backlash over her apparently revealing outfit in a Raksha Bandhan ad campaign, Kriti Sanon opened up on the controversy during her appearance on Kareena Kapoor Khan’s What Women Want podcast.
Kriti said that the controversy extended far beyond her, as trolls even targeted her mother and sister with malicious comments on their social media posts.
“Normally, I don't say anything... I felt it was not about me; it was a much larger issue where I feel women are constantly under scrutiny for everything. It is only women who are targeted for the smallest thing. What you want to wear, she is too short or tall, oh, is she pregnant...what is going on? It is just my opinion,” she said.
“What is with the hate? I don’t read comments under posts...but I feel that sometimes people get so nasty. Those who talk about culture and respect were ironically the ones who commented on my parents’ and sister’s posts in the nastiest, abusive language,” the actress added.
“What have they done? My sister said I should turn off my comments and I asked, ‘Why?’ I was disturbed. I feel it’s important for women to stand up for themselves. Who has given these people the right to be commenting, and for what?” she further said.
“Actors are the easiest targets. It has happened with multiple people, and we are just human, and it also affects us. I feel very strongly about the gender inequality that exists, and the patriarchy that is embedded so deeply. We need to shatter it multiple times for it to break,” the Bollywood actress said.
The controversy began after a Raksha Bandhan ad for a jewellery brand featured Kriti wearing a bralette-style blouse paired with a cape and draped skirt. A section of social media users took offence with her outfit.
Kangana Ranaut also joined the bandwagon and took a dig at Kriti. “Why would you tie a rakhi to your brother while wearing a bikini or undergarments,” Ranaut posted on social media. She also described it as “intentionally creepy”.
Kriti had responded with a note, writing, “Imagine being this bothered by what another woman chooses to wear. Respectfully, evolve. PS: I'm the one who tied the rakhi, and if I don't have a problem with it, why do you? The essence of festivals is not in the clothes you wear; it is in the emotions and meaning you attach to the traditions.”
On the work front, Kriti was last seen in Cocktail 2 alongside Shahid Kapoor and Rashmika Mandanna.