'Stop trolling women for exercising their freedom': Rahul Gandhi backs Kriti Sanon amid Rakhi ad row

Sharing Sanon's response to the criticism on his Instagram Stories, Gandhi wrote: "What a woman wears, what she does and where she goes - is her choice."

"Stop trolling women for exercising their freedom," he added, using the hashtag #SmashThePatriarchy, which he had recently used at his all-woman 'Chhatron Ki Goonj' rally in Pune.

Row began with Kangana Ranaut's criticism

The controversy erupted after BJP MP and actor Kangana Ranaut criticised Sanon's attire in the advertisement for jewellery brand GIVA.

Ranaut questioned why Sanon would tie a rakhi to her brother while wearing what she described as a bikini or undergarments, and called the campaign "intentionally creepy".

The advertisement features Sanon in an off-white ensemble consisting of a blouse, cape and draped skirt.

A section of social media users had also questioned whether the styling was appropriate for a campaign centred on the traditional festival.

Kriti Sanon: ‘When will we stop telling women what to wear?’

Sanon responded to the criticism on Tuesday without naming Ranaut.

"The essence of festivals is not in the clothes you wear, it is in the emotions and meaning you hold for the traditions," she said.

Questioning the scrutiny faced by women over their clothing, Sanon added: "When will we stop telling women what to wear?"

She argued that ethnic fashion has evolved over the years and said a woman's respect for culture should not be judged by her attire.

"Culture & Traditions are in her heart, not in her neckline!" she wrote.

Sanon defends Rakhi to dogs

Sanon also addressed criticism of a sequence in the advertisement in which she ties a rakhi to a dog after it barks at her.

She said Raksha Bandhan represents a bond of protection and explained that she and her sister tie rakhi to each other and pray for each other's health, happiness and long life.

"For us, this prayer and promise extends to our dogs too! Afterall, they are family!" Sanon wrote.

Nupur Sanon aso responds

Kriti's sister, actor Nupur Sanon, also reacted to Ranaut's remarks.

"Imagine being this bothered by what another woman chooses to wear. Respectfully, evolve," she wrote.

The controversy, which began over a festive advertisement, has now widened into a public debate involving actors and political figures over women's clothing, personal choice and cultural expectations.