Alia Bhatt’s Ganesh Chaturthi look has triggered an unexpected comparison with the recent controversy surrounding Kriti Sanon’s Raksha Bandhan advertisement. The actress was seen in a silver corset-style blouse paired with a draped saree. While many admired the outfit, others quickly questioned why Kriti Sanon was criticised for wearing a similar contemporary ensemble.
The comparison is difficult to ignore. Kriti faced heavy backlash after appearing in a jewellery advertisement wearing an ivory bralette, cape and draped skirt while celebrating Raksha Bandhan. Critics accused the campaign of disrespecting the festival, with some also objecting to the decision to show her tying a rakhi to a pet dog. Kriti later responded by saying that culture and tradition exist in a person’s heart, not in a woman’s neckline.
Now, with Alia wearing a similarly revealing festive outfit for Ganesh Chaturthi, social media users are asking whether the outrage was selectively directed at Kriti. The question becomes even more relevant because both looks use the same fashion language: a contemporary blouse, exposed shoulders, statement earrings and a draped Indian outfit.
Of course, the settings are different. Kriti’s look appeared in a commercial built around Raksha Bandhan, while Alia’s outfit was worn for a public Ganesh Chaturthi celebration. But if the argument is that traditional festivals demand a particular dress code, then that standard should apply consistently.
The bigger issue is why women’s cultural respect continues to be judged through their clothes, while similar fashion choices are celebrated as glamorous when worn by someone else.
