Kangana Ranaut's old National Award look goes viral amid Kriti Sanon ad row

BJP MP and actor Kangana Ranaut is facing renewed scrutiny over her views on women’s clothing and cultural traditions after an old video of her receiving a National Film Award resurfaced online. Social media users are now drawing comparisons between Kangana’s attire at the ceremony and Kriti Sanon’s outfit when she received her National Award, days after Kangana criticised Sanon’s styling in a controversial Raksha Bandhan advertisement that has since been pulled.The resurfaced visuals have sparked a debate over whether Kangana’s comments on what women should wear during culturally significant occasions should also be viewed in the context of her own public appearances.The old visuals are from the 63rd National Film Awards, where Kangana received the Best Actress award for Tanu Weds Manu Returns from then President Pranab Mukherjee. The video has now gone viral amid the ongoing debate over Kangana’s criticism of Kriti’s outfit in a Raksha Bandhan advertisement.Kangana wore a pastel blue-grey off-shoulder gown at the event. This was not the first time the actor had opted for a Western outfit for the ceremony. At the 62nd National Film Awards, the actor wore a light mauve, body-hugging gown with a trailing skirt, designed by Bibhu Mohapatra. Several X users shared side-by-side visuals of Kangana and Kriti receiving National Awards, questioning the actor's comments on how women should dress for culturally significant occasions.One user wrote, “The self-proclaimed goddess of wisdom on culture and attire, Kangana Ranaut, needs to look inward first.” The post referred to Kangana’s criticism of Kriti’s Raksha Bandhan advertisement and her comments after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi defended Kriti’s freedom to choose what she wears.Another user shared pictures of the two actors receiving their National Awards and wrote, “Kriti Sanon vs Kangana Ranaut. Look and compare their dressing culture in front of Hon'ble President of India while receiving the National Awards.”Kriti Senon vs Kangana RanuatLook and compare their dressing culture in front of Hon'ble President of India while receiveing the National Awards.Actually BJP IT cell has made India authauthoritarian state, they are scared of th loss of their leader's power, so they want to pic.twitter.com/Zxr7f72wrZ— Priyanshi for RaGa Die hard Messi Fan (@RaGakiDeewani) August 26, 2026The comparison has sparked a wider discussion about whether public figures who speak about cultural standards should also be held to the same standards they advocate.A separate post featured a montage of actors, including Kangana, Kriti, Rani Mukerji, Alia Bhatt and Keerthy Suresh, receiving National Awards. “From Kriti Sanon to Keerthy Suresh, sarees were chosen while receiving National Awards. Then there’s Kangana Ranaut,” the user wrote.From Kriti Sanon to Keerthy Suresh, sarees were chosen while receiving National Awards.Then there’s Kangana RanautNothing wrong with any outfit, but given her obsession with policing women’s clothes, she’s hardly in a position to lecture others about dressing pic.twitter.com/CvTGCN4OQ1— X (@HereToTroll72) August 26, 2026The post also added that there was “nothing wrong with any outfit”, but questioned Kangana’s position given her criticism of other women’s clothing choices.Kangana, however, has previously worn a saree while receiving a National Award. A social media user pointed this out while sharing visuals of her appearance at the 67th National Film Awards, where she received the Best Actress award for Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi.Why is Kangana being criticised?The resurfaced video comes days after Kangana addressed the backlash to her comments on Kriti Sanon’s Raksha Bandhan advertisement.Kangana had criticised Kriti’s styling in the GIVA campaign, particularly questioning the choice of a bralette-style blouse while tying a rakhi to her brother. She had asked why women could not choose other outfits when participating in a festival rooted in religious and cultural traditions.In a recent interview with DD News, Kangana clarified that her comments were not directed at Kriti as an individual. She said she was talking about the larger cultural context in which festivals are presented.“Who is stopping them from wearing anything, given the kinds of films we see them in? Who even cares what they come wearing?” Kangana said when asked about Kriti’s comments on women having the freedom to choose what they wear.She went on to argue that clothing and aesthetics associated with festivals cannot always be separated from their cultural significance.“How can one have such a foolish way of thinking? The aesthetic expression of any civilisation is its festival,” she said.'Festival is not just about aesthetics'Speaking specifically about Raksha Bandhan, Kangana said the festival has its own traditions and cultural boundaries.“Raksha Bandhan is a religious and civilisational expression. It has its own rules, just as there are rules for worship,” she said.She also questioned what she described as the absence of traditional elements in the advertisement. According to Kangana, the controversy was therefore not simply about Kriti wearing a particular outfit.“The bralette was a very small part of the bigger issue,” she said, adding that a festival should be viewed as an expression of culture and civilisation.The advertisement was later withdrawn following the controversy, which had triggered a debate on social media about the portrayal of Indian festivals in advertising.Kangana’s old National Award appearance has now added another layer to that conversation, with users questioning whether her own past fashion choices are consistent with the standards she has invoked while commenting on other women’s outfits.- EndsPublished By: shweta keshriPublished On: Aug 27, 2026 14:35 IST