'Where Is Debate Over Men Who Approved Ad?': Gaurav Gogoi Questions Targeting of Kriti Sanon

New Delhi: Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi has questioned what he described as the disproportionate targeting of actor Kriti Sanon over a controversial advertisement, asking why the men involved in approving or producing the advertisement were not facing comparable scrutiny.

Gogoi raised the issue amid a wider public debate over the advertisement and the criticism directed at Sanon for her involvement in it.

The Congress leader questioned whether responsibility for an advertisement should rest solely with the person appearing in it. He argued that advertising involves multiple stakeholders, including brands, creative agencies, producers and decision-makers who approve the final content.

"Where is the debate over the men who approved the ad?" Gogoi asked, questioning why the discussion appeared to be centred disproportionately on the actor.

The controversy has generated discussion on social media and in political circles, with different groups expressing differing views over the content and its portrayal.

Gogoi's intervention has brought a gender-related dimension to the debate. His argument is that public criticism should examine the broader chain of responsibility rather than placing the focus primarily on a female actor who appears in an advertisement.

Actors and public figures frequently become the most visible faces of advertising campaigns, even though the final content is typically the result of decisions taken by brands, advertising agencies and production teams.

The debate has therefore raised broader questions about accountability in the advertising industry and whether performers should bear the same responsibility as companies and creative decision-makers for controversial campaign material.

Sanon has not been the only public figure to face scrutiny over advertising content, but Gogoi's comments have highlighted what he sees as an unequal standard in the way criticism is directed at women in the public eye.

The controversy also reflects the growing influence of social media in shaping public discussions around advertisements. Campaigns can quickly attract criticism online, prompting brands and celebrities to respond to public reactions.

Gogoi's remarks are likely to fuel further discussion about gender, accountability and the responsibilities of celebrities who endorse commercial products.

The episode also raises a wider question for the advertising industry: when a campaign becomes controversial, should accountability extend equally to everyone involved in creating, approving and publishing it?

As the debate continues, attention is likely to remain focused not only on Sanon's role but also on the wider process through which the advertisement was conceptualised and approved