Are brands overreacting to manufactured outrage? | In Focus Podcast

The podcast discusses the trend of brands withdrawing advertisements following public backlash, specifically citing a recent incident involving a jewellery brand. It explores whether these companies are overreacting to manufactured outrage in the current socio-political climate of India.
Why it matters
This reflects the increasing pressure on corporate entities to navigate sensitive cultural and religious sentiments in a polarized digital environment.
Last week, jewellery brand Giva withdrew an advertisement it made for Raksha Bandhan after netizens criticised actress Kriti Sanon’s outfit as too revealing for a traditional festival. The incident is the latest in a series of brands backtracking on their advertisements following backlash that is often religiously or communally charged.
Given India’s current socio-political climate, are brands overreacting to manufactured outrage? Here, we discuss the question.
Published - September 03, 2026 07:42 pm IST
The Hindu Podcasts / In Focus Podcast / The Hindu Parley Podcast
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in