Kriti Sanon’s Photoshoot for Cosmo India Sparks Controversy Online

“Real or fake, it’s disturbing!” say netizens.

Kriti Sanon is the cover girl for Cosmopolitan India’s August issue. The magazine posted the following photo of Sanon on their Instagram page.

“I’m not someone who gets angry easily, but when I read about atrocities against women, it really upsets me.” Meet our cover girl @kritisanon being her candid self in our August issue.✨ Photograph: @andrewwoffinden; styling: @zunailimalik; hair: @aasifahmedofficial; makeup: @adrianjacobsofficial using @facescanada; location courtesy: @aynhoepark; production: @viennafilms Kriti is wearing - high neck top, @hm; pants, @431_88; stilettos, Red Label Collection, @bata.india; necklace: @swarovski #KritiSanon #OnlyInCosmo #CosmoIndia

A post shared by Cosmopolitan India (@cosmoindia) on Aug 8, 2018 at 4:48am PDT

The photo was captioned with a quote from Sanon which said, “I’m not someone who gets angry easily, but when I read about atrocities against women, it really upsets me.”

The photo quickly sparked a controversy online because of the use of a giraffe hanging from the ceiling as a prop.

“Real or Fake, It’s Disturbing”

The Instagram post garnered thousands of responses with people pointing out the disturbing nature of the picture.

The Not-So-Lost Irony

Netizens quickly pointed out the irony of the photo coupled with the caption.

“The Irony of your statement isn’t lost on anyone. Talking of fighting cruelty against women whilst representing cruelty against an endangered species. What are you upto, reducing animals to showpieces?” wrote a Twitter user.

@kritisanon @CosmoIndia The Irony of your statement isn't lost on anyone. Talking of fighting cruelty against women whilst representing cruelty against an endangered species. What are you upto, reducing animals to showpieces? pic.twitter.com/oqMBLjX6C9

— Riya Surekha Mishra (@riyamishra110) August 8, 2018

With this #Cosmopolitan cover, #KritiSanon has now worked with Giraffe 🦒 and Tiger. 🕺🤸 pic.twitter.com/vHjPoa48Px

— Aaqib Raza Khan (@aaqibrk) August 8, 2018

What is wrong with you @CosmoIndia and @kritisanon? Whatever point you are trying to make, this is disturbing. pic.twitter.com/AMSLzHTfMa

— Sohini Guharoy (@sohinigr) August 8, 2018

.@CosmoIndia loses their mind. Check the caption for added unintentional humour. What is this nonsense? @kritisanon pic.twitter.com/1EeBwi47A2

— Meghnad Bose (@MeghnadBose93) August 8, 2018

Also, the way the quote has been worded. Yes, @kritisanon, the world was waiting for your novel outrage. Now that you are upset, we're better off. Because the rest of us were complaining about dhoklas being too spicy and mothers being nags. https://t.co/j95ZjHsVl0

— medhachakrabartty (@medhac1) August 8, 2018

An Animal-Studded Location

The location for the photoshoot was Aynhoe Park, which is a private family home embodying British eccentricity, just one hour from London, according to its Instagram page.

The hanging giraffe appears in a number of their pictures.

ICON // @cathleennaundorf shooting at Aynhoe Park for @iconistbyicon | Photography and Art Direction @cathleennaundorf | Styling @adelaidacuebaer | Model @bettydoye | Hat piece @mrleroni #icon #magazine #aynhoepark #photoshoot #photography #editiorial #cathleennaundorf #photography #dior #magical #orangery #balloons #fashion #oxfordshire #aynho #cotswolds#jamesaynhoe#jamesperkimsstudio#

A post shared by AYNHOE PARK (@aynhoepark) on Apr 30, 2018 at 10:17am PDT

TABLE MANNERS : EASTER WITH ANTROPOLOGIE // Go to our musings page to see how @sophieaynhoe created this Speckled egg inspired Easter table with @anthropologie @anthropologieeu // Make these effective placemats simply at home // Photo credit: @barkerevans #aynhoepark #easter #eastertable #tablescape #floral #anthropologie #pink #goodfriday #styling #tablestyling #spring #pretty #glassware #musings #blog #tablemanners #aynho #cotswolds #oxfordshire #bankholiday #easterlook #chocolate

A post shared by AYNHOE PARK (@aynhoepark) on Mar 31, 2018 at 3:33am PDT

LADY IN RED // Repost @ralphandrusso - @sonamkapoor as seen in @bridestodayin. Styled by @ayeshaaminnigam. Photographed by Julia Kennedy #aynhoepark #photoshoot #ralphandrusso #sonamkapoor #fashion #bridestodayin #couture #designer #fashion #photography #style #aynho #photography #styling #magical #dance #fridayfeeling #dress #ladyinred #fashiondesigner #inspiration #cotswolds #oxfordshire #countryhouse #exclusivehire

A post shared by AYNHOE PARK (@aynhoepark) on Mar 23, 2018 at 9:55am PDT

ORANGERY AESTHETICS // A beautiful Aynhoe Park wedding as seen on @lovemydress Photography @craigandevasanders | Dress @berta | Flowers @grandirosa #aynhoepark #berta #bertabridal #aynho #lovemydress #blog #bride #beautiful #aynho #orangery #magical #photography #wedding #event #plaster #details #weddingdress #flowers #flowerarch

A post shared by AYNHOE PARK (@aynhoepark) on Jan 10, 2018 at 11:47am PST

And then there are these other animals...

ENLISTED // "We create extraordinary events for extraordinary people" Read @sophieaynhoe 's full interview at fashion label @enliststyle at www.enlist.co.uk Photocredit @jubiewigan #aynhoepark #fashion #zebra #enlist #photoshoot #magical #events #weddings #home #aynho #cotswolds #globe #diningroom #interiors #decor #rockingzebra #amoderngrandtour

A post shared by AYNHOE PARK (@aynhoepark) on Oct 16, 2017 at 9:35am PDT

WHIMSICAL WEDNESDAYS // Throwback to Aynhoe's 400th Birthday and the launch of @amoderngrandtour featuring our ostrich feather lamps! Photography by @barkerevans | Concept by @sophieaynhoe | Flowers and feather tree by @byappointmentonlydesign | Balloons by @3bubblegumgirls #aynhoepark #whimsical #amoderngrandtour #byappointmentonly #barkerevans #bubblegumballoons #400thbirthday #unicorn #featherlamp #balloon #orangery #styling #magical #design #decor #party #candles #dinner #dinnerparty #oxfordshire #events #aynho #cotswolds

A post shared by AYNHOE PARK (@aynhoepark) on Sep 13, 2017 at 9:31am PDT