Urvashi Rautela Defends Wearing Inspired Tiranga Outfit After Severe Backlash; Says, “I Carry My Country With Me Not Merely As Nationality”

Urvashi Rautela made a striking appearance at the Miss Universe India pageant in Jaipur on Sunday, where she attended the event as one of the judges in a gown inspired by the colours of the Indian tricolour. The outfit featured saffron, white and green hues, along with a centre embellishment inspired by the Ashok Chakra. Scroll down to read the full story.

Urvashi Rautela Defends Wearing Inspired Tiranga Outfit After Severe Backlash

For Urvashi, the ensemble was intended as a tribute to India and an expression of her identity. “I carry my country with me not merely as a nationality, but as a part of my identity. I wanted to wear something that didn’t merely tell people where I came from, but communicated what India means to me. That is where this couture came from,” she said.

The gown was designed by Belarusian couturier Darya Chermashentseva of DASHA Fashion Couture and reportedly took around three months to complete. Explaining the thought behind its design, Urvashi said, “The silhouette, the placement of the colours, the embellishment, the detailing and the construction were all interpreted as fashion. So it wasn’t simply about putting three colours on a dress. It was about transforming a national sentiment into an artistic expression.”

Urvashi Faced Severe Backlash

While several social media users viewed the outfit as a patriotic statement, others questioned its use of colours and motifs associated with the national flag. Critics pointed out that elements of the outfit appeared on the lower half of the body and that parts of the gown trailed on the floor, raising questions about provisions under the Flag Code of India.

Addressing the criticism, Urvashi maintained that the outfit was not a reproduction of the national flag. She said to HT City, “There are several visible differences between the Indian National Flag and this gown. The most important point is that the gown is not a literal reproduction of the National Flag; it is a couture interpretation using tricolour inspired elements.”

She further explained the creative choices behind the outfit. The actress said, “The differences in color shades, orientation, proportions, materials, and especially the central emblem are substantial and intentional for theatrical stage impact under colored lights. The gown is a theatrical, high-fashion homage that borrows the three colours and a Chakra-like central motif. It deliberately alters the shades, turns the horizontal bands vertical, changes the emblem into a piece of jewellery, and covers everything in sequins and fringe so that it reads as glamorous couture under stage lights rather than as a national flag, with the orange not being true saffron, the green being a different version, and the emblem being different when examined against the official specifications.”

Flag Code Of India And The Controversy

The controversy comes amid existing regulations governing the display and use of the Indian National Flag. The Flag Code of India, 2002, and the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, lay down rules regarding how the flag can be displayed and used. Among other provisions, the National Flag must not touch the ground or floor or trail in water. The 1971 Act also identifies using the flag as part of a costume, uniform or accessory worn below the waist, as well as printing or embroidering it on dress material, as acts that can amount to disrespect.

The legislation further states that the expression “Indian National Flag” includes a picture, drawing or other visible representation of the flag or any part of it. Disrespecting or insulting the National Flag in public can attract imprisonment of up to three years, a fine, or both under the law.

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Also Read: Cannes 2026: Urvashi Rautela Makes A Bold Statement In Sheer Bejewelled Gown, Statement Headgear

Akankshya Mukherjee

Akankshya Mukherjee is a dynamic and ambitious individual poised to make waves in the realm of Media and Communication. With a passion for creativity and a drive to contribute to forward-thinking organizations, Akankshya embodies adaptability and a hunger for learning. Having already garnered experience through involvement in various organizations, she has honed the skill of quickly adapting to new environments and challenges. She sees each opportunity as a chance for personal and professional growth, eagerly embracing roles in communications and content writing.