Bollywood’s ultimate fashion icon, Kareena Kapoor Khan, is making headlines, this time not just for her style, but for taking a pointed stand in a growing controversy involving luxury brand Prada. Known for setting trends with every public appearance, Kareena recently turned to her roots and chose tradition over luxury, flaunting her original Kolhapuri chappals on social media with a bold caption: “Sorry not Prada, but my OG Kolhapuri.”
The statement was loud, clear, and impossible to miss—a subtle dig at Prada, which is currently under fire for allegedly replicating the iconic Indian Kolhapuri sandal design without credit or consent.
The incident comes in the wake of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed in the Bombay High Court by a group of intellectual property rights advocates, accusing Prada of unauthorised commercialisation of the GI-tagged Kolhapuri chappals. The plea seeks not only an apology from the fashion house but also compensation for the artisan community, whose rich cultural craftsmanship has long been associated with this traditional Indian footwear. 
Kareena’s choice to highlight the original design—and call out the global fashion giant—has added a strong celebrity voice to the conversation. Fashion insiders are calling it a powerful example of how Indian celebrities are using their platforms to defend homegrown heritage, especially when it intersects with global fashion ethics.
The Kolhapuri chappal, named after the district of Kolhapur in Maharashtra, is a symbol of Indian craftsmanship, made by skilled artisans using traditional methods passed down through generations. With Kareena stepping into the spotlight in support of the original design, the conversation around ethical fashion, cultural appropriation, and artisan rights is now firmly back on the global radar.
While Prada is yet to respond publicly, the debate has sparked larger questions in the fashion world
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