Kareena Kapoor trolls Prada over 'copied' Kolhapuris as PIL hits court for GI misuse

Sharing a picture of herself wearing the traditional sandals, Kareena cheekily captioned it, “Sorry not Prada but my OG Kolhapuri.”

Photo instagrammed by @kareenakapoorkhan

Her post comes amid a wave of criticism directed at the fashion label for showcasing a pair of leather sandals bearing a striking resemblance to Kolhapuris, yet failing to credit their Indian roots.

PIL filed over unauthorised use of GI-tagged product

The backlash has now reached the Bombay High Court, where a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed seeking action against Prada Group and Prada India Fashion Private Limited.

The petition, led by Advocate Ganesh S Hingmire and a team of intellectual property lawyers from Mumbai and Pune, accuses Prada of unauthorised use of the Geographical Indication (GI)-tagged Kolhapuri design, India Today reported.

The PIL demands an official apology, a public acknowledgment of the traditional origins of the design, and a commitment to refrain from future misuse of GI-tagged cultural products.

PIL seeks artisan rights recognition

The plea also seeks financial compensation for Kolhapuri artisans, citing both reputational and economic damage.

The petition argues that the unauthorised commercialisation of the Kolhapuri chappal by an international brand has severely impacted the livelihood of artisans in Maharashtra, where the footwear is traditionally made.

Moreover, the PIL asks the court to direct that the rights of the artisan community be expressly recognised, reinforcing the importance of protecting indigenous crafts from appropriation.

Kolhapuri chappals: More than just footwear

A pair of traditional Kolhapuri chappals (Photo: wikipedia.org)

A staple of Indian heritage, Kolhapuri chappals are handmade leather sandals that have been crafted in the Kolhapur district of Maharashtra for generations.

Their GI-tag status symbolises their unique cultural and regional identity, one the PIL insists must not be diluted by global fashion brands.