Internet says Ananya Panday’s dance from 'Chand Mera Dil' ended a 2,000-year-old art form
Ananya Panday has become the most talked-about face on social media this week after a fusion dance sequence from her latest film, ‘Chand Mera Dil’, went viral. The clip, featuring the actor attempting to blend Bharatanatyam with hip-hop and locking, has dominated timelines, drawing an avalanche of memes, criticism and spirited debate among classical dancers and film audiences alike.
The scene, set during a college reunion in the film, shows the 27-year-old’s character performing on stage while co-star Lakshya watches in amazement. Although intended to showcase a modern, experimental twist on the classical form, the online reaction has been sharply divided, with many arguing that the attempt fell short of both technique and authenticity.
Classical dancers and viewers respond sharply
Several seasoned Bharatanatyam artistes publicly voiced their disapproval, with many questioning the film industry’s approach to classical art forms. Distinguished dancer Anita R Ratnam delivered one of the most widely circulated critiques on X, writing, "Watching this clip felt like Bharatanatyam being held hostage by a catastrophic misunderstanding of the form. Somewhere between the flailing arms and random camera moves, the dance quietly packed its bags and exited the building."
She continued, "Bharatanatyam is built on technique, control, tradition, geometry, musicality and emotional depth. This clip treats it like a wedding sangeet filmed during a mild earthquake. The tragedy is not that it is BAD. Bad can sometimes be charming. The tragedy is the complete confidence with which it bulldozes through centuries of sophistication, training, dedication and devotion while appearing utterly unaware that ADAVUS are not optional suggestions. This is choreography by algorithmic panic - and Lord Nataraja is suffering this abomination."
Another dancer, Krithika Sivaswamy, expressed concern over the larger trend of misrepresenting classical arts, writing, "Ananya Panday's "Bharatnatyam" shows how the industry is insensitive to classical arts, how they mock it and the audacity to put it up publicly on a screen. Unfortunately in India there is no mechanism to sue those who mock classical arts. Its very fluid which makes anyone do any crap with it."
Social media users joined in swiftly. One X user wrote, "Bharatanatyam was founded in 200 BCE and ended with Ananya Panday in 2026." Several commentators also criticised the presence of a Nataraja idol in the background of the sequence, calling it disrespectful.
Inside the choreography
Amid the backlash, assistant choreographer Ananya R Kurup offered a contrasting narrative from behind the scenes. Sharing photographs and rehearsal snippets online, she praised Panday’s efforts, writing, "@ananyapanday you are truly one of the sweetest person I know!! It was such a lovely experience teaching you Bharatanatyam, and you've absolutely nailed your performance in Chand Mera Dil."
Kurup also highlighted the actor’s training process and acknowledged Panday in the film’s credits.
About ‘Chand Mera Dil’
The romantic drama is written by Vivek Soni and Tushar Paranjape, from a story by Soni, with music by Sachin-Jigar, cinematography by Debojeet Ray and editing by Prashanth Ramachandran. Backed by Dharma Productions, the film features Ananya Panday and Lakshya in their first on-screen collaboration, alongside Resad Ajim, Aastha Singh, Pratham Rathod, Ankur Poddar and Elvis Jose.
‘Chand Mera Dil’ follows Chandni and Aarav as their relationship evolves from youthful infatuation to real-world complications. Released in theatres on 22 May, the film is currently seeing a modest run at the box office.
Panday was last seen in ‘Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri’ with Kartik Aaryan, while Lakshya recently appeared in ‘The Ba**ds of Bollywood’, created by Aryan Khan. Ananya Panday is now filming the second season of Prime Video’s ‘Call Me Bae’.