The romantic drama Chand Mera Dil, starring Ananya Panday and Lakshya, released in theatres last Friday but failed to create much excitement at the box office. However, the film has now become a hot topic online because of Ananya Panday’s Bharatnatyam scenes.
Social media users have been heavily criticising the actress for her dance performance in the film. Many viewers believe the Bharatnatyam sequences looked unnatural and lacked the grace usually associated with the traditional dance form.
Ananya Panday’s Bharatnatyam Scenes Go Viral
In Chand Mera Dil, Ananya Panday plays the role of Chandni. The film includes two major dance sequences where her character performs Bharatnatyam-inspired choreography.
The first scene appears during her college days when Lakshya’s character sees her for the first time. The second Bharatnatyam performance takes place during a college alumni event later in the story.
Soon after clips from these scenes surfaced online, social media users started sharing memes and criticism. Several people described the dance as “robotic” and said the fusion choreography did not suit Bharatnatyam.
Why Social Media Is Criticising the Dance
Many viewers felt that the Bharatnatyam steps in the film lacked proper expression, flexibility, and traditional form. Some users even claimed the performance looked more mechanical than emotional.
One viral comment joked that artificial intelligence could have performed the dance better. Another person wrote that the performance felt disrespectful to Bharatnatyam.
Some social media users also questioned why filmmakers use classical dance styles without proper training or authenticity. According to many comments, Bollywood should handle traditional Indian art forms more carefully.
Bharatnatyam Fans React Strongly
The controversy has upset several Bharatnatyam lovers and classical dance followers online. Many people pointed out that Bharatnatyam is one of India’s oldest and most respected classical dance forms. Because of this, viewers expect performers to maintain its grace and cultural beauty.
A few users argued that actors should receive proper training before attempting classical dance performances in films. Others said Bollywood often mixes traditional styles with modern choreography in ways that may not always work. At the same time, some fans defended Ananya Panday and said actors simply perform what directors and choreographers ask them to do.
Chand Mera Dil Receives Mixed Audience Response
Apart from the dance controversy, Chand Mera Dil has received a mixed reaction from audiences.
The romantic drama was expected to attract younger viewers because of the fresh pairing of Lakshya and Ananya Panday. However, the film opened to a lukewarm response in theatres.
While some viewers praised the chemistry between the lead actors, others felt the story lacked emotional depth. The online trolling around the Bharatnatyam scenes has now become one of the biggest talking points related to the movie.
Ananya Panday Continues to Face Online Scrutiny
Ananya Panday has often faced strong reactions on social media for her performances and public appearances. Over the years, the actress has become one of Bollywood’s most discussed young stars online.
The latest Bharatnatyam controversy has once again placed her under public scrutiny. While critics are unhappy with the dance performance, her fans believe online trolling sometimes becomes too harsh and personal.
Several supporters have argued that actors should be allowed to experiment with different dance styles without facing extreme negativity.
Bollywood and Classical Dance Debate Returns
The reaction to Chand Mera Dil has once again sparked a larger debate about how Bollywood presents classical Indian dance forms on screen. Over the years, films have often blended traditional dance with modern cinematic style to appeal to wider audiences. However, such experiments can divide opinions, especially among people deeply connected to classical arts like Bharatnatyam.
Some experts believe filmmakers should involve trained classical dancers more actively when creating such scenes. Others feel cinema should also have creative freedom to present dance in a modern way.
Will the Controversy Affect Chand Mera Dil?
It remains unclear whether the online backlash will affect the film’s long-term performance at the box office. Sometimes social media criticism increases curiosity among audiences, while in other cases it negatively impacts public opinion.
For now, the Bharatnatyam sequences featuring Ananya Panday continue to dominate discussions online more than the film itself. As clips from Chand Mera Dil keep circulating across platforms, the debate around Bollywood’s treatment of classical dance forms is unlikely to end anytime soon.
