Ananya Panday is facing heavy trolling on social media after a dance sequence from Chand Mera Dil went viral online. The clip, featuring the actor performing a Bharatanatyam fusion routine during a college orientation scene in the film, has triggered intense reactions from classical dance lovers, musicians, and social media users.
Released on May 22, “Chand Mera Dil” stars Ananya Panday alongside Lakshya Lalwani and tells the emotional story of two college students whose relationship changes after an unexpected pregnancy. While both actors have received praise for handling emotionally layered characters and carrying the romantic drama with sincerity, one particular scene from the film has now become the center of online controversy.
The viral moment comes from a performance by Ananya’s character Chandni, who performs a Bharatanatyam-inspired fusion dance during a college event. In the movie, the performance is presented as a modern fusion piece with contemporary music blended into the choreography. However, short clips from the final moments of the dance began circulating online without full context, leading to strong criticism from many viewers.
Also Read :-
A post shared by Dharma Productions (@dharmamovies)
Also Read :- https://x.com/Incognito_qfs/status/2058613661787431328?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E2058613661787431328%7Ctwgr%5E6839393ac9a93b25b090cc038ce6ecd90c5f8abb%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ndtv.com%2Fentertainment%2Fananya-pandays-bharatanatyam-fusion-in-chand-mera-dil-faces-online-backlash-blood-coming-from-my-eyes-11543122
Also Read :- https://x.com/HasnaZaruriHai/status/2058492436251607285?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E2058492436251607285%7Ctwgr%5E6839393ac9a93b25b090cc038ce6ecd90c5f8abb%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ndtv.com%2Fentertainment%2Fananya-pandays-bharatanatyam-fusion-in-chand-mera-dil-faces-online-backlash-blood-coming-from-my-eyes-11543122
Also Read :- https://x.com/aratnam/status/2058715915479556454?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E2058715915479556454%7Ctwgr%5E6839393ac9a93b25b090cc038ce6ecd90c5f8abb%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ndtv.com%2Fentertainment%2Fananya-pandays-bharatanatyam-fusion-in-chand-mera-dil-faces-online-backlash-blood-coming-from-my-eyes-11543122
Also Read :- https://x.com/krithikasivasw/status/2058586601396277396?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E2058586601396277396%7Ctwgr%5E6839393ac9a93b25b090cc038ce6ecd90c5f8abb%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ndtv.com%2Fentertainment%2Fananya-pandays-bharatanatyam-fusion-in-chand-mera-dil-faces-online-backlash-blood-coming-from-my-eyes-11543122
Also Read :- https://x.com/the_kerala_girl/status/2058572229869543450?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E2058572229869543450%7Ctwgr%5E6839393ac9a93b25b090cc038ce6ecd90c5f8abb%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ndtv.com%2Fentertainment%2Fananya-pandays-bharatanatyam-fusion-in-chand-mera-dil-faces-online-backlash-blood-coming-from-my-eyes-11543122
Also Read :- https://x.com/drshamamohd/status/2058573804289573195?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E2058573804289573195%7Ctwgr%5E6839393ac9a93b25b090cc038ce6ecd90c5f8abb%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ndtv.com%2Fentertainment%2Fananya-pandays-bharatanatyam-fusion-in-chand-mera-dil-faces-online-backlash-blood-coming-from-my-eyes-11543122
Several social media users accused the film of disrespecting Bharatanatyam, one of India’s oldest and most respected classical dance forms. Many comments mocked the choreography, while others criticized Bollywood for using classical arts without proper understanding or training.
One viral reaction read, “Someone needs to stop Ananya Panday before she further destroys Bharatanatyam.” Another user sarcastically wrote, “Bharatanatyam was founded in 200 BCE and ended with Ananya Panday in 2026.”
The backlash grew further after respected choreographer and performer Anita R Ratnam reacted strongly to the clip online. She said the performance looked like “a catastrophic misunderstanding” of Bharatanatyam and criticized the lack of technique, structure, geometry, and emotional discipline associated with the classical art form.
According to her, Bharatanatyam is built on years of training, precision, musicality, and devotion, while the viral sequence appeared disconnected from those traditions. She also remarked that the performance treated the dance form “like a wedding sangeet filmed during a mild earthquake,” a line that quickly went viral online.
Carnatic musician Krithika Sivaswamy also criticized the sequence, saying it reflected Bollywood’s insensitivity towards classical arts. Some viewers felt the industry often commercializes traditional art forms without respecting their cultural depth and discipline.
Others, however, pointed out that the clip circulating online was being viewed without context. Supporters argued that the sequence in the film was never presented as pure Bharatanatyam but as a college-stage fusion performance blending classical and modern styles. Many fans also defended Ananya Panday personally, saying actors often perform choreography designed by filmmakers and dance directors rather than claiming expertise in a classical art form.
Despite the controversy, the discussion has once again highlighted the strong emotional connection Indians have with classical dance traditions. Bharatanatyam, known for its detailed expressions, footwork, mudras, and storytelling, is considered not just a performance style but a deeply respected cultural discipline that usually requires years of rigorous practice.
Meanwhile, “Chand Mera Dil” continues to generate conversation online for both its emotional storyline and the unexpected debate surrounding this viral dance sequence. While some viewers continue trolling the performance with memes and harsh comments, others believe the backlash has become excessively personal toward Ananya Panday, especially considering the scene was intended as a modern fusion act rather than a strict classical recital.
