Bollywood actress Ananya Panday recently faced heavy criticism on social media after a clip from her film Chand Mera Dil featuring a Bharatanatyam fusion performance went viral online. While many users criticised her dance moves, several Bharatanatyam artists and enthusiasts described the act as “catastrophic”. Amid the ongoing backlash, actor Chunky Panday has stepped forward in support of his daughter.

Chunky Panday Reacts to the Controversy

Chunky Panday addressed the criticism surrounding Ananya’s dance sequence and stated that people had misunderstood the purpose of the performance.

According to him, the sequence was never intended to portray pure Bharatanatyam. Instead, it was designed as a fusion performance similar to the experimental dance routines commonly performed at college cultural events. He explained that many viewers assumed it was a traditional Bharatanatyam recital and judged it from that perspective.

Chunky further added that classical Bharatanatyam requires years of discipline, precision and technical training. He described the dance form as highly structured in terms of expressions and body movements. He clarified that the performance shown in the film was a creative mix of futuristic dance styles blended with elements of traditional dance rather than a proper classical recital. He also urged audiences to watch the film and understand the context before reacting negatively.

Why Ananya Panday Faced Backlash

In Chand Mera Dil, Ananya plays Chandni, the daughter of a Bharatanatyam dancer portrayed by Charu Shankar. In the scene that sparked controversy online, Chandni chooses to perform a fusion act combining Bharatanatyam with hip-hop and locking instead of presenting a conventional classical dance performance.

However, the performance did not go down well with several viewers on social media. Many users felt the choreography failed to capture the grace and authenticity associated with Bharatanatyam.

A number of Bharatanatyam dancers and experts criticised the routine, stating that the dance form is deeply rooted in technique, tradition, geometry, musicality and emotional expression. Some also remarked that the choreography ignored the years of dedication and training usually associated with classical Bharatanatyam.

About Chand Mera Dil

Directed by Vivek Soni and produced by Dharma Productions, Chand Mera Dil is set against the backdrop of an engineering college. The film follows the story of two students, Aarav and Chandni, whose romance takes an unexpected turn when adulthood and responsibilities arrive too early in their lives.

The movie received mixed reactions from audiences and critics, which also reflected in its box office collections. In its first five days, the film managed to cross ₹13 crore but has reportedly struggled to maintain momentum at theatres.

Chunky Panday’s Upcoming Film

Meanwhile, Chunky Panday is preparing for the release of his next film Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai. Directed by David Dhawan, the film stars Varun Dhawan, Mrunal Thakur and Pooja Hegde in lead roles. It also features Rakesh Bedi, Mouni Roy and Jimmy Shergill in important roles and is scheduled to release in theatres on June 4.