Ananya Panday Faces Backlash for Bharatanatyam Dance in 'Chand Mera Dil'
“Ananya Panday killed my favourite dance form, Bharatanatyam”: Congress' Shama Mohamed brutally trolls Chand Mera Dil actor, says “don’t ever insult...”
Image: The Economic Times
Ananya Panday's dance performance in 'Chand Mera Dil' has drawn severe criticism online, particularly for its portrayal of Bharatanatyam. Congress spokesperson Dr. Shama Mohamed condemned the performance, stating it disrespected the classical dance form, which she has practiced since childhood. The backlash highlights concerns over cultural representation in film.
- 01Dr. Shama Mohamed criticized Ananya Panday's dance in 'Chand Mera Dil', claiming it disrespects Bharatanatyam.
- 02The performance has been described as lacking grace and confidence, with many users mocking its execution.
- 03Panday's dance features a fusion of contemporary and Bharatanatyam, which has been met with widespread disapproval.
- 04The film 'Chand Mera Dil', directed by Vivek Soni, was released on May 22, 2026, and has received mixed reviews.
- 05Despite the criticism, the film saw a slight increase in box office earnings, totaling ₹3.65 crore on its second day.
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Ananya Panday's recent dance performance in the film 'Chand Mera Dil' has sparked significant backlash, particularly for its interpretation of Bharatanatyam. Dr. Shama Mohamed, a Congress spokesperson and Bharatanatyam practitioner since childhood, expressed her dismay on social media, stating that Panday has 'killed' the dance form with her portrayal. Critics online have echoed these sentiments, describing the performance as lacking in grace, confidence, and authenticity. Comments ranged from mocking the choreography to questioning the overall representation of Bharatanatyam, with many users calling for Panday to stop misrepresenting the art form. The film, directed by Vivek Soni and produced by Dharma Productions, had a modest box office performance, earning ₹3 crore on its opening day and increasing to ₹3.65 crore by the second day. The controversy surrounding the dance sequence has overshadowed the film's release, highlighting ongoing concerns about cultural representation in Indian cinema.
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The backlash against Ananya Panday's performance raises critical discussions about cultural representation in Indian cinema.
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More about Dharma Productions
Chand Mera Dil Surpasses ₹10 Crore in Opening Weekend Amidst Mixed Comparisons
The Indian Express • May 25, 2026
Chand Mera Dil Struggles at Box Office, Ends Weekend with ₹11 Crore
News 18 • May 25, 2026
Chand Mera Dil Sees 21.7% Growth on Day 2, Total Earnings Exceed ₹6 Crore
The Indian Express • May 24, 2026
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