On International Dance Day 2026, celebrated choreographers Vaibhavi Merchant, Vijay Ganguly, and Chinni Prakash shared insights into the evolving landscape of dance in Hindi cinema. Vaibhavi Merchant, known for her National Award-winning choreography, highlighted the need to retain the soul of songs amidst modern influences. She reminisced about classic films like Guide (1965) and Pakeezah (1972), emphasizing that while technology has advanced, the essence of storytelling through dance remains vital. Vijay Ganguly pointed out that the shift to digital filming has impacted the depth of actor performances, stating, “What we miss now is the performance of the actor, the expression, the tehrav and ada.” He aims to revive longer shots in choreography to enhance storytelling. Chinni Prakash raised concerns over the declining duration and presence of dance in films, noting that audiences today prefer shorter content. He fears that the art of dance may become limited to social media reels rather than being an integral part of cinematic storytelling.