📌 Key Points
- Ananya Panday faces social media backlash for her Bharatanatyam fusion dance in ‘Chand Mera Dil’.
- Her mentor, Sandip Soparrkar, defended her, calling criticism “absolute rubbish” and “selective outrage.”
- Soparrkar emphasized Ananya trained seriously for cinema, not a classical stage performance.
- The scene features a fusion of Bharatanatyam with hip-hop and locking, sparking debate.
Bollywood actor Ananya Panday is facing significant backlash for her Bharatanatyam fusion dance in ‘Chand Mera Dil’. Her mentor, Sandip Soparrkar, has strongly defended her, dismissing the criticism as ‘selective outrage’ and highlighting her dedication to the role.
Mentor Defends Ananya’s Fusion Performance
He added, “Ananya trained seriously, worked hard and performed exactly what was envisioned by the director and choreographer for cinema, not for a classical margam on a sabha stage. Films are about storytelling, entertainment and interpretation, not preserving pedagogy textbooks. As someone who has mentored Ananya since her Le Bal des Débutantes Paris days, I can confidently say she has shown sincerity, discipline and grace. Instead of public shaming, people should learn to appreciate effort.”
The Bharatanatyam Fusion Backlash Explained
He further advised Ananya not to be bothered by the noise on social media and added, “Art evolves. Cinema adapts. Selective outrage and two-faced behaviour need to stop. It’s time dance gurus and people stop spreading negativity and learn to appreciate efforts. @ananyapanday don’t bother about this shine on my girl, God bless you.”
In Chand Mera Dil, Ananya plays Chandni, the daughter of a Bharatanatyam dancer. The scene that has received backlash shows her character performing a fusion routine that combines Bharatanatyam with hip-hop and locking instead of presenting a traditional Bharatanatyam recital. Ananya’s moves triggered a mixed response online. While some appreciated her performance, several Bharatanatyam dancers and classical dance enthusiasts criticised both the choreography and her execution.
Artistic Evolution vs. Traditional Purity Debate
Her father, Chunky Panday, also came out in support of the actor and urged audiences to watch the film and understand the context before reacting or criticising. Meanwhile, Ananya appeared unfazed by the backlash and continued sharing pictures from her holiday in France with her sister, Rysa Panday, on social media.
This controversy highlights the ongoing debate between artistic interpretation in cinema and the preservation of traditional dance forms. Soparrkar urges critics to appreciate effort and allow art to evolve, supporting Ananya amidst the online negativity.
