New Delhi: Ananya Panday’s latest romantic drama Chand Mera Dil, which has recently released in theatres, has sparked mixed reactions online. The film features Ananya Panday and Lakshya in their first on-screen pairing, but it is Ananya’s Bharatanatyam-fusion dance sequence that has drawn significant online criticism.
Following the backlash, author and columnist Shobhaa De has come out in support of the actress, questioning why the criticism is being directed only at her.
Shobhaa De Defends Ananya Panday Over Dance in Chand Mera Dil
In a video circulating on social media, Shobhaa De defended Ananya Panday, stating that the actress is not a trained Bharatanatyam dancer and therefore should not be solely blamed for the performance.
She questioned the criticism, saying that if there is any issue, it should also be directed towards the choreographer and the director rather than focusing only on the actress.
Shobhaa De also highlighted the pressure faced by young actors in the industry, adding that many performers are not trained in classical dance forms but are still expected to perform complex choreography in films.
“Not Easy to Perform Such Sequences”
She further explained that acting, lip-syncing, expressions, and dance together require significant effort. According to her, it is not easy for actors to perform such demanding sequences while still appearing flawless on screen.
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Comparing with international cinema, she pointed out that even global stars are expected to deliver visually perfect performances regardless of their training in classical art forms.
Response to Online Trolls
Shobhaa De also addressed the ongoing trolling of Ananya Panday, where the actress has been labelled with terms like “nepo natyam.” She said that while criticism is common, people should also acknowledge the effort being made.
Ananya Panday’s father, Chunky Panday, has also defended her recently, saying that the situation has been misunderstood.
About the Film
Chand Mera Dil stars Ananya Panday alongside Lakshya, who was previously seen in Aryan Khan’s The Ba**ds of Bollywood*. The film marks their first collaboration and has brought both attention and debate on social media due to its performances and dance sequences.