The controversy over ‘Chand Mera Dil’
Ananya Panday’s dance sequence in the upcoming film ‘Chand Mera Dil’ has sparked a heated debate online. The Bharatanatyam-inspired performance in the song has drawn criticism from some purists who claim it dilutes the classical form. But not everyone is buying the outrage.
Veteran choreographer Sandip Soparrkar has stepped up to defend the young actor, calling the backlash “absolutely rubbish” in a strongly worded Instagram post. He argues that cinema has always taken creative liberties with classical dance, and targeting Ananya is unfair.
Sandip Soparrkar’s strong defence
Soparrkar, who has mentored Ananya in the past, didn’t hold back. He accused the “so-called gatekeepers of classical dance” of hypocrisy, pointing out that fusion and commercial dance styles have been mainstream for years without similar criticism. “Films are about storytelling, entertainment, and interpretation, not preserving pedagogy textbooks,” he wrote.
The choreographer went on to say, “Art evolves. Cinema adapts. Selective outrage and two-faced behaviour need to stop.” He directly encouraged Ananya to ignore the negativity and keep moving forward. Industry insiders reveal that Soparrkar’s defence stems from his personal experience working with the actor.
Ananya’s dedication and training
Drawing from his association with Ananya since her Le Bal des Debutantes Paris days, Soparrkar described her as “sincere, disciplined, and hard-working.” He emphasised that she trained seriously for the role and delivered exactly what the filmmakers envisioned. He urged audiences to appreciate the effort rather than publicly shame actors for experimenting with classical forms.
‘Chand Mera Dil’ marks the first on-screen pairing of Ananya Panday and Lakshya. Written by Rohan Sippy and Tushar Paranjape, based on a story by Sippy, the film features music by Sachin-Jigar. The debate continues online, but Soparrkar’s message is clear: let the artist breathe.