“Spare Our Culture, Bollywood”: Netizens Troll Ananya Panday’s Bharatnatyam in Chand Mera Dil

Social media users are criticizing actress Ananya Panday for her Bharatnatyam performance in the song Chand Mera Dil. Many people say her dance does not respect the traditional form of Bharatnatyam, which is a classical Indian dance with strict rules and deep cultural meaning.
Comments online call out what they see as a wrong or careless portrayal. Some users wrote, “Spare our culture, Bollywood,” worrying that big films are simplifying or misusing traditional art just to look modern or attractive.

Bharatnatyam comes from Tamil Nadu and has been practiced for centuries. It requires years of training, proper hand gestures, footwork, and expression. Critics feel that when actors without proper training perform it in movies, it can mislead audiences and disrespect the art form.
Ananya Panday is a popular young actress known for her roles in Bollywood films. While she has tried dancing in different styles, this performance has sparked debate about how classical arts should be shown in mainstream cinema.
The conversation highlights a bigger issue: how to balance entertainment with cultural respect. Many hope that in the future, Bollywood will work with trained artists and show traditional dances in a more accurate and honoring way.