Bollywood actress Ananya Pandey has come under fire for her recent performance of Bharatanatyam, with many classical dance enthusiasts and experts expressing outrage over what they perceive as a disrespectful rendition of the ancient art form.
Social Media Erupts with Criticism
The backlash began after a video of Pandey's performance went viral on social media. Dr. Shama Mohamed, a prominent critic, tweeted, "Ananya Pandey has killed my favorite dance form - Bharatanatyam! I have learnt it from the age of 7 to the age of 13 - did my arangetram too in Kuwait and never looked back. Classical dance needs to be studied over a period of time and cannot be manufactured for Ms. Pandey!"
Another user, Krisha, commented, "Ananya Pandey has literally turned Bharatanatyam into Bharta. Instead of proper mudras, we got robot arms; instead of abhinav expression, we got surprise emoji face; and instead of footwork, it looked like a vibrating washing machine. It feels like some AI took 2 hours of..."
Allegations of Disrespect to Cultural Heritage
Many critics accused Pandey of undermining a tradition that dates back over 2,000 years. One user, Anil Jacob, tweeted, "So tragic. Bharatanatyam, founded 200 BCE, finally met its end in 2026 thanks to Ananya Pandey. Who knew a Nataraja idol could look so betrayed? She didn't just disrespect the art form, she single-handedly canceled a 2,200-year-old cultural legacy."
Another user, HasnaZarooriHai, echoed this sentiment, stating, "Bharatanatyam was founded in 200 BCE and ended with Ananya Pandey in 2026."
Blame on Choreography and Direction
Some critics also targeted the dance director and the cast. A user named DestinY tweeted, "The dance director, cast, and everyone should be blamed for destroying Bharatanatyam so badly! Ananya Pandey is a nepo product with no acting and dancing skills!"
The controversy highlights the sensitivity surrounding classical art forms in India and the expectations placed on public figures when performing them. Many argue that Bharatanatyam requires years of rigorous training and cannot be mastered without proper dedication.
