'Chand Mera Dil': Charu Shankar defends Ananya's much-mocked dance sequence
What's the story
Charu Shankar, who plays Ananya Panday's mother in the recently released film Chand Mera Dil, has defended the controversial dance scene featuring her on-screen daughter. The scene, which showcases a fusion of Bharatanatyam and hip-hop, has been the subject of a lot of discourse and has been either criticized or defended by classical dance exponents and writers. In a recent interview with Hindustan Times, Shankar also spoke about her character Nivedita and the thought process behind the much-criticized scene.
Scene defense
'Trolling is never in good taste': Shankar
Shankar defended the much-mocked dance scene, saying it was an important part of Panday's character's introduction. She said, "I think everyone is entitled to their opinion, but trolling is never in good taste. Conversations around art are valid. Mockery is not." "The sequence being discussed was always conceived as a contemporary, edgy breakout introduction for Chandni's character." "In the film's visual storytelling, this moment announces the arrival of a young woman who is not afraid to break the rules."
Character insight
Shankar on her character Nivedita
In Chand Mera Dil, Shankar's character is a single mother who rebuilds her life after her husband leaves. She explains, "She used dance to recreate a life for herself and her daughter with dignity, discipline, and grace." "That resilience sits at the core of who she is. Outwardly, she is always elegant and composed- the sarees, the stylized hand gestures, the calm way in which she speaks." "But when it comes down to it, she is deeply formidable."
On-screen chemistry
'Both Ananya and I were deeply committed to this process...'
Shankar also revealed that she and Panday bonded over their shared commitment to the process of learning dance for their roles. "Both Ananya and I were deeply committed to this process, and we really bonded through it," she said. "The fact that both of our characters are dancers became psychologically very important to me." "I felt that her daughter inherits not just an art form from Nivedita, but also resilience, dignity, and courage." Meanwhile, the film also stars Lakshya.