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Radhika Merchant’s Bharatanatyam video goes viral again as Ananya Panday faces heat over fusion dance, watch
An old video of Radhika Merchant performing Bharatanatyam has found fresh life online amid the controversy surrounding Ananya Panday and her dance sequence in Chand Mera Dil. While Ananya’s fusion act became the subject of heavy trolling and criticism from classical dance lovers, many netizens began circulating Radhika’s clip, praising its grace and authenticity.
Radhika Merchant’s Elegant Performance Captures Attention
The resurfaced video shows Radhika Merchant taking the stage dressed in traditional Bharatanatyam costume and jewellery. As the music and alap unfold in the background, she begins performing the ancient dance form known for its discipline, expression, and intricate storytelling.
With poised movements, expressive mudras, rhythmic footwork, and controlled posture, Radhika’s recital reflects the essence of Bharatanatyam, one of India’s most celebrated classical dance traditions that originated in Tamil Nadu’s temples.
Watch: Radhika Merchant gracefully performing Bharatanatyam 😇
A sacred Hindu tradition that Bollywood is now disrespectfully distorting……
Why is disrespect toward Hindu culture becoming so normalized? pic.twitter.com/vxwp76kNDQ
— FalconUpdatesHQ (@FalconUpdatesHQ) May 25, 2026
The performance is reportedly from her Arangetram ceremony held on June 5, 2022, at the Jio World Centre. The event was hosted by Mukesh Ambani and Nita Ambani years before Radhika married Anant Ambani.
Years Of Training Behind The Viral Clip
Radhika reportedly trained in Bharatanatyam for over eight years under her guru Bhavana Thakar before presenting her Arangetram — the first solo performance by a classical dancer. The ceremony symbolised her formal initiation into the traditional art form and upheld the longstanding guru-shishya parampara associated with Indian classical arts.
She is also considered the second Bharatanatyam enthusiast in the Ambani family after Nita Ambani, who is herself a trained dancer.
Why Ananya Panday’s Dance Triggered Criticism
The renewed attention around Radhika’s performance comes shortly after Ananya Panday’s dance sequence in Chand Mera Dil sparked backlash online. In the film, Ananya plays Chandni, daughter of a Bharatanatyam dancer portrayed by Charu Shankar.
The scene that went viral features Chandni opting for a fusion performance combining Bharatanatyam with hip-hop and locking instead of a conventional classical presentation.
pic.twitter.com/MxVdFWI9TC Ananya Panday’s awkward Bharatanatyam performance beside a Nataraja idol, calling it a disrespectful distortion of the sacred classical dance form.
The clip has sparked massive backlash.#AnanyaPanday #GetReadyForPeddi #Hellallallo— Rudra Pratap Singh (@RudraPrata25935) May 26, 2026
However, several viewers and classical dancers felt the choreography lacked refinement and failed to do justice to the traditional form.
I haven’t seen the movie, so assuming that #AnanyaPanday is supposed to perform #Bharatanatyam fusion and she is such a bad dancer that she sucked at even fusionpic.twitter.com/uMnPmu7DY7
— PopcornPassions (@popcornpassions) May 25, 2026
Bharatanatyam survived for more than 2000 years only to witness 2026 content creation culture.
The ancient art form has truly seen every era possible.#Bharatanatyam #AnanyaPanday pic.twitter.com/sHOVwlRFqF
— MK Sharma ✍️ (@EmediaManoj) May 25, 2026
Renowned dancer and Sangeet Natak Akademi Award winner Anita Ratnam strongly criticised the performance, writing, “Bharatanatyam is built on technique, control, tradition, geometry, musicality and emotional depth. This clip treats it like a wedding sangeet filmed during a mild earthquake.”
She also remarked that the choreography appeared to bulldoze through “centuries of sophistication, training, dedication and devotion”.
Soon after, several Bharatanatyam dancers echoed similar opinions on social media.
Chunky Panday Says The Performance Was Misunderstood
Amid the criticism, actor Chunky Panday defended his daughter Ananya and clarified that the sequence was never intended to represent pure Bharatanatyam.
Speaking to ETimes, Chunky said, “I think people completely misunderstood it. It was never meant to be pure Bharatanatyam. It was a fusion performance, the kind of experimental dance you often see college students perform at social or cultural events. People assumed it was traditional Bharatanatyam and started judging it from that lens.”
He further added, “But pure Bharatanatyam requires years and years of rigorous training, almost 20 years of discipline and precision. It’s extremely technical and structured, almost robotic in its movements and expressions. This is a fusion of futuristic, advanced dance forms with elements of traditional dance. It’s a creative blend, not a classical recital. I would request people to watch the film and understand the context before reacting.”
