Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions has unveiled its upcoming project, Chand Mera Dil, a romantic drama directed by Vivek Soni. The film will star Ananya Panday and Lakshya, with first-look posters recently released. Johar teased the film’s intense love story on social media, describing the duo as “two chands ready to bring an intense & passionate love story like no other!” He added, “it’s a must to be a little bit crazy in love” hinting at a narrative filled with romance and passion. The posters feature Ananya and Lakshya sharing intimate, romantic moments, adding to the buzz around the project.
The film marks an exciting new chapter for Dharma Productions following a significant deal with Indian pharmaceutical tycoon Adar Poonawalla, who invested $119 million into the company. This deal gives Poonawalla’s Serene Production a 50 percent stake in Dharma Productions, signalling a major boost to Bollywood, particularly after the industry struggled with waning audience interest in recent years. Despite this, the cast announcement has generated mixed reactions.
While many are curious to see Ananya and Lakshya on-screen together, some fans have voiced their discontent over the choice of cast, with accusations of “nepo” casting resurfacing. One X user commented, “Always the same face for lead role. Relatives cast everywhere,” while another wrote, “These two don’t suit at all in terms of chemistry. Karan will never learn not to use nepotism.” However, other fans expressed their excitement for Ananya’s return to the screen, with one writing, “I really came to love Ananya’s movies.”
Ananya was last seen in CTRL and Call Me Bae, two very different projects. In CTRL, directed by Vikramaditya Motwane, she explored the consequences of AI and social media addiction. Call Me Bae, on the other hand, was a light-hearted series following a wealthy Delhi girl in Mumbai. Fans are now eagerly awaiting her next move, with Chand Mera Dil poised to be a significant moment in her career.
