Chand Mera Dil: Ananya Panday, Lakshya to lead Dharma Productions' first movie after deal

The cast announcement for Karan Johar's new film, Chand Mera Dil, faced criticism for nepotism. While some fans expressed excitement.

Published on: Nov 7, 2024, 14:07:02 IST

By Soumya Srivastava

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Karan Johar's Dharma Productions have announced their next project: a romantic drama titled Chand Mera Dil. The movie will star Ananya Panday and Lakshya and will be directed by Vivek Soni.

Chand Mera Dil will star Ananya Panday and Lakshya in the lead roles.

Sharing four posters from the movie, Karan Johar wrote in an Instagram post, “We have two chands ready to bring an intense & passionate love story like no other!!!🌙 Pyaar mein thoda paagal hona hi padta hai...🫶🏻 Chand Mera Dil, starring Ananya Panday & Lakshya. Directed by Vivek Soni. Coming to cinemas in 2025.” The posters show Ananya and Lakshya sharing romantic moments.

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A post shared by Karan Johar (@karanjohar)

Not everyone was happy about the cast announcement, bringing back the ‘nepo’ casting criticism. “Always The Same Face For Lead Role 😒 Relatives Cast in everywhere,” wrote a person. “Flop - these two domt suit at all in terms of chemistry - Karan will never learn not to use nepos," wrote another. “Karan you have to stop using nepos,” read another comment.

A few were excited to watch Ananya on screen again. “I really came to love anaya's movies,” wrote a person. Others wished the film's team good luck.

Ananya and Lakshay's movies

Ananya was last seen in CTRL and Call Me Bae. While CTRL was a cautionary tale about AI and social media overuse by director Vikramaditya Motwane, Call Me Bae was a frothy riches to rag series about a Delhi girl's adventures in Mumbai.

Lakshya was seen in Dharma Productions' Kill.

About Dharma Poonawalla deal

Indian pharmaceutical tycoon Adar Poonawalla has invested $119 million into one of Bollywood's biggest production companies, a boost to a film industry that has suffered from waning audience interest.

The deal gives Poonawalla's Serene Production a 50-percent stake in Dharma Productions, the producer and distributor of some of India's biggest movie blockbusters.

Prolific filmmaker and talk show host Karan Johar, whose father founded the production company in the 1970s, will retain the remaining share and serve as executive chairman.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Soumya Srivastava
Soumya Srivastava is the Entertainment and Lifestyle Editor at Hindustan Times, bringing over a decade of experience covering movies, celebrities, pop culture, and everything that feels current and compelling. With a sharp editorial lens and an instinct for what resonates, she writes stories that balance insight with accessibility — whether she’s reporting from a red carpet, reviewing a buzzy new release, or unpacking the craft behind cinema. An unabashed Swiftie and a devoted admirer of Christopher Nolan’s filmmaking, Soumya blends heart and analysis in equal measure. She holds a degree in English Literature from Janki Devi Memorial College, Delhi University, and is an alumna of IIMC Dhenkanal (2013). As a Rotten Tomatoes Certified Film Critic, her reviews reflect credibility, cultural awareness, and a nuanced understanding of storytelling across genres and formats. She has interviewed celebrities like Celine Song, Zoya Akhtar, Kajol, Shabana Azmi, Pankaj Tripathi and more. She has also reviwes hundreds of movies and written thousands of stories, made videos, special columns and more. While films remain her first love, Soumya’s interests extend deeply into lifestyle and design. She is particularly drawn to décor, thoughtfully designed spaces, and the subtle ways aesthetics influence everyday living. From celebrity homes and interior trends to broader lifestyle movements, she enjoys exploring how personal taste intersects with identity and modern culture. Her voice is informed yet relatable, analytical yet warm — making her work engaging for a wide and diverse readership. Through her writing, Soumya continues to shape conversations around entertainment, lifestyle, and contemporary culture.Read More

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