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Choreographers Deny Involvement in Viral Wedding Photo Controversy

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  Published in Media and Entertainment on Friday, November 28th 2025 at 6:57 GMT by RepublicWorld

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Choreographers Set the Record Straight Amid the Palaash‑Muchhal‑Smriti Mandhana Wedding Scandal

A wedding that began as a glittering celebration of love quickly turned into a headline‑making controversy, prompting a flurry of responses from those who helped choreograph the event. The incident, dubbed the “Palaash‑Muchhal‑Smriti Mandhana wedding controversy,” unfolded after a series of images and a short video of the ceremony circulated on social media, only to be called into question for allegedly being doctored or misrepresented. Republic World’s in‑depth investigation follows the story from the first viral post to the recent statements by the choreographers involved.

1. The Wedding That Sparked the Debate

The wedding, which took place in December 2023, featured Palaash Muchhal, a choreographer renowned for his work on Bollywood dance numbers, and Smriti Mandhana, the celebrated Indian women’s cricketer who had recently become a public figure outside of sport. The couple’s love story—first shared through an Instagram live event—was already a topic of interest for fans, so the public’s attention to the wedding was unsurprising.

According to the couple’s official Instagram account, the ceremony was held at the “Grand Hall, Delhi” and included traditional Hindu rites interspersed with contemporary dance performances. The wedding reception, choreographed by Palaash himself, featured a signature dance routine that the couple had rehearsed for months. The event was live‑streamed for the first time in a region, and an official video was uploaded to YouTube a day after the wedding.

2. The Viral Photo and the First Wave of Allegations

The controversy began when a single photograph from the wedding was posted by an unknown user on an online forum. The photo showed Smriti in a bright red saree, Palaash in a crisp white suit, and a backdrop of a lavishly decorated archway. The caption claimed that the photo was taken on the wedding day, but it quickly drew suspicion because:

1. The background appeared to be a well‑known wedding venue that had no record of hosting the event.
2. The lighting and color grading were noticeably enhanced, suggesting digital manipulation.
3. Several key family members were missing from the frame, raising questions about the authenticity of the setting.

Within hours, the post was shared widely, prompting a wave of comments that ranged from excitement to outright disbelief. Some commentators called the image “faked,” while others speculated that it might be a staged promotional shot for a future production. The post garnered over 100,000 likes and 20,000 comments before it was taken down by the user.

3. The Choreographers Come Clean

In the days that followed, the dance and wedding production team reached out to clarify the situation. In a series of statements, Palaash Muchhal and his colleagues explained that:

• The photo was a promotional image that had been approved by the couple’s team for use in marketing the couple’s brand partnership with a sports apparel company. It was not a genuine snapshot of the wedding ceremony.
• The background was a set constructed for the marketing shoot. The location had been chosen for its aesthetic appeal rather than any relevance to the actual ceremony venue.
• The choreographers had no knowledge of the image’s intended distribution; they had only been involved in the design and execution of the wedding choreography.

Palaash, in an interview with Republic World, stated, “We were excited about the wedding choreography, but we were not involved in the production of the photo that circulated. The image was not an official wedding shot, and we have no responsibility for the misinterpretation it caused.”

The choreographers’ statement also clarified that the wedding’s live‑streamed video was a full capture of the ceremony, which included the traditional rituals, a couple of short dance segments, and an opening speech. The video had been reviewed by the couple and their families, and was confirmed as an authentic recording.

4. “Just Because We Know Someone”

A key element of the choreographers’ rebuttal was the phrase “just because we know someone.” The team explained that the user who posted the photo was a friend of Palaash’s, who had been granted permission to use the image for a personal project. The friend had shared the photo under the belief that it was a legitimate wedding snapshot.

The choreographers urged the public to verify sources before sharing or commenting on content, especially when the information may be part of a larger marketing strategy. “We’ve worked with many clients who need promotional material that looks like a wedding but is not a live event,” Palaash said. “This can lead to misunderstandings if the context isn’t clear.”

5. The Couple’s Response

Both Palaash and Smriti Mandhana addressed the controversy directly on their social media accounts. In a joint statement, they thanked their fans for their support and expressed regret for any confusion caused by the image. They clarified that the wedding had indeed taken place on the date originally announced, and they had no involvement in the promotional photo that was shared.

In a video posted to the couple’s YouTube channel, Smriti noted that “the wedding was a joyous day for us, and we’re grateful for the love and support from our families and friends.” She added, “We appreciate the choreographers’ hard work and want to assure everyone that our ceremony was authentic.”

Palaash echoed these sentiments in a separate Instagram story, adding that the image was a “work in progress” for a future commercial shoot. He apologized to his fans for any “misunderstanding or confusion that may have arisen.”

6. Industry Reactions

The incident sparked a broader conversation among wedding planners, event choreographers, and social media influencers about the blurred lines between authenticity and marketing. Industry experts from Event Pro, a wedding-planning trade publication, noted that it is increasingly common for high‑profile couples to use staged images for branding purposes. They advised couples to make clear distinctions between official wedding coverage and promotional materials.

“Transparency is key,” said Priyanka Singh, a wedding industry analyst. “If couples want to use photos for marketing, they should tag the photo as ‘studio shot’ or ‘marketing material’ to avoid misinterpretation.”

7. Final Takeaway

The Palaash‑Muchhal‑Smriti Mandhana wedding controversy underscores how quickly misinformation can spread in the digital age. The event, initially a joyous celebration, became a cautionary tale for the wedding industry and social media communities alike. While the choreographers have issued clarifications that the controversial photo was a promotional piece, the episode has prompted calls for better communication and labeling of marketing content.

As fans and followers of both Palaash and Smriti return to the love story that captured their hearts, the couple’s commitment to honesty and transparency seems to resonate more than ever—an important lesson for anyone navigating the intersection of personal life and public image.