During a preview screening, Ahmad Tohari, the author of the novel which the film is based on, reportedly cried. He commented that the film is much more emotional than his novel, and gave his full approval and recommendation to the film.
The film took 3 years to develop, while the idea to film the novel has been around for 10 years.
Oka Antara went on a strict diet to play Rasus in order to capture "what it's like to be foolish, hungry and illiterate."
Won 4 Citra Awards in Festival Film Indonesia, Indonesian Academy Awards, 2011, for Best Film, Best Director (Ifa Isfansyah), Best Leading Actress (Prisia Nasution) and Best Supporting Actress (Dewi Irawan).
Sang Penari won 4 categories in Festival Film Indonesia: Best Picture; Best Director (Ifa Isfansyah); Best Leading Actress (Prisia Nasution); and Best Supporting Actress (Dewi Irawan).