Param Sundari, starring Sidharth Malhotra and Janhvi Kapoor, arrives as a glossy romantic comedy that blends culture-clash tropes with Kerala’s postcard-perfect backdrops. Despite charming leads and striking visuals, the film struggles to balance its rom-com ambitions with a fresh story, leaving audiences with a pleasant but hollow experience.
A Love Story Built on Familiar Tropes
At its core, Param Sundari is the story of Param (Sidharth Malhotra), a Punjabi tech entrepreneur who travels to Kerala to test a soulmate-matching app, and Sundari (Janhvi Kapoor), a Mohiniyattam dancer running a homestay. Their worlds collide in the quaint backwaters, but the cultural differences—and an impending arranged marriage with Sundari’s childhood friend—form the main hurdles to their romance.
While the premise promises a lively cross-cultural love story, the screenplay relies heavily on clichés. From touristy depictions of Kerala’s traditions to predictable “DDLJ-style” moments, the film rarely rises above formula. The rom-com beats are present, but the spark between the leads feels muted.
Performances and Chemistry
Sidharth Malhotra looks effortlessly stylish, especially in sequences where he gets the chance to show off his action-hero persona in unexpected ways (yes, even climbing a coconut tree for love). Janhvi Kapoor throws herself into the role with commitment, particularly in her dance sequences, though her Malayali accent often feels more studied than natural.
Individually, both leads are easy on the eyes, but together they don’t quite ignite the screen. Interestingly, it’s the supporting cast—Manjot Singh as Param’s goofy friend, Renji Panicker as Sundari’s stern uncle, and Inayat Verma as Sundari’s precocious sister—that injects real energy into the narrative.
A Visual Treat That Overdoes the Stereotypes
One of the film’s undeniable strengths is its setting. Kerala’s lush greenery, backwaters, and traditional festivities are captured in sweeping frames, giving the movie a vibrant aesthetic. However, the film overindulges in stereotypes: Kathakali masks, Onam rituals, elephant rides, and boat races are all checked off like items on a tourist brochure rather than woven meaningfully into the story.
Instead of adding depth, these elements often distract from the romance and underline Bollywood’s recurring issue of treating South Indian culture as an exotic backdrop.
Music and Pop Culture References
The soundtrack by Sachin-Jigar offers a few pleasant tunes, including Pardesiya, which has the nostalgic charm of 90s melodies. The film is also dotted with references to Shah Rukh Khan classics, positioning itself almost as a love letter to Bollywood romances of the past. But these winks to Dil Toh Pagal Hai and Chennai Express only highlight the film’s lack of originality rather than elevating its charm.
Final Verdict
Param Sundari is a glossy, well-intentioned rom-com that coasts on the good looks of its leads and the beauty of its setting but never finds its emotional core. It tries to merge cultural comedy, family drama, and pop-culture nostalgia, but the result feels stretched and uninspired. For die-hard fans of Sidharth Malhotra and Janhvi Kapoor, the film offers enough moments to enjoy, but as cinema, it doesn’t linger.
Bullseye Rating:★★½ (2.5/5 stars)
Sidharth Malhotra and Janhvi Kapoor’s rom-com set in Kerala delivers pretty visuals but lacks spark. Despite cultural flavors and a promising setup, the film struggles to rise above clichés.
The movie is currently in theatres.
