‘Param Sundari’ Review: A Rom-Com That Fails to Grasp Cultural Nuance

Tushar Jalota’s latest directorial venture, Param Sundari, is a romantic comedy that aims to bridge the cultural chasm between a carefree Delhi boy and a traditional woman from Kerala. Starring Sidharth Malhotra as Param and Janhvi Kapoor as Thekkepattu Sundari Damodaram Pillai, the film’s premise is built on the predictable “opposites attract” trope, a formula that has long been a staple of Bollywood cinema. While the film delivers on its promise of stunning visuals and a catchy soundtrack, it unfortunately trips over its own cultural caricatures, leaving a lot to be desired in terms of authentic storytelling and emotional depth.

The plot follows Param, a young man from Delhi whose quest for a unique investment opportunity leads him to a dating app that promises to find one’s perfect match. To test the app’s validity, he travels to a small town in Kerala to meet his match, Sundari, a homestay owner who manages her ancestral home with her younger sister. It is here that the film attempts to set up a clash of worlds, as Param’s modern, northern sensibilities are put up against Sundari’s deeply rooted traditions. However, this promising setup quickly devolves into a series of lazy tropes and stereotypes about South Indian culture, which, as critics have pointed out, is where the film begins to lose its footing.

Janhvi Kapoor’s performance as Sundari has been a major talking point. While she looks beautiful in traditional Malayali attire, her character—dubbed “Makeupitta Sundari” in some circles for her perpetually made-up look—feels more like a collection of stereotypes than a real person. Her portrayal of a woman who practices Mohiniyattam, runs around with a billhook knife, and climbs coconut trees feels forced, as if cobbled together from a list of “exotic” Malayali traits. Her attempts at speaking Malayalam in particular have been criticized for a lack of authenticity, with her dialogue delivery sounding like it has, to borrow a phrase, been put through a coconut shredder. This lack of genuine representation undermines the film’s core premise and makes it difficult for the audience to connect with her character on an emotional level.

Sidharth Malhotra as Param delivers a dependable, albeit predictable, performance. His easy charm and screen presence, while not groundbreaking, serve the lighthearted nature of the film. The on-screen chemistry between him and Janhvi is, at best, serviceable. Despite the picturesque backdrops of Kerala, their romance never quite ignites, lacking the crackling energy needed to carry a predictable story. Supporting actors like Manjot Singh as Param’s friend and Sanjay Kapoor as his father provide some much-needed comic relief and grounded performances, but they cannot save the film from its flimsy narrative and amateurish writing.

Ultimately, Param Sundari is a visually pleasing but hollow cinematic experience. It is a film that relies on the star power of its lead actors and the aesthetic appeal of its location, but forgets to invest in a compelling story or genuine characters. While it may offer a breezy, inoffensive watch for those seeking a light rom-com, it falls far short of films that have successfully navigated cross-cultural romance with wit and sensitivity. For a film that preaches against stereotyping, it ironically relies on them at every turn, making it a predictable and, at times, cringeworthy watch.