Introduction
Param Sundari brings together Sidharth Malhotra and Janhvi Kapoor in a North-meets-South romantic comedy designed to dazzle with chemistry, music, and candy-coated frames. On the surface, it is everything you would expect from a Bollywood rom-com: scenic backdrops, foot-tapping songs, and an attractive lead pair that makes every frame Instagram-ready. The first half is breezy, with moments of wit and sparks flying between the leads, almost like an ode to Shah Rukh Khan’s iconic romances.
But once the glitter fades, the cracks start to show. The second half leans heavily on clichés: misunderstandings, predictable conflicts, and a climax you can guess way before the characters do. While fans of lighthearted love stories may still find it enjoyable, those craving depth will feel something missing. In short, Param Sundari is glossy, playful, and charming at times, but like cotton candy, it dissolves before you’ve had your fill.
Directed by Tushar Jalota and produced by Dinesh Vijan’s Maddock Films, the film released in theaters on August 29, 2025, after being pushed back from its original July 25 date, and arrived on Prime Video on October 24, 2025. Here is our full breakdown of the story, the cast, the music, the critical response, and whether it is worth your time.
Quick Facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Title | Param Sundari |
| Director | Tushar Jalota |
| Writers | Tushar Jalota, Gaurav Mishra, Aarsh Vora |
| Producer | Dinesh Vijan (Maddock Films) |
| Starring | Sidharth Malhotra, Janhvi Kapoor |
| Also Starring | Sanjay Kapoor, Renji Panicker, Manjot Singh, Siddhartha Shankar, Abhishek Banerjee, Inayat Verma |
| Music | Sachin–Jigar |
| Lyrics | Amitabh Bhattacharya |
| Cinematography | Santhana Krishnan Ravichandran |
| Genre | Romantic Comedy |
| Language | Hindi (with Malayalam dialogue) |
| Runtime | 136 minutes (2 hours 16 minutes) |
| Certification | U/A |
| Theatrical Release | August 29, 2025 |
| OTT Release | Prime Video, from October 24, 2025 |
| Reported Budget | About ₹60 crore |
Overview
Param Sachdev (Sidharth Malhotra) is a Delhi-based Punjabi investor, the spoiled son of a wealthy industrialist, who keeps chasing new start-up ideas. His latest is an app called Soulmates, which claims to go beyond the usual dating apps and find a person’s perfect match using advanced technology. When his father, Parmeet (Sanjay Kapoor), loses patience with this expensive passion project, Param decides to prove the app works by testing it on himself.
The algorithm points him to Thekkepattu Sundari Damodharan Pillai (Janhvi Kapoor), who runs a homestay in a small town in Kerala near Alappuzha. Param travels south with his best friend Jaggi (Manjot Singh) and checks in as a guest, without telling Sundari the real reason for his visit. Sundari is raising her younger sister Ammu (Inayat Verma), her protective uncle Bhargavan (Renji Panicker) is wary of the outsider, and there is already a suitor in the picture. As Param and Sundari clash over culture, language, and pride, sparks fly, until the truth about why he came to Kerala threatens to undo it all.
The Cast and Characters
- Sidharth Malhotra as Param Sachdev: The charming, entitled Delhi boy who treats love like an investment. Critics say Malhotra brings charm and a little more comic timing than his co-star, though a few found him short on spark.
- Janhvi Kapoor as Thekkepattu Sundari Damodharan Pillai: A feisty, grounded homestay owner. Several reviewers say Kapoor is at her best in emotional and dramatic scenes, though her comic timing and Malayalam diction drew criticism and online trolling before and after release.
- Sanjay Kapoor as Parmeet Sachdev: Param’s father, whose dare sets the story in motion. Many reviews single him out as a highlight.
- Renji Panicker as Bhargavan Nair: Sundari’s uncle, who is hostile toward Param.
- Siddhartha Shankar as Venu Nair: A figure from Sundari’s world whose presence complicates Param’s mission.
- Manjot Singh as Jaggi: Param’s loyal friend and travel companion, who supplies much of the comic relief.
- Abhishek Banerjee as Shekhar
- Inayat Verma as Ammu: Sundari’s younger sister, who is warmer to Param from the start.
Behind the Scenes
Param Sundari was announced by Maddock Films in December 2024, with first-look posters of Sidharth Malhotra and Janhvi Kapoor and a July 25, 2025 release date. It marks the first on-screen pairing of the two leads. Dinesh Vijan, the producer, described it as the kind of film Mani Ratnam used to make, comparing the music and the North-meets-South conflict to Saathiya. Tushar Jalota, who previously directed Dasvi, makes his romantic-comedy debut here.
- Locations: The shoot took place in Kerala, with scenes in Alappuzha, Changanassery, Athirappilly Falls, Munnar, and Kochi, as well as in Mumbai. The film is set in a fictional small town near Alappuzha, and the backwaters are a constant presence.
- The delay: The film was moved from July 25 to August 29, 2025, after the surprise success of the romance Saiyaara reshaped the release calendar.
- The release: After its theatrical run, it became available to rent on Prime Video on October 10, 2025, and streamed for all Prime members from October 24, 2025.
- On set: Janhvi shared a behind-the-scenes video of the “Pardesiya” shoot, calling it a relaxed day by Param Sundari standards, with spicy fish curry and a bike ride, and Sidharth called it one of his favorite love songs to shoot.
The Music
Music is arguably the film’s strongest asset. Sachin–Jigar’s soundtrack, with lyrics by Amitabh Bhattacharya, was a big part of the film’s pre-release buzz, and several critics say the songs are the main reason to watch.
| Song | Singers |
|---|---|
| Pardesiya | Sonu Nigam, Krishnakali Saha, Sachin–Jigar |
| Bheegi Saree | Shreya Ghoshal, Adnan Sami, Sachin–Jigar |
| Danger | Vishal Dadlani, Parvathi Meenakshi, Sachin–Jigar |
| Sunn Mere Yaar Ve | Aditya Rikhari, Sachin–Jigar |
| Chand Kagaz Ka | Vishal Mishra, Sachin–Jigar |
| Sundari Ke Pyar Mein | Sumonto Mukherjee, Sachin–Jigar |
“Pardesiya,” the first single, became an early chartbuster and was released in July 2025, ahead of the film. The composers described it as a song meant to slow-dance with love again. Reviewers also single out “Danger” and the title track “Sundari Ke Pyar Mein.” A few critics, however, felt the songs were more central than the story itself, as if the film had been built around them.
What Works
The first half. The opening stretch is light, quick, and playful, with a few witty moments and some real chemistry in the early scenes between the leads.
The look. The film is a visual treat, with Kerala’s backwaters and greenery photographed in a postcard-pretty style. Several critics call the cinematography and the costumes, especially Sundari’s saris, the best part of the film.
The music. From “Pardesiya” to “Danger,” the soundtrack gives the film its most memorable moments.
The supporting cast. Sanjay Kapoor draws praise as Param’s father, and Manjot Singh and Inayat Verma add warmth and humor.
The premise. A matchmaking algorithm that points a Delhi boy to a Kerala homestay is a decent hook, and a scene in which Param’s father tells him that love cannot be found on an app is one of the film’s more touching moments.
What Doesn’t
A predictable second half. After a breezy start, the story leans on clichés: misunderstandings, a reveal that upsets the heroine, a rival, and a climax built around the Onam boat race. Most critics say you can guess where it is going.
Chemistry. This is the film’s most common complaint. Several reviewers say the leads look good together but do not generate the spark a romance needs, and that the film struggles to sell the love story.
Stereotypes about Kerala. Some of the sharpest criticism is aimed at the film’s portrayal of Kerala, with jasmine flowers, Mohiniyattam, coconut trees, toddy, and a tourist-brochure checklist of “Kerala culture,” all seen through a North Indian lens. Reviewers from Kerala and national outlets alike say the setting feels like a backdrop rather than a place.
Weak writing. Critics describe the screenplay as routine, with ordinary dialogues, rushed comic scenes, and a love story with no novelty.
Echoes of an older film. Several reviews compare the film unfavorably to Chennai Express, saying it follows the same North-meets-South formula without finding its own identity.
The Controversy: Kerala, Stereotypes, and the Trailer
Param Sundari was in the news for reasons other than its songs well before release, and any honest review has to mention it.
- The trailer backlash: The trailer, which reportedly passed 45 million YouTube views, drew a wave of criticism from Malayali viewers and creators. Many objected to Sundari’s accent and diction, the jasmine flowers, Mohiniyattam, Kalaripayattu, boat races, and coconut-tree climbing that the trailer seemed to treat as everyday activity, and the way the character was written overall.
- The name: Sundari introduces herself as Thekkepaatil or Thekkapetta Sundari Damodaran Pillai, and viewers noted that the way it was pronounced sounded like a Malayalam slang phrase meaning “betrayed” or “jilted,” which became a source of memes.
- Casting: Singer and RJ Pavithra Menon was among those who asked why a Malayali actress was not cast in the role. She has said her criticism was not aimed at Janhvi Kapoor personally.
- Takedowns: Several Malayali creators said their reaction videos were removed from Instagram after copyright notices from Maddock Films, which added to the anger online.
- The response: Janhvi Kapoor defended the role in interviews, saying the character was written as half-Malayali and half-Tamilian and that she grew up admiring Malayalam cinema. Renji Panicker, one of the Malayali actors in the film, said the film was meant to be fun and that the makers did not intend to portray Malayalis in a bad light, adding that attempts to speak Hindi would sound funny to Hindi speakers too.
- Comparisons: Many commentators compared the controversy to Chennai Express (2013), which also used regional stereotypes and accents. Others argued that the new film got more backlash because of social media, even though Chennai Express had more star power.
Whether this matters to you is a matter of taste, but it explains why many reviewers, especially from Kerala, were harsher on the film than critics who judged it purely as a light rom-com.
Critical Response
Param Sundari has drawn a mixed bag of reactions from critics. Many found it enjoyable in parts, while others felt it did not live up to the promise of a refreshing rom-com. Overall, the film’s reviews are described as mixed to negative.
The favorable end
- Bollywood Hungama praised the film’s lighthearted treatment, giving it 3.5/5 stars and calling it a breezy entertainer that, despite following a familiar formula, connects with younger audiences through its music, emotions, and feel-good vibe. They also noted that it has the potential for a decent theatrical run.
- News18’s Yatamanyu Narain, also awarding 3.5/5 stars, described the film as “comfort food cinema”: not groundbreaking, but heartwarming and satisfying in its simplicity. He likened it to everyday favorites like paneer butter masala or idli-sambar, predictable yet deeply comforting.
- Times Now gave it 3/5, calling it a visual and musical treat with breathtaking Kerala locations, and a balanced film at just over two hours.
- The Times of India’s Dhaval Roy also gave it 3/5, pointing to the picturesque Kerala backdrops, tender moments, and Sachin–Jigar’s music as the film’s strengths.
The middle
- Firstpost’s Lachmi Deb Roy, with 2/5 stars, noted the film’s attempt to address modern issues like algorithm-driven relationships but felt it got tiring with forced cuteness towards the end.
- Free Press Journal called it a visually beautiful film where the soul is missing, and said the biggest problem is the leads’ chemistry.
- Film Information called it a below-average story with a routine, predictable screenplay, though it expected the music to bring audiences to cinemas initially.
The critical end
- The Indian Express’s Shubhra Gupta was sharper, giving 1.5/5 stars and pointing out the lack of chemistry between the leads and weak writing.
- Hindustan Times’ Rishabh Suri rated it only 0.5/5, stating that the movie fails to capture the essence of love or comedy, and that no algorithm can save a film that does not make the audience feel anything.
- The Hollywood Reporter India’s Rahul Desai criticized the film as a “soulless, derivative rom-com,” arguing it lacked its own identity and wasted the potential of its love-triangle plot.
- Gulf News called it a spectacular misfire and more cultural caricature than romance.
- Scroll, The Quint, Outlook India, and Madhyamam were also critical, with much of the criticism centered on the film’s stereotyped view of Kerala.
- Feminism in India described it as an uninspired knock-off of Chennai Express that spends more time caricaturing its South Indian characters than developing its plot.
Audience score: The film holds around 5.5 on IMDb.
Box Office
Param Sundari opened with about ₹7.25 crore net on its first day, with a worldwide gross of roughly ₹43 crore after its opening weekend, but it dropped sharply on its first Monday. According to tracker figures, it finished with an India net collection of about ₹51.3 crore and a worldwide gross of about ₹84.3 crore, including roughly ₹23 crore from overseas. Against a reported budget of around ₹60 crore, it was widely treated as an average-to-underperforming release rather than a hit.
Where to Watch
Param Sundari is streaming on Prime Video in India and in more than 200 countries and territories. It first became available to rent on October 10, 2025, before streaming for all Prime members from October 24, 2025. It is a Hindi film, so check Prime Video’s language and subtitle options for your region.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- A breezy, playful first half with a few witty moments.
- Gorgeous visuals, with Kerala’s backwaters and Janhvi Kapoor’s saris photographed beautifully.
- A strong soundtrack from Sachin–Jigar, led by “Pardesiya,” “Danger,” and the title track.
- Sanjay Kapoor and the supporting cast add warmth and humor.
- A short runtime of 2 hours 16 minutes, with a light, easy tone.
- An appealing “algorithm meets real life” hook.
Cons
- A predictable second half built on clichés and familiar misunderstandings.
- Lukewarm chemistry between the leads, the most repeated complaint in reviews.
- A caricatured, tourist-brochure portrayal of Kerala.
- Weak, routine writing, with ordinary dialogue.
- It feels like a close copy of the North-meets-South template from earlier films.
- Comic timing and Malayalam diction drew criticism and online trolling.
Similar Films
- Chennai Express: The film critics compared it to most often, with a North-meets-South romance and a road trip.
- 2 States: Another North-meets-South love story, with a stronger family drama.
- Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahani: A cultural-clash romance with bigger emotional stakes.
- Jab We Met: A classic Bollywood romance for a lighter journey-and-love story.
Our Take
Here at The Review Shelf, we think Param Sundari is a film that is easier to enjoy than to defend. Taken as a piece of pure packaging, it works: the locations are lovely, Sidharth Malhotra and Janhvi Kapoor look the part, and the soundtrack gives you a few songs you will likely replay after the credits roll. The first half moves briskly, and there are moments where the banter and the scenery almost make you forget how familiar the story is.
The trouble is that a rom-com lives or dies on its romance, and here the spark never fully catches. By the second half, the script reaches for every cliché in the book, and the film’s version of Kerala feels like a collection of postcards rather than a place with its own life. That does not make it unwatchable, but it does mean it will not stay with you.
Our advice: if you want a light, pretty, music-heavy one-time watch and you are not too bothered by the stereotypes, it is a pleasant way to spend two hours on Prime Video. If you want a romance with real chemistry, a fresh story, or a sensitive look at the culture it portrays, there are better films to spend your evening on.
Final Verdict
Param Sundari has the ingredients of a crowd-pleasing rom-com: two attractive leads, a hummable soundtrack, and some of the prettiest locations in Indian cinema. The first half is breezy and fun, and a few supporting performances add real warmth. But the second half falls back on clichés, the chemistry never quite catches fire, and its view of Kerala feels more like a postcard than a place.
It works best as comfort viewing for fans of the genre, ideally with the songs turned up and expectations turned down. Those who want depth, originality, or a love story that makes them feel something will likely find it as sweet and as short-lived as cotton candy.
Rating: 5.5/10 — Glossy, playful, and charming at times, but undone by predictable writing and uneven chemistry. (Provisional, based on critic and audience reception.)
FAQs
When did Param Sundari release? August 29, 2025, in theaters, after being pushed back from July 25, 2025. It reached Prime Video on October 24, 2025.
Who stars in Param Sundari? Sidharth Malhotra and Janhvi Kapoor, with Sanjay Kapoor, Renji Panicker, Manjot Singh, Siddhartha Shankar, Abhishek Banerjee, and Inayat Verma in supporting roles.
Who directed Param Sundari? Tushar Jalota, who also co-wrote the film with Gaurav Mishra and Aarsh Vora.
What is Param Sundari about? A Delhi investor tests a soulmate-matching app on himself and is matched with a homestay owner in Kerala, leading to a North-meets-South romance full of cultural clashes.
Who composed the music of Param Sundari? Sachin–Jigar, with lyrics by Amitabh Bhattacharya.
What are the popular songs in Param Sundari? “Pardesiya,” “Bheegi Saree,” “Danger,” “Sunn Mere Yaar Ve,” “Chand Kagaz Ka,” and “Sundari Ke Pyar Mein.”
Where can I watch Param Sundari? On Prime Video.
How long is Param Sundari? 136 minutes, or 2 hours and 16 minutes.
Is Param Sundari based on a true story? No, it is an original screenplay.
Where was Param Sundari filmed? Mainly in Kerala, including Alappuzha, Changanassery, Athirappilly Falls, Munnar, and Kochi, with some shooting in Mumbai.
Why was Param Sundari delayed? It was originally set for July 25, 2025, but was moved to August 29, 2025, after the release calendar shifted around the success of Saiyaara.
Why was there controversy around Param Sundari? The trailer drew criticism from many Malayali viewers and creators over its stereotyped portrayal of Kerala, Janhvi Kapoor’s Malayalam, and the name of her character. Some creators also said their reaction videos were taken down after copyright notices.
Is Param Sundari similar to Chennai Express? Critics often compare the two, since both are North-meets-South romances with regional stereotypes, though Param Sundari is set in Kerala and leans more on music and visuals.
Was Param Sundari a hit or a flop? It earned about ₹51 crore net in India and ₹84 crore worldwide on a reported budget of around ₹60 crore, and it was treated as an average-to-underperforming release.
Why was Param Sundari criticized? Mainly for weak chemistry between the leads, a predictable script, and a stereotyped portrayal of Kerala and its culture.
Is Param Sundari worth watching? If you enjoy light, music-driven rom-coms and are not looking for depth, it is a decent one-time watch. If you want a fresh story, strong chemistry, or a sensitive portrayal of Kerala, it may disappoint.