Param Sundari – A Glossy Rom-Com That Tries to Play Cupid
“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’s everything you’d 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.
Cast
- Sidharth Malhotra as Param Sachdev
- Janhvi Kapoor as Thekkepattu Sundari Damodharan Pillai
- Sanjay Kapoor as Parmeet Sachdev, Param’s father
- Renji Panicker as Bhargavan Nair
- Siddhartha Shankar as Venu Nair
- Manjot Singh as Jaggi
- Abhishek Banerjee as Shekhar
- Inayat Verma as Ammu, Sundari’s sister
Critical Response – Param Sundari
Param Sundari has drawn a mixed bag of reactions from critics. Many found it enjoyable in parts, while others felt it didn’t quite live up to the promise of a refreshing rom-com.
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.
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.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 writingAt the bottom end, Hindustan Times’ Rishabh Suri rated it only 0.5/5, stating that the movie fails to capture the essence of love or comedy, and no algorithm can save a film that doesn’t make the audience feel anything.Finally, 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.