Param Sundari Review: A Colorful Love Story with Mixed Results
Bollywood released another big romantic comedy this festive season with Param Sundari. The film stars Sidharth Malhotra and Janhvi Kapoor in lead roles. The story brings together two people from very different worlds—Param from North India and Sundari from Kerala. The movie mixes romance, cultural clashes, and comedy. Fans expected a fresh rom-com, and the film arrived with plenty of buzz.
Let us go through the story, acting, music, reviews, controversies, and how the film has performed since release.
Story and Premise
The film follows Param Sachdev, played by Sidharth Malhotra, a fun and easygoing man. He falls in love with Sundari Damodaram Pillai, played by Janhvi Kapoor, a disciplined and traditional woman from Kerala. Their love story faces many challenges because of cultural differences.
The director, Tushar Jalota, tried to show a clash between North Indian and South Indian lifestyles. The story includes humorous events, arguments between families, and many dramatic situations before the couple can find their happiness.
The makers positioned the film as a modern but also nostalgic Bollywood romance. Many scenes clearly pay tribute to Shah Rukh Khan’s classic romantic films.
Release and Opening Day Buzz
The film was scheduled for July but finally released on 29 August 2025. It came during the Ganesh Chaturthi festive season, which usually helps films at the box office. Trade analysts expected the film to open strongly, with predictions of 7–10 crore net collections on the first day.
However, the opening day numbers looked weaker. By midday, collections stood below 1 crore. By evening, the film collected about 3.4 crore. The numbers were lower than expected, but industry experts believed word of mouth could improve the weekend performance.
Performances and On-Screen Chemistry
The biggest strength of the film lies in the pairing of Sidharth Malhotra and Janhvi Kapoor. Their chemistry feels natural, warm, and believable. Many viewers called it the highlight of the movie. The romantic scenes connect with the audience, and the actors manage to make even average scenes enjoyable.
Sidharth plays Param with charm and humor. Janhvi gives Sundari a mix of strictness and softness. Together they create a lively love story that keeps the audience invested.
Still, some critics complained about Janhvi’s accent and delivery in certain scenes. A few felt her character looked more glamorous than rooted in Kerala culture. Others said Sidharth looked a bit too polished for his small-town background. But overall, the performances lifted the film.
Reviews: The Good and the Not-So-Good
Positive Points
- Many reviewers called the film light, fun, and entertaining.
- The first half moves quickly with humor and colorful visuals.
- The chemistry of the lead pair makes the romance believable.
- The music adds freshness and energy to the story.
Weaknesses
- Several critics pointed out that the second half slows down.
- Some said the comedy looked forced rather than natural.
- A few reviews criticized the story for using stereotypes about South Indian culture.
- Others felt the writing lacked emotional depth, making the characters less memorable.
In simple terms, audiences who wanted a stress-free, colorful film enjoyed Param Sundari. But those looking for a deeper, more meaningful love story walked away disappointed.
Music: The Real Hero of the Film
The soundtrack of Param Sundari became a talking point even before the release. Sachin-Jigar composed the music, and Amitabh Bhattacharya wrote the lyrics. The album mixes soulful melodies with high-energy dance tracks.
Songs like “Pardesiya” and “Bheegi Saree” already gained popularity on streaming platforms. Sonu Nigam, Adnan Sami, and Shreya Ghoshal added strong vocals to the tracks. The music fits well into the film and often lifts weak scenes.
While most critics praised the album, some said a couple of songs felt repetitive. Still, the music remains one of the biggest reasons audiences connect with the movie.
Controversies and Cultural Debate
The film faced criticism even before release. The trailer drew backlash from many Malayali viewers who felt the film used clichés to show South Indian culture. The scenes looked like a surface-level version of Kerala traditions rather than real representation.
Some social media users accused the makers of ignoring feedback and even removing critical posts. This created a debate about how Bollywood often reduces South Indian characters to stereotypes.
Another controversy started when the trailer mentioned Telugu star Allu Arjun as a “No. 1 hero.” Fans of rival actors reacted strongly, and online fan wars broke out. These controversies created buzz, but they also distracted from the film’s main story.
Box Office Performance
The film had a slow start on day one. Collections stood at about 3.4 crore nett, which was below industry expectations. Trade experts believe the festive weekend will decide the film’s fate. If families and young audiences spread positive word of mouth, the film may stabilize.
The makers will also benefit from music revenue and satellite rights. Even if theatrical collections remain modest, the film will find its audience on digital platforms.
OTT Release and Digital Future
Reports suggest Param Sundari will stream on Prime Video after an eight-week theatrical window. This means the film could arrive online by the end of October 2025. For many viewers, the OTT release will be the real chance to watch the movie without worrying about ticket prices.
Given its colorful visuals and catchy music, the film may perform better on streaming platforms, where audiences often look for light entertainers.
Audience Reactions
Social media showed mixed reactions after the release. Some viewers loved the fresh pairing of Sidharth and Janhvi, calling it a “breezy entertainer.” Others complained about shallow writing and cultural insensitivity.
On forums, some users said the film “grows on you” after the first half hour. Many agreed that the romantic scenes felt genuine, while the comedy looked overdone. Overall, the audience reaction sits somewhere between average and positive.
Final Verdict
Param Sundari offers a colorful love story with strong music and lively performances. The chemistry of Sidharth Malhotra and Janhvi Kapoor keeps the film engaging. The songs add charm and energy. The festive setting makes it an easy pick for viewers who want lighthearted entertainment.
At the same time, the film struggles with clichés, weak writing, and stereotypes. The second half drags, and some jokes feel forced. Serious viewers who expect emotional depth may not enjoy it.
In short, the movie works best for audiences who want a fun, stress-free film with romance, dance, and music. It may not become a blockbuster, but it will likely find loyal fans once it moves to OTT.
Also Read – Hridayapoorvam Review: Mohanlal’s Heartfelt Onam Drama
Conclusion
Bollywood often experiments with cross-cultural romances, and Param Sundari joins that list. The film succeeds in creating visual appeal and catchy music. It struggles in storytelling but survives because of its leads.
Whether it becomes a big hit or not, the film once again shows that Bollywood rom-coms still have an audience. As long as viewers come for fun and not for realism, Param Sundari delivers enough to keep them entertained.
