Param Sundari Review: Pretty Pictures Can’t Save This Predictable Romance

Param Sundari puts Sidharth Malhotra and Janhvi Kapoor together in a romance that tries to bridge the gap between North and South India. Director Tushar Jalota takes us from Delhi’s busy streets to Kerala’s peaceful backwaters with this modern love story.

The supporting cast includes Manjot Singh, Sanjay Kapoor, Renji Panicker, and Siddhartha Shankar. The film, which released on August 29, 2025, follows Param who uses an AI dating app that connects him with Sundari from Kerala.

The Story That Unfolds

Param is a Delhi guy looking for love and a business idea that actually works. When a matchmaking app points him toward Sundari in Kerala, he decides to pack his bags and head south. What seems simple online becomes complicated once he lands in God’s Own Country.

The cultural clash forms the backbone of this story. From struggling with Malayalam words to understanding local customs, Param’s journey throws up funny situations. The film adds flavor with Kalaripayattu fight sequences and Vallam Kali boat racing scenes that showcase Kerala’s traditions.

But here’s where things get tricky. The plot doesn’t venture far from what we’ve seen before in countless romantic comedies. Every twist feels familiar, every conflict predictable. The middle portions lose steam, with scenes that could’ve been shorter.

The writing tries mixing laughs with emotional beats but struggles to find balance. The setup pulls you in initially, then settles into stereotypes about both cultures. Character choices sometimes don’t make sense, and several plot points feel pushed in rather than flowing naturally.

Acting and Chemistry

Sidharth Malhotra brings charm to Param with good energy throughout. His comic timing lands well, and he handles the outsider-in-Kerala angle comfortably. Despite some odd choices his character makes, Sidharth keeps Param likeable enough to root for.

Janhvi Kapoor looks beautiful as Sundari and brings grace to every frame. However, her portrayal of a Kerala girl has drawn flak for missing authenticity. Her accent doesn’t quite convince, and the mannerisms feel studied rather than natural. Still, she delivers in certain emotional moments.

What saves many scenes is the visible chemistry between the leads. Their romance feels real, with moments where you can see they’re genuinely enjoying working together. I enjoyed watching their playful exchanges and tender scenes because the connection doesn’t feel forced.

Manjot Singh delivers laughs as expected in his supporting role. Sanjay Kapoor doesn’t get much screen time but uses it well. The Kerala actors add local touches, though their characters don’t get much depth to work with.

The Good Bits

Kerala’s beauty steals several scenes. The camera work captures everything from calm backwaters to thick greenery so well that the locations become part of the story. Every frame looks carefully planned, turning the film into a visual treat.

The music adds serious value here. Pardesiya already topped charts before release, and hearing it in theaters hits differently. Songs fit the story rather than feeling forced in, and the background score supports scenes without drowning them out.

This film works for family viewing without worry. No adult content or unnecessary glamour means everyone can watch together. I appreciate how it keeps romance simple and clean, even if the execution stumbles elsewhere.

The costume and production design teams did their homework on Kerala’s culture. Festival scenes, traditional clothes, and local details show attention that helps build the world. The colorful, vibrant setting draws you into their romance.

Where It Stumbles

The predictable storytelling hurts this film badly. Everything unfolds exactly as you expect, with zero surprises or fresh takes. Cultural differences get played for cheap laughs rather than genuine exploration, making the film feel both dated and lazy.

How Kerala and its people are shown has upset many viewers for good reason. Portraying local women as easily impressed by outsiders comes across as shallow and problematic. The Malayalam used sounds off, and cultural references miss their mark more often than hitting it.

Romance should make you feel something, but I found myself disconnected from Param and Sundari’s relationship. The emotional moments feel manufactured instead of earned. When conflicts arise, they resolve too easily, leaving you unsatisfied.

Pacing becomes an issue as the film progresses. The start sets things up decently, then the middle drags through repetitive situations. Some comedy stretches too long, and several scenes could’ve been cut without losing anything important.

What Critics and Audiences Said

Critics gave Param Sundari ratings that landed in the middle range. Times Now gave it 3 out of 5 stars, calling it visually and musically appealing. Bollywood Hungama went slightly higher with 3.5 out of 5, praising the lead pair’s chemistry.

Harsher reviews came from several outlets. GreatAndhra called out the predictable plot and forced emotions, saying the writing feels immature. The Review Geek termed it a bland story dressed up nicely. The stereotyping drew the most criticism across reviews.

Regular viewers split into camps. IMDb shows 5.9 out of 10, reflecting divided opinions. Some enjoyed the clean, family-friendly entertainment and loved watching the stars together on screen.

Others didn’t hold back their disappointment on Rotten Tomatoes, calling it slow and illogical. Social media showed similar division – some called it a decent timepass while others slammed the cultural stereotypes and shallow storytelling.

My Take

Param Sundari looks much better than its story deserves. The gorgeous visuals and good-looking leads with natural chemistry can’t hide weak writing underneath. If you want simple entertainment without thinking much, it delivers somewhat.

But if you’re hoping for smart storytelling or respectful cultural representation, you’ll leave disappointed. The stereotypes, predictable beats, and thin characters prevent this from becoming anything memorable. I felt the cross-cultural romance angle had potential that went completely wasted.

The actors work with what they get. Technical work, especially visuals and music, lifts the film above its script. Despite clear problems, some scenes do entertain, making it okay for a lazy weekend if nothing else interests you.

Rating: 3/5