Release & Expectations
Released on August 29, 2025, Param Sundari immediately created a buzz in Bollywood. The film boasts the first on-screen pairing of Sidharth Malhotra and Janhvi Kapoor, fueled by vibrant music and a light-hearted north-meets-south love story directed by Tushar Jalota IndiatimesThe Times of India. Analysts anticipate a promising theatrical run, with opening day collections estimated between ₹7 crore and ₹9 crore net Indiatimes+1.
Plot in a Nutshell
Param Sundari follows Param Sachdev (Sidharth Malhotra), a Dilli-wala entrepreneur tasked by his traditionalist father to prove his dating app concept by finding a soulmate in a month. His journey leads him to Thekkepattu Sundari Damodaram Pillai (Janhvi Kapoor) in Kerala—a spirited, traditional woman not easily swayed. While cultural stereotypes and comedic misadventures abound, the narrative steadily builds into a cross-cultural love story punctuated by romance, humour, and drama The Times of India+1Indiatimes.
What Critics Are Saying
The Sweet Side of the Story
Bollywood Hungama praises the film’s breezy tone, youth appeal, romantic musical score, and lighthearted storytelling, rating it 3.5/5, calling it a “pleasant Bollywood rom-com” Wikipedia. Similarly, News18 finds Param Sundari comfort food cinema—simple, nostalgic, and satisfying like paneer butter masala or idli sambar Wikipedia.
Indian Express live blog highlights that viewers called it one of the finest Indian films of the year—playful, emotionally engaging, with sparkling chemistry between the leads and excellent music by Sachin–Jigar The Indian ExpressIndiatimes.
Taran Adarsh also lauds the film for its chemistry, music, and fresh take on the classic rom-com trope, stating it “works for the most part” and “charts its own course beyond clichés” IndiatimesThe Indian Express.
Where It Falters
India Today deems it forgettable—comfortable, but lacking in lasting charm—awarding it 2.5/5 Wikipedia. Firstpost echoes this sentiment, noting forced cuteness and emotional exhaustion by the climax, scoring it a 2/5 Wikipedia.
The Indian Express reviewer felt the writing was bland and the onscreen chemistry lacking, giving the film 1.5/5 Wikipedia. Hindustan Times went even harsher with a 0.5/5—a polite handshake instead of a swooning experience Wikipedia.
Great Andhra delivered a critical punch as well, condemning the film for a “predictable plot” and “forced emotions,” rating it only 2/5 www.greatandhra.com. Meanwhile, 123Telugu sums up the film as musically engaging but emotionally shallow, with a draggy second half 123telugu.com.
Gulf News described the setting and portrayal of Sundari as “pure Bollywood fantasy,” complete with exaggerated visuals and stereotyped cultural flourishes Gulf News. Rediff remarks that though the leads are undeniably glamorous, the chemistry feels staged—drawn-out slo-mo gazes over scenic Kerala adds little depth Rediff.
Audience Reactions & Social Media Buzz
On X/Twitter, early netizen reviews are mostly positive: viewers called it “breezy” and “feel-good,” often contrasting it favorably against other cross-cultural rom-coms like Chennai Express and 2 States The Times of IndiaThe Economic Times. Some described it as a “fun roller-coaster ride” reviving the appeal of Hindi rom-coms The Economic Times.
However, there were pockets of criticism. Some viewers found Janhvi Kapoor’s Malayalam pronunciation artificial or awkward Navbharat Times. A Malayali influencer also publicly criticized the misuse of slang like “theykkapetta,” noting its inappropriate usage and sparking broader dialogue on authentic representation The Times of India.
Adding to the pre-release chatter, Janhvi sparked some controversy by mistakenly linking Dahi Handi celebrations with Independence Day—a slip that led to discussions about cultural awareness Indiatimes.
Box Office & Pop Culture Context
Trade estimations placed the opening day earnings in the range of ₹7–10 crore net, with some reporting ₹3.4 crore by midday, gradually climbing through the day The Times of India+1Indiatimes. Optimism remains that strong word-of-mouth might sustain weekend box office momentum The Times of India.
The timing of the release—amidst limited Hindi-film competition—favors the film’s potential run, though strong regional releases in Kerala are expected to provide localized competition Indiatimes.
Putting It All Together
| Element | Highlights | Drawbacks |
|---|---|---|
| Lead Chemistry | Sidharth and Janhvi’s pairing is widely praised and refreshing. | Critics note a lack of depth in their emotional connection. |
| Music & Score | Sachin–Jigar’s soundtrack is a major highlight. | Few negative notes—some found only music stood out. |
| Emotion & Writing | Lighthearted and comforting for rom-com fans. | Reviews point to predictable narrative and superficial emotional beats. |
| Cultural Layering | Flavored with south-meets-north zest. | Accents and regional portrayals criticized for inauthenticity. |
| Box Office | Solid opening expected, with strong merchandising potential. | Uncertain long-term performance depends on audience response. |
| Audience Response | Warm reception on social media; described as fun and engaging. | Some backlash on cultural portrayal and accent execution. |
Final Verdict for Your Blog Readers
Param Sundari isn’t aiming to revolutionize Bollywood; it’s designed to be a feel-good, comforting rom-com anchored by energetic music, vibrant visuals, and a cheerful cross-cultural plot. For audiences craving nostalgia, romance, and lighthearted fun, it delivers—with solid chemistry and earworms aplenty.
But if you’re seeking emotional depth or narrative originality, you might find it lacking. Critics point to its predictable arcs, simplistic writing, and occasionally superficial touches in culture portrayal.
In short, Param Sundari is best enjoyed for what it is: a bright, breezy, escapist love story—like paneer butter masala rather than a gourmet meal.
