Param Sundari Movie Review: A patchy and average light romantic tale that works more for Janhvi Kapoor than Sidharth Malhotra

Param Sundari Movie Review: A patchy and average light romantic tale that works more for Janhvi Kapoor than Sidharth Malhotra

(‘Param Sundari,’ directed by Tushar Jalota, was released on 29th August in theatres and stars Sidharth Malhotra, Janhvi Kapoor, Manjot Singh, Siddhartha Shankar, Renji Panicker, and Sanjay Kapoor.)

A patchy rom-com

‘Param Sundari’ has a flavour, one that feels colourful and lighthearted from the very beginning. The film captures the beauty of Kerala in all its natural splendour, with bright visuals and lively moments that never weigh too heavily on the audience. The tone stays playful and frothy, making it an easy watch at the start. But what begins as light entertainment soon slips into dull repetition, and the very simplicity that seemed charming at first quickly becomes a burden, dragging the film down and testing your patience. The screenplay loses sharpness in the second half and stretches to the point where you begin waiting for the end credits. Still, Janhvi Kapoor’s sincere performance as Sundari keeps the film afloat, ensuring it remains watchable even when the story falters.

A start-up dream meets a love story

The plot revolves around Param (Sidharth Malhotra), a young man obsessed with investing in start-ups, most of which end up as failures. His latest project is a dating app that claims to connect soulmates purely through algorithms. Seeking funds, he turns to his father (Sanjay Kapoor), who agrees to finance the idea only if Param can prove its effectiveness. Things take a turn when the app matches him with Sundari (Janhvi Kapoor), a Malayali who runs a homestay in Kerala. Curious about the app’s potential, Param travels to Kerala with his best friend to meet her. At first, the language and culture create hurdles, but he slowly adapts, immersing himself in festivals and village gatherings. Love soon develops between the two, only for complications to arise with the arrival of Venu (Siddhartha Shankar), Sundari’s childhood friend, who is soon to marry her.

Charm and colour but stretched thin

The film begins on a fresh note, with novelty in its concept and some fun moments in the early stages. However, once the love story kicks in, it drags for far too long and loses its spark. What could have been sharp and brisk feels stretched, and the charm wears off in places. That said, Kerala’s colourful landscapes add vibrancy, and the quirky local characters help in keeping the narrative alive. The humour occasionally lands well, offering small bursts of joy when the story begins to feel repetitive. A stronger comic flavour would have helped the film immensely, as the premise had enough room for it, but the makers strangely hold back. At times, the film feels caught between being a full-blown comedy and a safe romantic drama, which leaves it stuck in the middle. This indecision is perhaps its biggest undoing, because you sense the potential for much more throughout.

Also Read: Bruce Willis moves into ‘second home’ with 24-hour care team amid dementia battle, says wife Eemma

Janhvi Kapoor shines

Performance-wise, Janhvi Kapoor shines as Sundari. Her portrayal of a Malayali woman feels grounded, and it’s clear she has put in the effort to capture the nuances of the role. She carries a quiet sincerity that works in her favour. Sidharth Malhotra, as Param, struggles to fit into the comic-romantic mould. Despite his efforts, his lack of comic timing becomes evident, and the role demands an energy he cannot quite deliver. Manjot Singh, meant to provide the comic touches as the hero’s friend, is underutilised due to a screenplay that doesn’t give him enough space. Renji Panicker, as Sundari’s protective uncle, and Sanjay Kapoor, as Param’s father, step in with credible performances, lending some strength to the supporting cast. Together, they manage to fill in some of the gaps left by the leads.

Light entertainment with mixed results

‘Param Sundari,’ in the end, turns out to be a film that entertains in parts but struggles to maintain consistency. The comedy works occasionally, while at other times it falls flat, leaving you restless. Sachin-Jigar’s lively soundtrack gives the film its much-needed heartbeat. Director Tushar Jalota, in only his second film, shows promise in his attempt to mix humour, romance, and drama, but the execution wavers. Still, there is a certain honesty in the way the film approaches its lighthearted story, even if it doesn’t always succeed. As a rom-com, it barely scrapes through.

Rating: 2/5