Param Sundari (2025) Review: Why Sidharth-Janhvi’s Cross-Cultural Romance Misses the Mark

Sidharth Malhotra and Janhvi Kapoor team up in this cross-cultural love story that promises more than it delivers. Tushar Jalota directs this romantic comedy that hit theaters on August 29, 2025, under the Maddock Films banner.

The movie takes us to Kerala’s stunning backwaters where two people from different Indian cultures meet and fall in love. With Manjot Singh, Sanjay Kapoor, and music by Sachin-Jigar, the film runs for 136 minutes of ups and downs.

The Love Story

A young man from North India meets a girl from South India in Kerala’s beautiful landscape. Their different backgrounds create funny situations and romantic moments. The story tries to show how love can bridge cultural gaps.

The plot follows a simple boy-meets-girl formula with cultural misunderstandings adding comedy. Unfortunately, the screenplay doesn’t offer anything fresh or surprising. Most scenes feel like we’ve seen them before in other romantic films.

I found the story predictable from start to finish. The writers missed chances to explore real cultural differences meaningfully. Instead, they rely on surface-level jokes about food, language, and traditions that don’t add depth.

Acting Performances

Sidharth Malhotra plays his usual charming self without stretching his acting muscles. He looks good on screen and delivers his lines well, but doesn’t bring anything new to this character. His performance feels safe and comfortable.

Janhvi Kapoor tries hard to portray her South Indian character authentically. She puts in effort with accent and mannerisms, but the script doesn’t give her much to work with. Her natural screen presence shines through despite weak material.

The supporting actors do their job without leaving much impact. Manjot Singh provides some laughs while Sanjay Kapoor brings his experience to smaller scenes. None of the performances elevate the ordinary script.

Behind the Camera

Tushar Jalota knows how to frame beautiful shots of Kerala’s landscapes. His direction works best in quiet romantic moments between the leads. However, he struggles with pacing and lets some scenes drag unnecessarily.

Sachin-Jigar’s music stands out as one of the film’s highlights. The songs fit well with the romantic mood and Kerala setting. I particularly enjoyed the melodic tracks that showcase the region’s musical heritage.

The cinematography captures Kerala beautifully, making viewers want to visit the backwaters immediately. Every frame looks like a travel poster, which helps distract from weaker storytelling moments.

What Works and What Doesn’t

The visual beauty of Kerala steals the show throughout the movie. Every location looks stunning, and the camera work makes the most of natural lighting and scenic views. This is definitely the film’s strongest element.

Music and background score enhance emotional scenes effectively. The songs don’t feel forced into the narrative and actually help move the story forward. This is rare in many recent Bollywood films.

However, the story lacks originality and depth. Cultural differences get reduced to silly stereotypes rather than meaningful exploration. The comedy often feels forced, and dramatic moments don’t hit the right emotional notes.

Critics vs Audience

Professional critics have been harsh on the film, with Rotten Tomatoes showing only 8% positive reviews. Most reviewers criticized the weak script and missed opportunities for cultural commentary. The average rating sits at a disappointing 3.9/10.

Audience reactions are more divided. IMDB users gave it 5.9/10, suggesting general viewers found some entertainment value. Bollywood Hungama was kinder with 3.5/5 stars, praising it as family-friendly entertainment.

Some families appreciated the clean, wholesome content that parents can watch with children. Others found it boring and slow-paced, calling the story illogical and emotionally flat.

My Honest Opinion

I walked into Param Sundari hoping for a fresh take on cross-cultural romance. Unfortunately, the film plays it too safe and misses opportunities to say something meaningful about India’s cultural diversity.

The beautiful Kerala setting and decent music can’t save a script that feels lazy and uninspired. While Sidharth and Janhvi have screen presence, their chemistry doesn’t spark enough to carry the weak story.

I appreciate that the film avoids vulgarity and provides clean family entertainment. However, clean doesn’t mean good, and the movie needed stronger writing to make its cultural message resonate.

For viewers seeking light entertainment with pretty visuals, Param Sundari might work. But if you want smart comedy or meaningful cultural exploration, you’ll leave disappointed.

My Rating: 2.5/5