'Param Sundari': A stylish, crowd-pleasing rom-com with Sid–Janhvi’s ‘terrific chemistry’ but faltering story

Highlights:

Sidharth Malhotra and Janhvi Kapoor’s much-anticipated romantic comedy, Param Sundari, finally hit the big screens, instantly drawing enthusiastic crowds and active social media engagement. Directed by Tushar Jalota and produced by Maddock Films, the film marks the pairing of Sidharth and Janhvi for the first time. Audiences flocked to the cinemas for a weekend dose of feel-good romance, eager to witness this fresh “north meets south” jodi.

Public reviews: A vibrant, entertaining rom-com

Early Twitter (X) reviews painted an overwhelmingly positive picture. Many viewers lauded the energetic chemistry between the leads and the film’s blend of comedy, emotion, and music. One netizen shared:
“#ParamSundari ~ Powerful cultural crossover family comedy entertainment with great music and perfect blend of cast. Janhvi Kapoor has delivered a jaw-dropping act, and Sidharth Malhotra stole the show with his irreplaceable comic timing.”
Another posted:
“Watched #ParamSundari. A clean family rom-com with a beautiful love story. Sidharth carries a stylish, suave look and shines in each scene. Janhvi delivers her best performance so far and actually looks the Sundari!”

Many praised the music, especially the "Pardesiya" track, and highlighted the film as a refreshing comeback for the Bollywood rom-com genre. “#ParamSundari hands down the best from Maddock. Thank you Tushar for giving us the best of Sid and Janhvi in this movie. This movie has everything we wanted from a romcom. Terrific chemistry,” read one glowing review.

Trade sources estimated a strong box office opening, with advanced ticket sales fueling expectations for a successful weekend run.

Chemistry and style, but story falters

While the public celebrated the movie’s surface charms, critical reviews were more divided.

The Indian Express noted,
“Punjabi munda meets Malayali penkutti, and everything happens by the numbers… The film struggles to find both the rom and the com, only finding its feet in the last half hour. The chemistry, while pleasing, needs more spark.”

Hindustan Times critiqued,
“It struggles as a romantic comedy, failing to evoke the charm of classic rom-coms. Janhvi tries hard to sell her character but often carries scenes by herself, while Sidharth’s performance feels static.”

Rediff called the chemistry “manufactured, slo-mo enhanced,” but enjoyed the picturesque Kerala setting more than the romance. India Today echoed, “Sidharth and Janhvi can sell Kerala trips, not love… The North-meets-South romance remains strictly brochure-level,” but praised the film for its beautiful visuals and vibrant atmosphere.

Some positive notes did surface in mainstream reviews. Times of India highlighted the “charming chemistry” anchoring the rom-com and considered it a “crowd-pleasing romance for the festive season,” giving due credit to the ensemble cast and soundtrack.

A stylish rom-com crowd-pleaser

Param Sundari has quickly become a conversation starter—appealing to fans of Bollywood romance with its lively jodi, energetic music, and unmissable visuals. While critical opinions note a lack of narrative depth and true romantic spark, audiences seem content to embrace the film’s fun, colorful spirit and the return of lighthearted romance to the big screen.