A Missed Connection
Param Sundari sets out with a familiar and potentially charming premise: a classic cross-cultural romance between a Punjabi boy and a Malayali girl. With two of the industry's most visually appealing stars, Sidharth Malhotra and Janhvi Kapoor, at its helm, the film promises a fresh pairing against the picturesque backdrop of Kerala. However, despite its beautiful exterior, the movie struggles to deliver on the fundamental elements of its genre. Over its 136-minute runtime, it becomes a predictable exercise in formulaic storytelling, failing to generate either genuine romance or heartfelt comedy, leaving audiences with a visually pleasing but emotionally empty experience.
The Chemistry Conundrum
The success of any romantic comedy hinges on the chemistry between its leads, and this is where Param Sundari falters most significantly. While Sidharth Malhotra and Janhvi Kapoor are individually charismatic and look good together on screen, the film rarely gives them the space to build a believable connection. Their interactions feel manufactured and overly reliant on conventional rom-com tropes—from a standard-issue meet-cute to a final, DDLJ-inspired moment. The script is so preoccupied with moving from one plot point to the next that it forgets to nurture the central relationship. The result is a pairing that lacks sizzle and emotional depth, leaving the audience as spectators to a romance they can see but never truly feel.
A Story Lost in Stereotypes
Instead of building its narrative on character development, the film leans heavily on a crutch of cultural clichés. The Punjabi-meets-Malayali setup is used not for nuanced storytelling but for a series of tired and superficial gags. The narrative is peppered with lazy cultural shorthand, from "Chak De Phatte" energy representing the North to a checklist of Keralan elements like Kathakali masks, boat races, and confusion over traditional attire. This reliance on stereotypes extends to the supporting characters, who, while often providing moments of genuine humour, also serve to distract from the central love story. Scene-stealers like Manjot Singh, as the hero’s best friend, and Inayat Verma, as the heroine’s sister, often outshine the leads, further highlighting the weakness of the core romance.
Fleeting Moments of Originality
The film is not entirely devoid of charm. There are fleeting moments, particularly in the final half-hour, where a spark between the lead actors becomes visible. One of the standout sequences involves Malhotra’s character climbing a coconut tree to get closer to his love—a novel and physically impressive gesture that momentarily injects some much-needed verve and originality into the proceedings. These brief flashes of inspiration, however, are too few and far between to salvage the rest of the film. They serve as a frustrating reminder of the more engaging movie that Param Sundari could have been if it had trusted its actors and its audience enough to move beyond a paint-by-numbers script. By the time the credits roll, the feeling is one of a missed opportunity—a beautiful but ultimately forgettable film that is, in the end, too little, too late.
The Final Cut
- Lacking Core Elements: The film struggles to deliver on its promise as a romantic comedy, failing to generate either genuine romantic chemistry or consistent humour.
- Formulaic and Predictable: The narrative follows a conventional and uninspired plot, relying on familiar tropes rather than fresh storytelling.
- Stereotypes Over Substance: The cross-cultural premise is used for superficial clichés about Punjabi and Malayali cultures instead of meaningful character development.
- Wasted Potential: Despite an attractive lead pair and a scenic setting, the film's weak script and lack of emotional depth make it a missed opportunity.
