Set in Kerala’s backwaters, Param Sundari (2025) stars Sidharth Malhotra and Janhvi Kapoor in a cross-cultural love story. The movie looks beautiful and sounds melodious, but follows a predictable path. Here’s my honest review.
Param Sundari (2025) Movie Review
Genre: Romance, Drama
Director: Tushar Jalota
Starring: Sidharth Malhotra, Janhvi Kapoor
Production House: Maddock Films
Release Date: August 15, 2025
Language: Hindi
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| Param Sundari (2025) Movie Review: A Visually Beautiful, Emotionally Average Love Story |
About the Movie
Param Sundari is set against the serene backwaters of Kerala. Param (Sidharth Malhotra), a flamboyant, rich Delhi boy, meets Sundari (Janhvi Kapoor), a graceful local girl who runs her family’s homestay. Their cross-cultural romance unfolds through a mix of funny misunderstandings, cultural clashes, and heartfelt moments.
On paper, it sounds like a classic Bollywood love story, and that’s exactly what it is. There’s nothing drastically new or unpredictable here. However, it’s the kind of movie you can sit through on a lazy weekend when you just want something light and visually pleasant.
Plot Summary
The story begins when Param visits Kerala for a business project and to meet his "soulmate". He’s loud, overconfident, and clearly out of place in the calm, traditional setting. Sundari, on the other hand, is everything he isn’t. She is grounded, graceful, and connected to her roots. Their paths cross (obviously), misunderstandings happen, and love eventually blooms amid all the chaos.
There’s humor, there’s drama, there’s rain-soaked romance. But if you’ve watched enough Bollywood romcoms, you’ll see the next scene coming every time. Still, there’s something enjoyable about how familiar it feels. It has that 90s-style romantic charm, even if the story itself feels formulaic.
What Worked
For me, the songs were the real reason I even watched Param Sundari. I came across Pardesiya on YouTube, and it instantly caught my attention. I loved the music, the visuals, and the way Kerala’s beauty is captured. The background score throughout the movie is lovely too.
Visually, the film is stunning. The lush green backwaters, temple festivals, and traditional homes look straight out of a travel magazine. It’s the kind of cinematography that makes you pause and appreciate the frame.
I also have to admit that Sundari’s outfits were beautiful. The South Indian sarees, gajras, and subtle jewelry were on point. I’ve actually made a note to try that style someday.
And of course, there’s Rukmini the elephant, who steals the show every time she appears.
What Didn’t
Here’s the thing: while Param Sundari looks beautiful but it doesn’t feel beautiful. The story is predictable, the screenplay doesn’t really dig deep, and the characters feel too familiar to care about.
Sidharth Malhotra looks great on screen, no doubt. He is charming and smooth. However, his performance feels slightly surface-level. Janhvi Kapoor does well in a few emotional moments, but her expressions don’t always land. I also wish the supporting characters, especially Venu, had been given more space. His track had potential.
If the dialogues had been tighter and the screenplay more natural, this could have been a memorable film instead of just a pleasant one.
Direction and Cinematography
Director Tushar Jalota clearly wanted to make a feel-good romantic film with a cultural twist. And you know what, he succeeds partially. The visuals are stunning, the pacing is easy, and the setting feels alive. But the storytelling doesn’t match up.
Cinematographer Avinash Arun deserves credit, though. Every scene looks postcard-perfect — from sunset shots over the backwaters to vibrant close-ups of Kathak dance performances. It’s hard not to admire the aesthetic.
Soundtrack
Music is easily the best part of Param Sundari. Songs like Pardesiya stay with you long after the movie ends. The background score enhances the romantic mood and makes even average scenes feel a little more emotional.
My Thoughts on the Movie
To be honest, Param Sundari didn’t move me in any special way. It’s a typical romantic film. It is easy to watch, easy to forget. I didn’t connect with the characters much, but I enjoyed the songs, the outfits, and the visual beauty of Kerala.
It’s not a bad film, it’s just... predictable. A one-time watch when you’re in the mood for something light and dreamy. If you go in expecting depth or emotional nuance, you’ll be disappointed. But if you just want a pretty movie with good music, soft romance, and scenic views, Param Sundari does the job.
7 Reasons to Watch (or Skip) Param Sundari
Reasons to Watch:
- Beautiful visuals of Kerala’s backwaters.
- Soulful music and memorable songs like Pardesiya.
- Stylish costume design — especially Janhvi’s saree looks.
- Sidharth Malhotra’s charm and screen presence.
- Feel-good romantic vibes with a touch of nostalgia.
Reasons to Skip:
- Predictable story and formulaic screenplay.
- Uneven performances and underdeveloped characters.
Final Verdict
Param Sundari has its moments. Honestly, it’s visually pleasing, musically rich, and easy to sit through. But it doesn’t leave a mark. For me, it’s a silly romcom done with sincerity, but one you probably won’t remember for long.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ (3/5)
How did you feel about Param Sundari? Did the story charm you or leave you wanting more? Share your thoughts in the comments below. I’d love to hear your take!
This post is a part of Blogchatter Half Marathon 2025
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2 Comments
Hey Felicia, I also watched this movie only for the song Pardesiya which I heard on Instagram . Reels were flooding with the same song and I waited for the movie to come OTT for free. I had no expectations from the film and it happened the same.
ReplyDeleteThat's the power of reels! Sometimes a great song is the only good thing to come out of a movie.
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