Param Sundari Movie Review: When Bollywood Gets Kerala Wrong — Pretty Frames, Problematic Portrayal
It’s honestly surprising that a production like Maddock Films, known for clever and engaging movies, would release something like Param Sundari. On paper, it could’ve been a charming, lighthearted take on Kerala culture with romance and humor. But from the start, it feels like a Bollywood imagination of the South rather than anything authentic. The story, the setting, and even the character names hint at exaggeration rather than realism. As someone who watches films critically, I couldn’t help noticing how much of the culture feels misrepresented.
Even with these missteps, there are some positives. The songs are catchy and melodious, picturized against the lush landscapes of Kerala. But visuals and music alone cannot cover up the larger issues with the story and its stereotypical portrayal of Malayalis. From watching various shorts and criticisms online to finally sitting through the film without skipping felt like a task. So on that note, let’s dissect what exactly made Param Sundari such a debate starter.
So, What’s the Story?
The film follows Param Sachdev (Sidharth Malhotra), a Delhi-based entrepreneur who visits Kerala for a potential arranged match through a family connection. His supposed bride-to-be is Thekkepattu Sundari Damodaran Pillai (Janhvi Kapoor), often called Param Sundari, a bright, independent woman who runs a homestay in her small town. From the moment Param arrives, their worlds collide: his polished, city-bred outlook meets her rooted, cultural lifestyle. The film initially sets up a lighthearted tone, but you can sense an undercurrent of tension, one that questions how well people from different worlds really understand each other.
Sundari’s family, including her father (Renji Panicker) and cousin (Tanvi Ram), welcomes Param with warmth and a bit of playful chaos, creating that typical meet the family awkwardness every Indian audience knows too well. But the situation gets complicated when Venu Nair (Siddharth Shankar), Sundari’s long-time fiancé, re-enters the picture. What follows is a mix of misunderstandings, cultural comedy, and emotional tension as Param finds himself torn between fascination and frustration with Sundari’s world, and she, in turn, struggles with how outsiders constantly misread her roots. It’s here that the film tries to balance humor with heart, though the writing doesn’t always support the depth it’s aiming for.
The story tries to weave in Kerala’s scenic beauty, traditional customs, and music, but beneath the lush visuals, the writing often slips into exaggerated stereotypes rather than an authentic portrayal. The film’s depiction of Malayali culture feels more imagined than lived-in, as if written by someone who’s seen postcards, not people. Still, the charming backdrops and he scenic beauty almost make you wish the storytelling had matched the aesthetics.
Who Stood Out (and Who Didn't)
Janhvi Kapoor, to her credit, looks stunning throughout the film. The camera absolutely adores her, and visually, she fits the role of a homestay owner in Kerala. But her character, Thekkepattu Sundari Damodaran Pillai, already feels off from the name itself. It’s exaggerated, unrealistic, and instantly sounds like something dreamed up by someone who’s never met a Malayali in their life. And once Janhvi starts speaking Malayalam, it only gets more awkward. The accent and delivery never feel organic, and that disconnect keeps pulling you out of the story. She’s graceful on screen, no doubt, but grace alone can’t sell authenticity, and that’s exactly what’s missing here.
Sidharth Malhotra plays Param Sachdev, the Delhi entrepreneur who lands in Kerala for an arranged match. He looks every bit the polished outsider, confident, slightly out of place, but trying to fit in. His performance has moments of charm, especially in scenes where he softens around Sundari’s family, but the writing doesn’t give him enough depth. He feels like a visitor in the story, observing more than feeling. Still, he holds the film together when it starts to slip into caricature territory.
Sidharth Shankar, as Venu Nair, brings some balance to the chaos. His restrained presence and quiet intensity make him stand out even in limited screen time. The supporting cast, including Tanvi Ram and Renji Panicker, adds a touch of authenticity and warmth that’s otherwise missing. Renji, as Sundari’s father, anchors the family with sincerity, while Tanvi’s natural performance gives the film a hint of the realism it keeps reaching for but rarely finds.
If anything, it’s the supporting actors who make the story believable even when the writing doesn’t.
Where It All Went Wrong
Here’s where Param Sundari really starts to stumble. The film clearly wants to celebrate Kerala, its people, language, and culture, but ends up doing the opposite. Everything looks beautiful on screen, from the green backwaters to the temple festivals, but the treatment feels surface-level. It’s like looking at Kerala through a tourist’s Instagram reel, glossy, filtered, and far removed from the real thing. What’s worse is that it tries so hard to feel authentic that it ends up looking staged. The soul of the culture feels missing, replaced by postcard aesthetics and textbook-level observations.
The characters speak Malayalam like it’s a performance, not a language. The dialogues are filled with exaggerated accents and outdated words that no Malayali actually uses anymore. And the title itself, Thekkepattu Sundari Damodaran Pillai, almost feels like a parody. It’s not just about the name being unrealistic; it’s about how such choices reflect the film’s larger issue, a Bollywood imagination of Kerala rather than Kerala itself. This is the kind of representation that looks respectful on paper but feels hollow in execution. You can sense the lack of cultural consultation, and that’s exactly what breaks the film’s credibility.
The humor too often leans on stereotypes, over-the-top relatives, coconut jokes, and random cultural quirks as if that’s what defines Malayali identity. Instead of exploring the region with empathy and nuance, the movie turns it into a colorful backdrop for a North Indian narrative. Even the small everyday details of food habits, expressions, and traditions feel exaggerated, like they’re designed to entertain rather than represent. It’s not offensive in a loud way, but it’s disappointing because the industry should’ve learned better by now.
By the end, what could’ve been a heartwarming cross-cultural rom-com ends up feeling tone-deaf. There’s a difference between showing diversity and simplifying it, and Param Sundari keeps confusing the two. The intent might’ve been sweet, but the execution leaves a bitter aftertaste.
The Good Stuff (Because There Is Some)
If there’s one area where Param Sundari truly shines, it’s in its music and visuals. The cinematography is breathtaking, with lush green landscapes, vibrant festivals, and perfectly framed shots that make Kerala look like a dream destination. The lighting, costumes, and locations all work together to give the movie a postcard-like charm. It’s easy to see why people might fall in love with the film’s aesthetic, even if the story doesn’t hit the mark.
The songs, too, deserve credit. Pardesiya is a total winner, soothing, melodic, and beautifully picturized. It captures the warmth of Kerala while staying rooted in a pan-Indian appeal. But then comes Danger, and honestly, that one completely misses the vibe. The line “Chuvappu sari il nangal ellam danger anallo” tries to sound catchy and bold but ends up feeling tone-deaf and cringey. It’s the kind of song that thinks it’s empowering when it’s actually poking fun at the very culture it’s trying to celebrate.
Still, you can’t deny that the technical departments, from costume design to production, have worked hard to give the film a glossy, appealing finish. Every frame looks beautiful; it’s the story underneath that doesn’t hold up. If Param Sundari had the same depth in its writing as it does in its visuals and music, it could’ve easily been one of the year’s most charming rom-coms.
Final Verdict- So, Was It Worth It?
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