Sidharth Malhotra and Janhvi Kapoor are promoting their upcoming rom-com Param Sundari in full swing. The film has been in the headlines for both its glitzy promotional events and growing online backlash.
Sidharth Malhotra Spends Time With 15 ‘Sundaris’
A recent video of Sidharth Malhotra went viral, where the actor was greeted by 15 ‘sundaris’ at a promotional event. As soon as he stepped out of his car, the paparazzi asked him to pose with the women. Initially, Sidharth jokingly made an excuse about the rain to escape, but he was soon surprised inside the venue where the women were waiting to welcome him.
In the clip, Sidharth appeared both amused and overwhelmed as the group surrounded him, chanting “Param.” The actor responded with a smile and added, “Sundari,” which delighted his fans. His expressions quickly became the talking point, with many pointing out his shyness and joy in the moment. Surprisingly, the official ‘sundari’ and his co-star Janhvi Kapoor was missing from the scene.
Check out the video below
Param Sundari Faces Cultural Backlash
While the film’s promotions are creating buzz, its trailer has also triggered controversy. A section of Malayali audiences have criticised the portrayal of Janhvi Kapoor’s character, calling it stereotypical and tone-deaf.
Several Malayali influencers expressed disappointment over the film’s depiction of Kerala culture. Among them was RJ and influencer Pavithra Menon, who questioned why a Malayali actress was not cast. In her now-deleted viral video, she said, “Women in Kerala do not walk around wearing jasmine flowers and dancing Mohiniyattam.”
Menon later revealed that her video was taken down due to a copyright strike from the film’s team. She re-uploaded it later.
In the video, she was heard saying, “What’s the problem in hiring a proper Malayali actor? Are we less talented? This doesn’t happen in Kerala. We don’t wear jasmine flowers everywhere or do Mohiniyattam in offices and homes.”
She also criticised the mispronunciations in the film. She said, “Just say Trivandrum instead of Thiruvananthapuram – we will be happy.”
Another influencer (Vedangi X) also alleged that her critical video was removed. She accused the makers of deliberately silencing Malayali voices. On Instagram, she wrote, “The team behind this movie is silencing all Malayali creators right now. Multiple creators are complaining about this. Instead of doing proper research, they decided to capitalise on Kerala’s culture. The portrayal is incredibly out of touch and disrespectful.”
About Param Sundari
The makers of Param Sundari are currently busy with promotions. The film stars Sidharth Malhotra and Janhvi Kapoor in lead roles, along with Sanjay Kapoor, Renji Panicker, Siddhartha Shankar, and Manjot Singh. Directed by Dasvi fame Tushar Jalota, the film has been co-written by Jalota, Gaurav Mishra, and Aarsh Vora.
Param Sundari is set to release in theatres on August 29, 2025.
