The upcoming film Param Sundari is attracting attention for both its story and its casting choices. The movie, directed by Tushar Jalota, tells the tale of a Delhi boy who falls in love with a girl from Kerala. It stars Siddharth Malhotra as the boy from Delhi and Janhvi Kapoor as the girl from Kerala.
While the trailer has created excitement, it has also led to criticism. Some viewers have questioned why Janhvi, a North Indian actress, was chosen to play a Malayali character. Her accent, language and appearance in the role have sparked debate online. Actress-singer Pavithra Menon and content creator Steffy were among those who voiced their disappointment with the casting.
Janhvi Kapoor has now responded in her own way. She explained that her character is half Tamil and half Malayali, and she has always been interested in the culture of Kerala. “I am not a Malayali and neither is my mother. But I am a huge fan of Malayalam cinema. I found this story very exciting and fun. I feel grateful to be part of it,” she said.
The film promises to showcase Kerala’s culture on screen, with colourful traditions and regional references. In one scene, Janhvi delivers dialogues that mention stars such as Mohanlal, Rajinikanth, Allu Arjun and Yash, which has caught the audience’s eye. Reports suggest she worked hard to transform herself for the role.
Alongside Siddharth Malhotra and Janhvi Kapoor, the cast also includes Rajeev Khandelwal and Akash Dahiya in key roles. The film is set to release on 29 August.
For now, the spotlight remains on Janhvi Kapoor, who faces the challenge of silencing critics with her performance. The makers are hopeful that Param Sundari will not only tell a love story but also present a cross-cultural experience on the big screen.
