'Param Sundari' Review: Sidharth Malhotra & Janhvi Kapoor find love beyond algorithms

Param Sundari

Cast: Sidharth Malhotra, Janhvi Kapoor, Renji Panicker, Siddhartha Shankar, Manjot Singh, Sanjay Kapoor, Inayat Verma & more

Directed by: Tushar Jalota

Produced by: Maddock Films

Rating - ***1/2 (3.5/5)

Swipe fatigue is real. In a culture where dating apps promise endless possibilities but often leave people more ghosted than grounded, Param Sundari lands like a pause button. The film does not chase reinvention or genre subversion. Instead, it takes a familiar rom-com template and nudges us into asking what happens when we put away the phone and let love stumble into its own rhythm.

This is not a story about perfect compatibility scores. It is about mismatches, awkward silences, and the quiet glow of feelings that no algorithm can predict. And that is where Param Sundari both charms and falters just a bit.

The Setup

At the centre is Param (Sidharth Malhotra), a smooth-talking Delhi entrepreneur determined to create an app that finds real soulmates. When his father (Sanjay Kapoor) challenges him to test his own invention by finding love in thirty days, the narrative throws him straight into Sundari (Janhvi Kapoor), a practical Malayali woman who checks every right box according to the software. Their worlds could not be more different, and naturally, sparks fly but not in the way a dating app would script it.

Romance in a Digital Age

The premise holds promise: what happens when the idea of love as data collides with the messy and unpredictable reality of human connection? At times, the writing leans too hard on the generational commentary, with speeches about AI, algorithms, and compatibility that feel a little tacked on. These moments seem more intent on underlining the contrast between tradition and technology rather than letting it emerge naturally through the characters.

But when the film breathes in silences, stolen looks, or small miscommunications, it finds its rhythm. The romance between Param and Sundari is not painted in fireworks but in gradual warmth, something closer to everyday intimacy than cinematic spectacle.

Performances: Uneven but Watchable

Sidharth Malhotra, as Param, plays up the quirky businessman with an almost caricature-like energy. His exaggerated gestures and polished charm sometimes undercut the sincerity of the story, making Param feel more like a sketch than a person. But his natural charm and devilish handsome looks make up for this to an extent.

On the other hand, Janhvi Kapoor grounds the film. As Sundari, she feels believable, from her accent to her restrained expressions. It helps that the role plays into her strengths since she fits well as a South Indian character balancing tradition with independence. She impresses indeed.

Their chemistry is not instantly magnetic but builds gradually, reflecting the film’s theme of love as a slow burn rather than a swipe-right instant spark.

Supporting Players Shine

Sanjay Kapoor, with limited screen time, turns his role into a delightful cameo. His comic timing lightens the heavier stretches, and he exits just when you wish there was more of him. Manjot Singh, as Param’s loyal friend, brings much needed humour and heart, keeping scenes afloat when the narrative sags. Inayat Verma adds youthful spark, while Renji Panicker and Siddhartha Shankar lend quiet depth to Sundari’s world.

Together, they form a background that often feels livelier than the central romance.

Second Half Picks Up

The film takes its time finding a steady beat. The first half is colourful but uneven, often jumping between quirky humour and flat stretches where the app versus heart idea feels forced. The second half, though, is more assured. Once the film settles into the small emotional tussles between Param and Sundari, it moves away from its over explained digital metaphors and leans into something more authentic.

The quirks remain, some jokes land and some do not, but the story feels less like a tech debate and more like a human one.

Music and Visuals

If there is one area where the film rarely falters, it is in its soundscape. The six tracks cover every mood. Pardesiya brings cheeky flirtation, Bheegi Saree oozes romance, Danger adds energy, while Sunn Mere Yaar Ve and Chand Kagaz Ka are emotional anchors. The title track Sundari Ke Pyar Mein is already on its way to playlist permanence.

Visually, the film draws contrasts well: neon startup spaces of Delhi against Kerala’s serene backwaters. Costumes quietly underline character, Sundari in elegant saris and Param in casual city chic, telling their story without words.

The Takeaway

Param Sundari is not flawless. It stumbles in its reliance on explaining data driven love, and Sidharth’s performance can feel overly animated. Yet the film carries a gentleness that lingers. Janhvi Kapoor holds the core together, the supporting cast lifts the edges, and the second half redeems some of the earlier stumbles.

It is not a rom-com that reinvents, nor one that dazzles with originality. What it does offer is a reminder that love is not a formula. It is messy, inconvenient, and never programmable. And in that mess, there is still something worth believing in.

If you have grown weary of swiping, ghosting, or reducing people to profiles, Param Sundari might feel like a soft nudge back toward old fashioned connection, complicated, flawed, and lived in real time.