Sidharth Malhotra reposted story praising classic style, rejecting Bollywood’s 'shabby, animal, unkept look'

Sidharth Malhotra has stirred a conversation around Bollywood’s leading men after he reshared an Instagram story praising his look in the upcoming film Param Sundari. The post admired the “return of men looking like men, gentlemen, classic,” and added pointedly, “hope we lose the shabby, animal, unkept look.”

The remark struck a chord because it indirectly referenced the rugged, hypermasculine phase epitomised by Ranbir Kapoor’s Animal. That raw, unpolished aesthetic dominated conversations last year. Malhotra, however, seems to be reviving the clean-cut charm associated with classic heroes. His repost suggests that the suave, gentlemanly style may once again find favour with audiences who have grown weary of excessive grit on screen.

Param Sundari, directed by Tushar Jalota, appears to embody that very shift. The romantic drama celebrates opposites colliding: North ka munda meets South ki grace. The trailer introduces Param Sachdev, played by Malhotra, who arrives in Kerala from Delhi and meets Sundari, a dancer, near their accommodation. Their easy camaraderie, filled with playful filmi references, faces a dramatic turn when Sundari lashes out, accusing him of toying with people’s emotions. The narrative then follows whether Param can prove his sincerity and win her trust.

Set against the vibrant cultural backdrop of Kerala, the film promises love, laughter, and chaos, with music already trending online. Sidharth Malhotra’s look in the film, sharp, groomed, and styled in a gentlemanly manner has become a talking point, especially as it contrasts so strongly with the “unkempt” visual language Bollywood recently favoured.

For Malhotra, whose career has balanced romantic leads with action-heavy roles, Param Sundari may signal not just a return to form but also a cultural reset in how male protagonists are styled. The buzz around his character shows that audiences are as invested in fashioning masculinity on screen as they are in the love stories themselves.