'Param Sundari': From age gap controversy to typecast depictions, here's why Sidharth Malhotra-Janhvi Kapoor's film made headlines

Sidharth Malhotra and Janhvi Kapoor’s film, 'Param Sundari', has been a constant subject of online debate and media scrutiny since its initial announcements. While the film was meant to be a cross-cultural love story, it has consistently made headlines for all the wrong reasons. From the significant age gap between its lead actors to the perceived stereotypical portrayal of a community, the film has faced a barrage of criticism. Let's know more about it here.Param Sundari Movie ReviewThe casting of Sidharth Malhotra and Janhvi Kapoor sparked immediate debate due to the noticeable age difference between the two actors. Sidharth, at 40 years old, is 13 years older than Janhvi, who is 27. Netizens and critics questioned the casting choice for a romantic film. Meanwhile, this is not the first time this topic has been discussed. This subject has become more prominent in recent years, and Param Sundari found itself at the center of this conversation.Beyond the casting, the film's portrayal of Janhvi Kapoor's character and the broader depiction of Kerala culture ignited a major backlash. A key scene in which Janhvi's character is seen climbing a coconut tree to pluck coconuts went viral, with many viewers calling it out as an "insulting" and "stereotypical" representation of Malayalis.This visual, meant to establish her character's background, was widely condemned for its reliance on clichés.The controversy grew after several Malayali social media influencers took to their respective platform to call out the film, highlighting the harm caused by such inaccurate and reductive portrayals.Influencer Divya Nair criticized the film for its "incomprehensible" Malayalam diction and questioned the lack of a local dialect coach. She also pointed out that the character's name was hilariously incorrect, using "Theykkapetta," which is slang for being dumped.Not just that, actress Pavithra Menon slammed the casting, arguing that talented Malayali actors were not picked by the makers. Both influencers faced copyright strikes after posting their critical videos, further fuelling the controversy.Directed by Tushar Jalota, the film was backed by Dinesh Vijan's production house. It was released in theaters on August 29, 2025. Meanwhile, according to Sacnilk, the film has earned Rs 34.5 crore at the box office until now.