In one scene, Sundari (Janhvi Kapoor) narrates the mythological tale of Onam to Param (Sidharth Malhotra). When he calls it a story, she corrects him: “Story nahi, legend. Isme seekh chhupi hoti hai.” Ironically, the only lesson the film leaves behind is that romantic comedies are the hardest genre to pull off with conviction.
Param, a privileged brat who invests his father’s (Sanjay Kapoor) money in startups, stumbles upon Soulmates, an AI-driven app promising to find one’s perfect match. To prove a point, he tests it and gets paired with Sundari, a homestay owner in Cochin. What follows is intended to be playful and heartfelt but instead lands flat, like a joke told without timing.
Performances
- Janhvi Kapoor – earnest and often single-handedly carrying scenes, but left stranded without a co-star to match her energy.
- Sidharth Malhotra – static and one-note, proving yet again that good looks alone don’t create charm. Even in intimate moments, his expressions feel like a wall against Janhvi’s effort.
- Sanjay Kapoor – has fleeting moments as Param’s father, but never fully convinces. Two comic bits in the second half brought two out of the only four laughs in the entire runtime.
Technical Merits
- Cinematography – Kerala’s landscapes are beautifully captured, lending authenticity and freshness without overdone VFX.
- Music – Sachin-Jigar’s album is serviceable, with Pardesiya standing out as the only track that lingers. The film’s pre-release buzz promising the return of the Sonu Nigam era of soulful ballads, however, feels overstated.
Verdict
If rom-coms are meant to sweep you off your feet, Param Sundari barely manages a polite handshake. It leaves you unmoved, missing the spark that once defined the genre in films like Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na, or even Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania.
Sometimes technology can help you find a soulmate, but no algorithm can save a film that forgets to make you feel.