Param Sundari hit theatres on August 29 with big names, a vibrant soundtrack, and high hopes of a solid opening. However, the film has not managed to charm audiences at the box office on its first day. According to early trade reports, the Sidharth Malhotra and Janhvi Kapoor starrer grossed only Rs 7.25 crore on Friday. This lukewarm start has raised questions about whether the film can hold strong over the weekend.
The Tushar Jalota directorial witnessed low occupancy across theatres in India, with an average rate of just 12 percent on its opening day. While Bengaluru and Chennai gave the film its strongest turnout, other cities including Bhopal, Ahmedabad, and Surat barely managed to draw crowds. Even Mumbai and Delhi NCR could not push occupancy beyond 15 percent. The film was released across nearly 5000 screens in India but failed to make the impact that was expected from a romantic entertainer featuring such a star cast.
Param Sundari was already generating chatter online before release, with comparisons being drawn to films like Chennai Express and 2 States. However, the reality at the box office paints a different picture. The film’s weak start stands in stark contrast to Saiyaara, which continues to be a blockbuster with global earnings crossing the 500 crore mark.
The movie’s strengths lie in its music, especially the track Pardesiya which has been widely loved since its launch. The chemistry between Sidharth and Janhvi has also been highlighted by fans who enjoyed their on screen presence. At the same time, the casting of Janhvi as a South Indian girl has been criticised by audiences and cultural commentators. Social media discussions have pointed out inaccuracies in the film’s portrayal of Kerala culture, especially when compared with recent regional successes like Lokah Chapter 1.
Despite the criticism, some viewers have found Param Sundari to be a feel good rom com that thrives on the charm of its lead pair and the infectious energy of its music. One user described it as a film that works simply because the leads cannot take their eyes off each other. Others felt that the story was unoriginal and leaned heavily on music instead of building authentic characters and cultural depth.
Param Sundari stars Sidharth Malhotra and Janhvi Kapoor alongside Sanjay Kapoor, Manjot Singh, Renji Panicker, Inayat Verma, and Siddhartha Shankar in key supporting roles. Produced by Maddock Films, the movie narrates the cross cultural journey of a Delhi boy Param and a Kerala girl Sundari.
As the weekend unfolds, all eyes are on whether Param Sundari can pull in larger crowds with positive word of mouth or if it will continue to struggle in the shadow of stronger releases.
For more updates on movies, reviews, and box office trends, follow Binge Moves on Instagram and Facebook.
