Critical response
Param Sundari received mixed to negative reviews from critics. On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes , 8% of 13 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 3.9/10. [27]
Bollywood Hungama rated the film 3.5 stars out of 5 and wrote, "On the whole, PARAM SUNDARI makes for a pleasant Bollywood rom-com. The story may follow a familiar template, yet the treatment ensures a breezy, light-hearted watch that connects well with the youth through its mix of emotions, romance, music, and drama. At the box office, the film is likely to open decently and has the potential for a healthy theatrical run." [28] Yatamanyu Narain of News18 rated the film 3.5 stars out of 5 and wrote "In the end, Param Sundari is a comfort food cinema. Paneer Butter Masala, idli-sambar, choose your metaphor. Familiar, yes, but warm, fragrant, and deeply satisfying. It may not aspire to gourmet innovation, but it fills the heart with the uncomplicated sweetness of first love, and the nostalgia of a genre once adored but now endangered. It leaves you smiling, maybe even believing, however briefly, in the miracle of soulmates, algorithm or no algorithm." [29]
Tanmayi Savadi of Times Now rated the film 3 stars out of 5 and wrote "Param Sundari is a visual and musical treat. Pardesiya is already a chartbuster, and it sounds even better in theatres. Kerala’s beauty is breathtaking and the cinematography is on point. At 2 hours and 16 minutes, Param Sundari is a balanced film. If you’re a fan of rom-coms, without stressing much on its legacy, Param Sundari is a decent one-time watch." [30] Dhaval Roy of The Times Of India rated the film 3 stars out of 5 and wrote "What works in the film's favour are the picturesque Kerala backdrops, tender moments, and Sachin-Jigar's music-particularly Pardesiya, Danger, and Sundari Ke Pyaar Mein. The humour is light in parts, though not every gag works equally well." [31]
Radhika Sharma of NDTV rated the film 3 stars out of 5 and wrote "Though a must-watch for all Sidharth Malhotra and Janhvi Kapoor fans, Param Sundari is not serving anything new in the romantic comedy genre. While it never promised to be a Saiyaara (a film set in the same umbrella genre of romance but not an intense drama), this new film is not as engaging." [32] Vineeta Kumar of India Today rated the film 2.5 stars out of 5 and wrote "Rom-coms are meant to be a guilty pleasure, the kind you sneak back to when you want comfort. 'Param Sundari', unfortunately, is the kind you forget about the moment the lights come back on. If a love story can’t sell love, what exactly is it selling?" [33]
Taher Ahmed of Deccan Herald gave the film 2 out of 5 stars, describing it as "old wine in a new bottle" filled with stereotypes, and added that the film lacked substance and the performances fell flat. [34] Amar Ujala, writing in Hindi, gave the film 2 out of 5 stars and stated that "Param Sundari was good only till the trailer, dull story and Sidharth's fake expressions will give you trouble", while also noting that the film's strength lies in its music. [35] Lachmi Deb Roy of Firstpost rated the film 2 stars out of 5 and wrote "The film has its heart in the right place as it addresses multiple issues especially how today’s generation decides everything on the basis of AI and algorithms and doesn’t listen either to their heart or head. But towards the end the film does get overtly exhausting with its so-called forced cuteness and simplicity." [36] Shubra Gupta of The Indian Express rated the film 1.5 stars out of 5 and wrote "Sidharth Malhotra-Janhvi Kapoor film struggles to find both rom and com", saying there is no sizzle between Sidharth and Janhvi while also mentioning that the writing was bland and full of bumper-sticker lines. [37]
Kartik Bhardwaj of Cinema Express rated the film 1.5 out of 5, writing that "Sidharth Malhotra and Janhvi Kapoor’s rom-com goes south from the get go", calling it an unoriginal and dated idea, and opining that Malhotra and Kapoor lacked good chemistry. [38] Rishabh Suri of Hindustan Times rated the film 0.5 stars out of 5 and wrote "Overall, if rom-coms are meant to sweep you off your feet, Param Sundari barely manages a polite handshake. Sometimes, technology may help you find a soulmate, but no algorithm can save a film that forgets to make you feel." [39] Debanjan Dhar of Outlook India rated the film 0.5 stars out of 5 and wrote, "Sidharth Malhotra And Janhvi Kapoor Are The Year’s Dullest Duo In Kerala-Tourism-Ad Disaster", opining that in the film, the north-south India chasm is called up for silly, flat comedy and that Siddharth and Janhvi shared the most leaden chemistry. [40] Rahul Desai of The Hollywood Reporter India in his review wrote "The culture-clash romcom, starring Sidharth Malhotra and Janhvi Kapoor, has no identity of its own" , opining it to be a soulless and derivate romcom and called the love triangle witless. [41]
