The upcoming Bollywood film Param Sundari, starring Janhvi Kapoor and Sidharth Malhotra, is already generating buzz, but not all of it is welcome. Since the trailer's release, many have drawn comparisons between the film and the 2013 Shah Rukh Khan-Deepika Padukone hit, Chennai Express. However, Kapoor and Malhotra are pushing back against these comparisons, emphasizing the distinct stories, characters, and settings of their film.

Param Sundari tells the story of a cross-cultural romance between a North Indian boy and a girl from Kerala. This North-meets-South dynamic has triggered comparisons to Chennai Express, which also featured a romance between characters from different regions of India.

In a recent interview with Mirchi Plus, Kapoor addressed the comparisons directly. While acknowledging Chennai Express's iconic status and success, she pointed out key differences. Kapoor explained that Deepika Padukone's character in Chennai Express was a Tamilian, while her own character in Param Sundari is half-Malayali and half-Tamilian. She believes that the comparisons generalize South Indian identities, emphasizing that "not all people from the South can be grouped together". Kapoor stated, "It's a different milieu altogether, and it's not like that this is a repetitive thing at all".

Malhotra echoed Kapoor's sentiments, viewing the comparison as a compliment, as he is a fan of Chennai Express and director Rohit Shetty. However, he also highlighted the differences between the two films. He noted that Shah Rukh Khan's character was not from Delhi and the story didn't take place in Kerala. He said that Param Sundari is more focused on reviving the classic Bollywood rom-com vibe, referencing films like Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Hum Tum, and Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge.

Both actors emphasized that Param Sundari aims for regional specificity, with Kapoor's character explicitly identified as part Malayali and part Tamilian. They believe this distinguishes their film from broader North versus South caricatures.

Directed by Tushar Jalota, Param Sundari also stars Rajeev Khandelwal and Aakash Dahiya in pivotal roles. The film is slated to release on August 29, and it remains to be seen how audiences will receive this new take on the cross-cultural romance.