Priya Prakash Varrier, the actress who became a viral sensation in 2018 for her iconic wink in the Malayalam film Oru Adaar Love, has recently been spotted as a background extra in the Bollywood film Param Sundari, starring Sidharth Malhotra and Janhvi Kapoor. This unexpected appearance has sparked surprise and curiosity among fans, who are questioning why the actress accepted the role.

A video clip circulating on social media shows Varrier dressed in a red and white saree, walking behind Sidharth Malhotra in a crowd scene. The clip has triggered varied reactions from fans on platforms like Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), and Reddit.

Many fans expressed their shock and disappointment at seeing her in a non-speaking role. Some questioned her career trajectory, going from a viral sensation to a background extra. "She deserves better. From viral sensation to background?" one user commented. Others speculated about the reasons behind her decision, with some suggesting that her role might have been trimmed during editing. One fan wrote, "Editing can be ruthless, and character cuts are common. Only the bitter take pleasure in someone else's bad phase".

Some fans felt that Varrier should have been cast in a more prominent role, with some even suggesting that she would have been a better fit for Janhvi Kapoor's part. "She would have been better for taking up Janhvi Kapoor's role," one fan commented, with others agreeing.

However, some fans defended Varrier, pointing out that she is doing well in Southern films. In 2025, she appeared in the Tamil film Good Bad Ugly. Her performance in the film has been well-received, and her recreation of the song "Thottu Thottu Pesum Sultana" has gone viral.

Varrier's initial rise to fame was meteoric. Her wink in the song "Maanikya Malaraya Poovi" from Oru Adaar Love turned her into an overnight sensation and the most searched-for personality on Google in India in 2018. She has since acted in Malayalam, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, and Hindi films.

In an interview with Cue Studio, Varrier spoke about the preconceived notions that arose after her viral fame. She said that people assumed she was unapproachable, had an attitude, or demanded high remuneration, possibly stemming from the resentment that came with her sudden success. She acknowledged that people might have felt she achieved overnight what others struggled years for, leading to questions about her deservingness.

Param Sundari, the film in which Varrier appeared as an extra, has received mixed reviews. The film revolves around a cross-cultural romance between a Delhi man and a Kerala woman. Some have criticized the film for its clichéd portrayal of Malayalis, weak chemistry between the lead actors, and underwhelming plot. Janhvi Kapoor also received criticism for her accent in the film.