Amid a wave of online criticism over her accent and portrayal of a Malayali character in the upcoming film Param Sundari, Bollywood actress Janhvi Kapoor has stepped forward to explain her role’s cultural background. The clarification comes as social media discourse heats up over authenticity and representation in cinema.
Character Heritage Explained
In a candid conversation with ET Digital, Janhvi revealed that her character in the cross-cultural romantic comedy is of mixed heritage—half Malayali and half Tamilian. She firmly asserted: “Of course, I’m not a Malayali, and neither was my mother, but my character is actually half-Tamilian and half-Malayali.” She added that the role offered her an opportunity to explore roots that feel personally meaningful.
Responding to the Critics
Although she did not directly address the trolling, Janhvi’s clarification emerges against a backdrop of vocal criticism. For the unversed, Malayalam singer Pavithra Menon openly questioned the casting choice and Janhvi’s accent. Menon’s critique went viral. She pointed out how certain stereotypes—jasmine-flower-wearing, Mohiniyattam-dancing Malayali women—are repeatedly recycled, eroding authentic representation.
Instagram Takedown Raises Censorship Debate
The controversy escalated when Menon’s critical video was removed from Instagram. She shared a screenshot noting the takedown was issued by a “third party,” not her. Menon captioned the post with, “Happy Independence Day to everyone who has a voice,” stirring further conversation around online censorship and freedom of expression.
Helmed by Tushar Jalota and produced under the Maddock Films banner by Dinesh Vijan, Param Sundari stars Sidharth Malhotra opposite Janhvi Kapoor. The film marks their stirring North-meets-South romance, releasing on August 29, 2025.