Janhvi Kapoor says her 'Param Sundari' character is half-Tamilian, half-Malayali

Actor Janhvi Kapoor recently spoke about the cultural roots of her character in the upcoming film 'Param Sundari'. The film, which sees her play a South Indian character, has sparked criticism on social media, with many questioning the authenticity of her Malayalam inflexions. Speaking to ET Digital, Janhvi clarified that her role was written as a character with a mixed South Indian background — half-Tamilian and half-Malayali.

She said that the project felt special to her because it allowed her to explore a part of her roots. While she is neither Malayali herself nor was her mother, Janhvi added that she has always been fascinated by the culture and has long been an admirer of Malayalam cinema.

Her clarification comes at a time when discussions around representation in films have grown sharper, with audiences calling out superficial portrayals of regional identities. Though she did not directly respond to the trolling, Janhvi hinted that she feels a deeper connection to the role than what is being perceived online.

'Param Sundari' has been pitched as a lighthearted romantic comedy but arrives with the added weight of expectation, especially with the debate around how convincingly its lead actress embodies a South Indian character. With the release approaching, the conversation around Janhvi’s performance has already set the stage for how the film will be received.