New Delhi, August 29, 2025 : Sidharth Malhotra and Janhvi Kapoor are all set to charm audiences with their upcoming romantic comedy Param Sundari, releasing this Friday, August 29. Directed by Tushar Jalota, the film promises a cross-cultural love story between a Punjabi boy and a Malayali girl, infused with Maddock Films’ signature blend of humor and heart. But as excitement builds, trade experts are keeping a cautious eye on its box office performance.

Advance bookings show a mixed picture

Advance bookings for Param Sundari opened on August 26, three days prior to release. The film initially drew encouraging interest, selling over 10,000 tickets across platforms like BookMyShow and District in its first 24 hours. However, momentum slowed down as the release date approached, with sales flattening out by Thursday. While this might raise concerns, industry trackers note that romantic comedies generally rely less on massive opening days and more on sustained word-of-mouth.

Day 1 prediction: a decent but modest start

Trade estimates suggest Param Sundari could earn between ₹7–9 crore on opening day in India. While this would be considered a respectable start for the rom-com genre, it falls short of Maddock Films’ likely expectations. For perspective, Bhool Chuk Maaf managed ₹7.20 crore on day 1 earlier this year, while Dhadak 2 opened at a comparatively modest ₹3.35 crore.

The bigger challenge for Param Sundari is the shadow of Saiyaara. Last month, the Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda starrer surprised everyone with an explosive ₹21 crore debut, redefining expectations from romantic films. If predictions hold true, Param Sundari may not even reach half that figure, highlighting the tough competition in the genre.

The hope: word-of-mouth magic

Despite modest projections, experts emphasize that the ultimate fate of Param Sundari will depend less on its day 1 numbers and more on how audiences respond after release. Rom-coms often gain traction through repeat viewings and family audiences, especially if the narrative resonates. With Sidharth Malhotra’s charm and Janhvi Kapoor’s rising star power, coupled with catchy music and vibrant promotions, the film could still build steady momentum across its first weekend.

Comparisons with recent releases

The last few months have seen a revival of romance on the big screen, but results have been varied. Saiyaara shocked trade with its blockbuster debut, while films like Bhool Chuk Maaf and Dhadak 2 delivered middling performances. In this climate, Param Sundari enters with both opportunity and risk. A ₹9 crore opening, while below blockbuster levels, would position it decently within the year’s box office trends—provided it maintains growth in the coming days.

About the film

Param Sundari tells the story of a Punjabi boy (Sidharth Malhotra) who falls for a Malayali girl (Janhvi Kapoor), navigating cultural clashes, quirky families, and heartfelt romance. Produced by Dinesh Vijan under the Maddock Films banner, the movie also stars Renji Panicker, Manjot Singh, and Sanjay Kapoor in pivotal roles.

Whether Param Sundari can turn its modest opening into a long-lasting success remains to be seen. For now, the industry will be closely watching Friday’s collections and Saturday’s jump to determine if this romance can truly win hearts at the box office.