In an industry where surnames open doors but talent secures legacy, Janhvi Kapoor continues to prove that nepotism can only carry a career so far. With a filmography littered with box office misfires, and performances that range from forgettable to outright awkward, Kapoor is now poised to test the limits of even the most successful production houses. Her latest outing, Param Sundari, under the reliable Maddock Films banner, might just be the beginning of the end for the studio’s golden streak.
Let’s not sugarcoat it: Janhvi Kapoor has yet to deliver a single bonafide hit. In an industry driven by numbers and audience reception, she has had the backing of every major banner — Dharma Productions, Nadiadwala Grandsons, Lyca Productions, Colour Yellow, Mahaveer Jain Films, and now twice with Maddock Films — yet none of her films have managed to leave a lasting impact commercially or critically. That isn’t an unlucky streak. That’s a pattern.
Her first collaboration with Maddock Films, Roohi (2021), was a supernatural horror comedy that failed spectacularly. Meant to be a follow-up in the horror-comedy universe that began with Stree, the film was everything Stree wasn’t — tonally confused, clumsily acted, and forgotten within a week of release. Kapoor’s performance? Wooden, underwhelming, and completely lacking the comic timing or emotional depth the genre demands. Now she returns with Param Sundari, a romantic comedy set against the backwaters of Kerala, and Maddock is gambling big on an actor who’s yet to prove her worth.
The most concerning element of Param Sundari is its reliance on Janhvi’s screen presence and acting chops to carry a film that reportedly leans into strong emotional beats and cultural nuance. Unfortunately, Kapoor’s past performances suggest she struggles with both. Whether in Gunjan Saxena, where her attempt at internalised resilience came across as flat, or Mili, where survival drama demanded more than her glossy-eyed confusion, Kapoor has consistently under-delivered. Critics and audiences alike have noted her inability to emote beyond surface-level expressions, leaving viewers disconnected and disinterested.
What makes Param Sundari particularly vulnerable is Maddock Films’ otherwise impeccable track record. From Stree to Hindi Medium, Luka Chuppi, Bhediya, and Zara Hatke Zara Bachke, the studio has carved a niche for blending commercial entertainment with smart storytelling. But no production house is immune to bad casting choices, and Maddock’s blind spot here might be its most expensive one yet.
Insiders already suggest Param Sundari feels like a muddled attempt at replicating the charm of films like Chennai Express or Raanjhanaa. But instead of roping in an actress with the versatility and presence of a Deepika Padukone or Sonam Kapoor, we get Janhvi — who, visually, looks like a confused hybrid between Deepika and Sanya Malhotra but lacks the fire, precision, or authenticity of either. It’s a casting disaster wrapped in glitter.
And while Kapoor recently appeared in Devara: Part 1 with Jr. NTR and Saif Ali Khan — a box office success on paper — her contribution to the film was negligible, and her presence felt more like a checklist inclusion than a narrative necessity. The fact that Part 2 is indefinitely delayed speaks volumes about the studio’s urgency — or lack thereof — to build on her character.
If Param Sundari flops, it won’t just be another dent in Kapoor’s career — it will be a rare black mark on Maddock Films’ resume. Betting on stardom without substance is always risky, and in Janhvi Kapoor’s case, it might finally prove fatal for a film that had everything going for it — except a capable lead.