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When the makers dropped the first look teaser of Janhvi Kapoor and Sidharth Malhotra’s upcoming romantic drama Param Sundari social media lit up with nostalgia. Many users instantly drew parallels to Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone’s blockbuster Chennai Express (2013). The reasons? A North-meets-South storyline Janhvi’s accented dialogue as a girl from Kerala and flashes of comic romance reminded audiences of Deepika’s famous “bakwaas dictionary” moment. Some even nicknamed the film “Chennai Express lite.” What does Janhvi Kapoor think about the comparison? Janhvi Kapoor addressed the chatter in a recent interview with Mirchi Plus. She said “It’s a hit movie and it is an iconic movie. But Deepika (Padukone) played a Tamilian in the film which if you think about it is a generalisation happening from the people who are comparing the two films. I am from Kerala in the film and not all people from the South can be grouped together.” She further explained that Param Sundari has its own world its own setting. According to her such stories aren’t made every year and being compared to a cult film like Chennai Express should be seen in a positive light. How did Sidharth Malhotra respond? Sidharth Malhotra too welcomed the comparison calling it a mark of respect. “We don’t mind the comparison at all I think it is a compliment. I love that film and I am a fan of Rohit Shetty films. People remember certain things due to the nostalgia factor that is connected to them even though I don’t think that the two films are the same.” He pointed out that unlike Shah Rukh Khan’s character his own role and Janhvi’s character are firmly rooted in Kerala. He added that Janhvi plays someone with a mixed cultural identity — half Malayalam and half Tamilian. What makes Param Sundari different? While the comparisons are flattering both actors insist that Param Sundari is a unique film. Sidharth emphasised that the project aims to bring back the lost charm of Bollywood rom-coms citing classics like Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995) Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998) and Hum Tum (2004). Unlike the action-comedy tonality of Chennai Express Param Sundari leans towards an emotional love story set against cultural diversity mixing humour with romance. When is the film releasing? Directed by Tushar Jalota and produced by Dinesh Vijan under Maddock Films Param Sundari is slated to hit theatres on August 29. With the buzz already high and conversations swirling all eyes are on whether it can capture the same magic that Chennai Express did over a decade ago. Highlights Fans call Param Sundari the “Gen Z version” of Chennai Express Janhvi and Sidharth see the comparison as a compliment not criticism The film releases in theatres on August 29 under Maddock Films