Janhvi Kapoor x Param Sundari: If there’s one thing the internet loves, it’s a good laugh. And Janhvi Kapoor gave it to them, whether she wanted to or not. The actress, who stars in the upcoming Hindi film ‘Param Sundari’, took on a Malayali character named Thekkapetta Sundari. But within days of the trailer dropping, social media was buzzing; not with praise, but with memes, trolls, and viral videos poking fun at her Malayalam.
The controversy starts with the name itself. “Thekkapetta Sundari” translates roughly to “betrayed beauty” in Malayalam slang. Some speculate Janhvi may have mispronounced the more common family name, ‘Thekkepaatil’, when rattling off her character’s full name: Thekkapetta Sundari Damodaran Pillai.
In Malayalam slang, ‘Thekkuka’, literally meaning “to iron”, has taken on a darker meaning, used mostly to describe women who “betray” men. It has misogynist undertones to it.
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The backlash was immediate. Instagram singer and influencer Pavithra Menon posted a short critique of Janhvi’s Malayalam, pointing out how awkward and inaccurate it sounded. The video quickly went viral, only to be removed from Instagram, apparently without Pavithra’s consent.
Sharing the removal notice, she wrote, “Happy Independence Day to everyone who has a voice.” She also questioned the filmmakers’ choice, asking why they didn’t cast a Malayali actor for a Malayali role.
Pavithra reminded viewers that Malayalis aren’t just defined by jasmine flowers in their hair or performing Mohiniyattam. These are the stereotypes often lazily thrown into Hindi films.
Janhvi’s attempt at Malayalam drew extra scrutiny because of her family legacy. Her late mother, the legendary Sridevi, had set the bar sky-high in South Indian cinema. Sridevi’s early Tamil and Malayalam films are still fondly remembered in Kerala.