As Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations sweep across Mumbai, Bollywood stars are making their way to iconic pandals to offer prayers. Among them, Sidharth Malhotra and Janhvi Kapoor turned heads with their visit to Lalbaugcha Raja, one of the city’s most revered Ganpati mandals. Their appearance comes just days before the release of their upcoming film Param Sundari, which hits theatres on August 29.
Jahnvi Kapoor’s Red Saree Look
Dressed in traditional attire, the duo made a graceful entry into the mandap. Janhvi Kapoor looked radiant in a red silk saree, while Sidharth Malhotra opted for a classic kurta, embracing the festive spirit. As they walked toward the pandal, they exchanged smiles and brief words, clearly enjoying the spiritual atmosphere. Videos from the visit have already gone viral, with fans praising their simplicity and devotion.
This Ganesh Chaturthi outing also marks a promotional moment for Param Sundari, which brings Sidharth and Janhvi together on screen for the first time. Directed by Tushar Jalota, the film explores a cross-cultural romance between a spirited Delhi boy and a grounded girl from Kerala. The narrative promises emotional depth, cultural clashes, and heartwarming moments. In addition to the lead pair, the film features Rajeev Khandelwal and Aakash Dahiya in key roles, adding further weight to the ensemble cast.
Adding to the excitement, Janhvi shared stunning pictures from her Lalbaugcha Raja visit on Instagram. Draped in a vibrant red saree, she captioned the post with a heartfelt “Ganapati Bappa Morya,” which resonated with fans across the country. Her post quickly garnered thousands of likes and comments, further fueling anticipation for the film.
Despite the buzz, Param Sundari hasn’t escaped scrutiny. Many viewers have pointed out similarities between the film and Shah Rukh Khan–Deepika Padukone’s Chennai Express. Moreover, Janhvi Kapoor’s accent in the film has sparked criticism, especially from a Malayali actress and a social media influencer.
Responding to the backlash, Janhvi addressed the issue in a recent interview. She clarified, “My character is from Kerala, and it’s important to understand that South India isn’t a monolith. Each region has its own culture and dialect. Films like 2 States also explored similar themes, but that didn’t make them repetitive. Chennai Express was iconic, and being compared to it isn’t a bad thing.”
With just a day left for its theatrical release, Param Sundari is riding high on publicity and public curiosity. The blend of romance, cultural nuance, and star power makes it one of the most awaited films of the season. Whether it lives up to the comparisons or carves its own identity, audiences will decide soon enough.
