Updated On: 18 August, 2025 08:29 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Singer-RJ Pavithra Menon criticized the portrayal of Malayali women—such as wearing jasmine flowers and performing Mohiniyattam in daily life—and questioned why a Malayali actress was not cast

A still from Param Sundari
The trailer for Sidharth Malhotra and Janhvi Kapoor's next Hindi film 'Param Sundari' has created uproar among Malayali viewers, with numerous content creators reporting that critical posts on Instagram have been erased.
Pavithra Menon, a singer and RJ, was among the first to criticize the film's portrayal of Malayali women. In a now-deleted video, she asked why a Malayali actress was not hired in the starring role, saying, "Women in Kerala do not walk around wearing jasmine flowers and dancing Mohiniyattam."
Her video was quickly removed, with Instagram citing Maddock Films' copyright claim. Menon shared a screenshot of the announcement, saying, "Happy Independence Day to everyone who has a voice."