When “Param Sundari” Became More Than a Song
To most people, Param Sundari is a high-energy track — a burst of rhythm, grace, and glitter that stole the spotlight the moment it released. But the more one looks at it, the clearer it becomes that the song isn’t just about glamour. It’s about the woman at its core, the unspoken character who emerges through movement, expression, and storytelling. And in many ways, she reflects the journey of the actress who brought her to life.
A Goddess Draped in Modernity
In the world of Param Sundari, the main “character” is the iconic persona played by Kriti Sanon — a woman who walks into the frame not as an object of admiration but as a symbol of self-worth. She is bold, electric, rooted, and unapologetically herself. Traditionally, Bollywood item numbers reduce their central performer to a spectacle. But in this one, Kriti’s character isn’t being looked at — she’s commanding the gaze.
This shift wasn’t accidental. The choreography, styling, and expressions were designed to balance divinity and modern femininity. The very name Param Sundari evokes not just beauty but “the ultimate beauty,” something mystical and powerful. In Indian lore, such a woman often represents Shakti — energy, creation, confidence — and Kriti tapped into exactly that archetype.
The Real Woman Behind the On-Screen Goddess
Kriti Sanon wasn’t always the sleek, confident performer we now associate with this song. She has spoken openly in interviews about the insecurities she faced early in her career — not fitting the typical Bollywood mold, being dismissed as “too tall,” or “too delicate,” or “too girl-next-door” for big dance numbers. The grit it took for her to break out of that box mirrors the arc of the Param Sundari persona.
When she took on the song, Kriti had just finished emotionally heavy scenes for Mimi, where she had to gain weight and embody a completely different version of herself. Transitioning from that vulnerable character to the flamboyant, high-energy avatar in Param Sundari required discipline — both physical and emotional.
Her journey to becoming the “sundari” on screen wasn’t about vanity. It was about reclaiming comfort in her own body after months of transformation. Training, rehearsals, diets, injuries — all of that fed into the fire you see in her expressions during the song. It wasn’t merely performance; it was a woman rediscovering her strength.
A Character Born from Indian Cultural Memory
Beyond performance, Param Sundari also channels a cultural archetype deeply rooted in Indian storytelling: the woman whose presence shifts the atmosphere. Whether in folk songs, temple lore, or classical dance, India has always celebrated women who carry radiance like an aura — tej, as tradition calls it.
You can see this influence in the way the camera frames Kriti against traditional motifs, her movements echoing Lavani, Kathak, and folk rhythms. Even her expressions have that familiar Indian dramatic sharpness — the raised brow that hints at mischief, the side-glance that asserts power.
Behind the scenes, the choreography team specifically asked her to study classical poses and hand gestures so that the song wouldn’t drift into generic Bollywood glamour. This decision rooted the character in something ancient even as the music blasted contemporary beats.
How Kriti Prepared to Become “The Ultimate Beauty”
Much of the preparation for Param Sundari was physical — hours of rehearsal to hit the relentlessly fast footwork, stamina building, and strength training. But the deeper preparation was emotional.
Because the song appears after a major arc in the film’s story, Kriti had to access a version of her character who wasn’t just dancing — she was reclaiming herself. She journaled the character’s feelings before filming, a technique she adopted from international performers. She even requested the director let her perform some takes without playback music, focusing only on expression and internal rhythm so she could “feel” the character before matching choreography.
Those silent takes, according to people present on set, were some of the most powerful moments during filming — Kriti moving in complete quiet, breathing life into a woman who had risen from hardship.
When the First Glimpse Dropped, The Internet Lost Control
The release of the teaser created an immediate storm. Social media debates erupted about the styling, the choreography, the expressions — everyone had an opinion. But the recurring reaction was one word: transformation.
Fans praised how she jumped from a weight-gain performance in Mimi to this glamorous avatar with fire in her eyes. Many viewers who followed her for years felt proud, calling it her most confident screen presence yet. Dance enthusiasts broke down the footwork frame-by-frame. Meme pages, naturally, did their own remixing.
There was excitement, but also a sense of reclaiming — audiences felt Param Sundari didn’t objectify its central dancer but empowered her.
The On-Set Moments No One Usually Mentions
While the final product feels effortless, the shoot wasn’t. The set was lit with intense heat-generating lights to create the signature golden glow, making the temperature nearly unbearable. Crew members repeatedly had to pause to cool the floor, which would heat up to the point where Kriti’s feet started burning during high-speed steps. At one point, a backup dancer fainted and had to be revived with hydration packs.
Kriti reportedly insisted on doing the tougher steps herself, refusing body doubles even when she was exhausted. After one particularly brutal take that left her gasping, the director asked if she wanted a break. She shook her head, saying, “If I stop, the energy will drop. Roll again.”
There was also a lighter moment: the choreographer joked that her hip movements were “too technical,” and asked her to dance “like someone is teasing her from across the room at a shaadi.” That cue changed everything, bringing out the playful sass that later became the song’s signature.
Why the Character Still Lives in Pop Culture
Even today, Param Sundari is more than a dance number. It represents a shift — a celebration of a woman taking charge of her own image, her own beauty, her own aura. The character remains iconic because she embodies the confidence so many women aspire to, blending cultural grace with modern fire.
And perhaps that’s why the song endures. It is glamorous, yes. But underneath the sheen is a story — of the character, of the actress, and of every woman trying to reclaim the narrative of her own beauty.