Janhvi Kapoor rules out Malayalam again after Param Sundari struggle
Synopsis
Janhvi Kapoor has drawn a clear line — Malayalam is off her to-do list for the foreseeable future. After finding Tamil and Telugu phonetically familiar, she is doubling down on South Indian cinema with Peddi due on 4 June, while keeping Tamil films firmly in her crosshairs. It is a candid, self-aware pivot from a Bollywood star who is quietly building one of Hindi cinema's more ambitious cross-industry careers.
Key Takeaways
Janhvi Kapoor says she will not attempt Malayalam again, calling it 'too difficult' after her role in Param Sundari ( 2025 ).
She feels phonetically more comfortable with Tamil and Telugu and wants to explore Tamil films next.
Her upcoming Telugu film Peddi , directed by Buchi Babu Sana , releases on 4 June .
The cast of Peddi includes Boman Irani , Shiva Rajkumar , Jagapathi Babu , and Divyenndu .
Kapoor made her Bollywood debut in 2018 with Dhadak and has since worked across genres and industries.
Janhvi Kapoor has candidly admitted that Malayalam proved far too challenging for her, ruling out another attempt at the language in the near future. The actress, who expanded her linguistic range with her Telugu debut in Devara: Part 1 (2024) and her Malayalam outing in Param Sundari (2025), says she feels far more at home with Tamil and Telugu.
Why Malayalam Is Off the Table for Now
'But I don't think I should attempt Malayalam again because it's too difficult for me. It's such a beautiful, sweet language. But I think I've been phonetically quite familiar with Tamil and Telugu,' Janhvi said. The actress acknowledged the language's beauty while being candid about her limitations — a refreshing admission from a star navigating multiple film industries simultaneously.
Her Growing Love for South Indian Cinema
Kapoor made clear that her appetite for regional cinema remains strong, even if Malayalam is off the menu for now. 'So, I'm really enjoying working in Telugu films. I'd love to explore Tamil films as well,' she said. The actress described herself as effectively multilingual, citing her growing comfort with South Indian phonetics as a key advantage.
Peddi and What's Coming Next
Kapoor is currently gearing up for the release of her upcoming Telugu film Peddi, directed by Buchi Babu Sana and set to hit screens on 4 June. The film features an ensemble cast including Boman Irani, Shiva Rajkumar, Jagapathi Babu, and Divyenndu. Notably, Sana previously directed the critically acclaimed Uppena, raising expectations for Peddi.
Her Bollywood Journey So Far
On the Hindi film front, Kapoor was most recently seen in Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari, directed by Shashank Khaitan, alongside Varun Dhawan, Sanya Malhotra, Rohit Saraf, Maniesh Paul, and Akshay Oberoi. The film followed two heartbroken individuals who team up to disrupt their former partners' wedding.
Since her 2018 debut in Dhadak, Kapoor has steadily built a diverse filmography spanning Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl, Mili, and Homebound, the last of which earned her praise for portraying a woman navigating social discrimination. With Peddi on the horizon and Tamil cinema in her sights, Kapoor's cross-industry ambitions show no sign of slowing down.
Point of View
Combined with Buchi Babu Sana's track record and a strong ensemble in Peddi, suggests her South Indian push is considered rather than opportunistic. The real question is whether audiences in Tamil Nadu will respond to a Hindi star who openly admits she is still learning the phonetic ropes — or whether that honesty itself becomes an asset.
NationPress
15 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why won't Janhvi Kapoor attempt Malayalam again?
Janhvi Kapoor has said Malayalam is too difficult for her phonetically, making another attempt unlikely in the near future. She described the language as 'beautiful and sweet' but acknowledged she is far more comfortable with Tamil and Telugu.
What is Janhvi Kapoor's next film Peddi about?
Peddi is a Telugu film directed by Buchi Babu Sana, releasing on 4 June. It features an ensemble cast including Boman Irani, Shiva Rajkumar, Jagapathi Babu, Divyenndu, and Janhvi Kapoor.
Which Malayalam film did Janhvi Kapoor appear in?
Janhvi Kapoor appeared in Param Sundari, a 2025 Malayalam film. It came after her Telugu debut in Devara: Part 1 in 2024.
Does Janhvi Kapoor want to work in Tamil films?
Yes, Kapoor has expressed a clear desire to explore Tamil cinema, saying she feels phonetically familiar with the language. She described enjoying her Telugu work and wanting to extend that into Tamil films as well.
What was Janhvi Kapoor's Bollywood film before Peddi?
Her most recent Bollywood release was Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari, directed by Shashank Khaitan, co-starring Varun Dhawan and Sanya Malhotra. She has also received critical attention for her performance in Homebound.
