Mumbai: Actor Priya Prakash Varrier, who rose to fame with her viral wink from the 2019 Malayalam film ‘Oru Adaar Love’, has unexpectedly found herself in the spotlight again — this time for a background role in the Bollywood film Param Sundari.

Fans were quick to notice that the actress, who became an overnight Internet sensation with her eyebrow dance, was reduced to a silent extra without dialogue. The film, starring Sidharth Malhotra and Janhvi Kapoor, gained traction online after eagle-eyed viewers spotted Varrier walking behind Malhotra in one scene.

In viral clips circulating on social media, Priya is seen wearing a red-and-white saree, silently passing by in a crowd sequence. “I can’t believe no one noticed this earlier,” wrote one fan, as the video sparked a debate online.

Fans Question Casting Decision

Priya’s brief and uncredited appearance led to sharp reactions. Many social media users argued that a popular Malayali actor like her should have been given a more meaningful role.

“From viral star to background actor? She deserves much better,” one user commented. Another remarked, “Priya Varrier would have been more suitable than Janhvi Kapoor for this role.”

Some netizens defended the move, suggesting that her role might have been trimmed during editing. But many agreed that Bollywood had missed an opportunity to showcase a Malayali talent in a film that heavily revolves around a Malayali character.

Criticism Over Janhvi Kapoor’s Role And Stereotyping

Directed by Tushar Jalota, Param Sundari casts Janhvi Kapoor as Thekkepattu Sundari Damodharan Pillai, a character described as half-Malayali and half-Tamilian. But even before its release, the trailer stirred controversy.

Malayali audiences expressed disappointment with Kapoor’s accent and her mispronunciation of Malayalam words, including “thenga” (coconut). The character’s long name was also deemed inaccurate. Content creators questioned why the filmmakers did not consider using a Malayali actress or at least dubbing her dialogue.

After the film’s release on August 29, criticism intensified. A sequence showing Janhvi Kapoor climbing a coconut tree was slammed for reducing Malayali culture to stereotypes. “This is Bollywood’s lazy way of representing Kerala — coconuts and nothing more,” one user complained.

Adding to the discontent, several content creators alleged that Instagram took down their videos criticising the film’s trailer.

Priya Prakash Varrier’s Career So Far

After Oru Adaar Love, Priya appeared in multiple Malayalam and Telugu films before making her Hindi debut with Yaariyan 2 in 2023. She is currently working on Ajith Kumar’s Tamil project Good Bad Ugly and upcoming Hindi titles 3 Monkeys and Love Hackers.

Despite these roles, her appearance in Param Sundari as a silent extra has raised questions about Bollywood’s casting choices and the representation of Malayalis in mainstream cinema.