Sumukhi Suresh On Pushpavalli’s Success: “It Made People Realise That I Am Not Just A Stand Up Comic”

Digital sensation Sumukhi Suresh is known for breaking stereotypes with her acting and stand-up comedy gigs, and her web series “Pushpavalli” testifies the fact. Sumukhi, however, avers that she is still trying to make sure she loves herself before the people around her, and she is still working on her self worth and confidence.

“Pushpavalli” has Sumukhi playing the central role of a plus-sized woman, who is unapologetic about her weight. The show has also marked her transition from a stand-up comic to an actor and content creator, because she has also created the show.

Sumukhi surprises you saying she has had confidence issues, especially over her body, as the lead in the show.

“It’s been a long journey and I am still working on my self-worth and my confidence. I have realised loving yourself doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a marathon. I am trying to make sure I love myself before the people around me do. If this makes other girls also accept themselves and work towards liking themselves then I would love that.”

She asserts that “Pushpavalli” was never meant to give a “message or preach”.

“I mean the lead is a stalker who is insecure! But I think the fact that a big girl is the lead and got 2 seasons to be the lead sounds nice,” she said.

“Pushpavalli” is about a girl who is smitten by a “charming man and she decides to pursue him by moving cities and ends up inadvertently stalking him while he is clueless”. It addresses the issue of stalking in a lighter vein. The second season went live earlier this month.

Sumukhi, who has made a place for herself in showbiz as an improviser, a comedy sketch artiste and an actor, was shocked to see people loving the flawed character of Pushpavalli.

“I was shocked that they like Pushpavalli. Although I think it is because we never take a stand on her behalf. We show what is happening, what she is doing and the audience decides what they feel. We never feed that to them. I think when we had gotten to the shoot draft Debbie and I were very clear that she is sweet, naive but extreme too. I was sure in my head that I was playing an antagonist and there is no way people will like me. In fact, the more you hate me but can’t help but feel empathetic towards me the more it means we have succeeded,” she recalled.