Latest news with #SumukhiSuresh

I Watched Indian Content Creators Play The Real-Life Squid Game, And Now I Want A Squid-Game Theme Park

Buzz Feed

5 days ago

Entertainment
Buzz Feed

I Watched Indian Content Creators Play The Real-Life Squid Game, And Now I Want A Squid-Game Theme Park

So, you know of Netflix's Squid Game. That show with the high stakes, life-or-death tasks that have us collectively going 'WTF' whenever a new game is introduced. Its third season released on Friday. It's also one of Netflix's most successful shows, owing to its unique theme and storyline. Want to know more about the brutalities of being poor in a hyper-capitalist, unequal world? Squid Game will open your eyes and keep you on the edge of your seat. To promote the release of the third season, Netflix India invited 19 of the most popular content creators to play a version of this game, and called for fans to witness it live. I had a seat at the event, and here's my experience. As I and the throngs of fans waited for the gates to open, we were monitored by the masked men in red—making the whole thing feel super realz. The audience was enthusiastic about the idea of watching someone play Squid Game live. Looking at those uniforms immediately activated my fight-or-flight. Thank you for that, Netflix. 2. The game set-up was, hands down, the best part of the event. And yes, the giant creepy doll was there too. One of the best parts about Squid Game is the game set-up—it is vibrant, colorful, and reminiscent of the participants' childhood, which makes watching it even harder because people literally die on these colourful grounds. I was curious about how the games would turn out to be in real life, and I was positively floored. The set was absolutely grand, mimicking the games we've seen in season 2. There was just so much to take in—the giant creepy doll, the merry-go-round, and the doors, waiting for participants to fight tooth and nail to enter. The meticulous attention to detail truly got me. Oh, and fun fact: the production design was headed by a woman! A big win all around. 3. The competition was hosted by Rahul Dua and Sumukhi Suresh, and the 20th player was chosen from the audience. It felt a bit odd to see an uneven number of content creators as participants. But that was quickly cleared up—hosts Rahul Dua and Sumukhi Suresh announced that there would be 20 players, and the 20th would be one of us. The selection process? Cookie tins were hidden under random seats in the stadium—if you found one, you could choose to participate in the first round to qualify for the finals. Yes, that cookie—the one with the shapes from season 1. Told ya, the attention to detail was *chef's kiss*. After a chaotic first round, where participants had to carve out the shape from the cookie (throwback!), they moved on to the infamous red light, green light—with the creepy doll watching, of course. We finally had a winner, and the crowd absolutely lost it cheering him on. 4. The content creators were welcomed by a roaring crowd. Once the 20th participant was picked from among us, it was time for the real Squid Game to begin. One by one, the content creators were called in—and their fans cheered like it was a full-blown arena match. Among the many familiar faces were Sakshi Shivdasani, Apoorva Mukhija aka The Rebel Kid, Vishnu Kaushal, Aaditya Kulshreshth aka Kullu, and Shreya Kalra. And of course, the pre-game banter? Top-tier. Kanksha Raina 5. We saw a glimpse of a game from Squid Game 3. Kanksha Raina Because I clearly have no life and have already binge-watched all of season 3, I can now confirm—we did get a glimpse of a game this season. A classic from childhood, it was a skipping rope game where participants had to, well, skip—and make sure the rope didn't smack into them. The shifting speed of the rope made it surprisingly fun to watch. Once again, major props to the set design team for pulling off such an over-the-top, giant set-up. 6. Content creators had to participate in games from Squid Game 2, and things got COMPETITIVE. Kanksha Raina Everything was hunky-dory—until it was time for the merry-go-round. It was one of the most intense games in season 2, and yep, it delivered just as much chaos in real life. Participants were scrambling to find the right number of people and an open door, and it got so hectic that one person had to be eliminated from the room because they were the odd one out. One of the creators literally clung to someone else's leg in an effort to stay in the game. Desperate times. 7. The winner did go home with a cash prize along with bragging rights, and the audience got to explore the set. Kanksha Raina I won't spoil who took the win, but let's just say there was a cash prize—and they made sure to flaunt it at the end (honestly, fair). But the real cherry on top? We got to go down to the actual set and spend time there! It was ridiculously cool taking pictures with the red-suited guards, the giant merry-go-round, and of course, gawking at the sheer size of those creepy dolls up close. All in all, it was incredibly fun watching people participate in low-stakes Squid Game, which compels me to repeat: we need to make this a theme park. And until that is a reality, here's a picture of me with the giant, creepy doll. I was asked to pose; you can't say no when you're in the Squid Game. Kanksha Raina

Myntra's M-Now blends urgency and style in new ad

Time of India

23-06-2025

Entertainment
Time of India

Myntra's M-Now blends urgency and style in new ad

Myntra has launched its latest campaign for M-Now. Conceptualised by DDB Mudra , the ad film features actor Vihaan Samat , actor and comedian Sumukhi Suresh , and popular influencers, Sakshi Shivdasani and Ayesha Kanga , in its two ad films. With a humorous and relatable take on emergencies, the campaign positions Myntra's new expedited delivery service, M-Now, as the trusted platform for delivering fashion and beauty fixes, starting ~30 minutes. Vihaan Samat, Sumukhi Suresh, Sakshi Shivdasani, and Ayesha Kanga, have been roped in for the ad films owing to their deep connection with the audience and their ability to bring relatable characters to life. Vihaan, known for his effortless charm and portrayal of modern, relatable characters, adds an endearing and grounded energy to the narrative. Sumukhi, known for her sharp wit and ability to turn everyday chaos into comedy gold, brings a distinct mix of humour and relatability to the narrative. Meanwhile, Sakshi and Ayesha have become favorites among Gen Z, known for their authentic and relatable content that resonates deeply with younger audiences. Their ability to capture the humor and chaos of everyday life makes them a perfect fit for the campaign's playful take on fashion and beauty emergencies, ensuring it strikes the right chord with viewers. Meanwhile, Sakshi and Ayesha face a beauty crisis at the police station just before their mugshots are taken. Both scenarios highlight the urgency for quick fashion and beauty solutions, and how M-Now delivers trendy styles and beauty fixes in minutes, ensuring that looking good is never an emergency too big to handle. Abhishek Gour, senior director, marketing, Myntra, said, 'This new campaign blends humor with our promise of speed and style, positioning M-Now as the go-to for looking great—anytime, anywhere, without any compromises.' Samat said, 'What really drew me to this campaign was the way it blends humor with those moments of unexpected urgency we all face. We've all had situations where we're racing against time to look good, whether it's for an important meeting, an event, or even just to feel confident. The campaign captures that feeling perfectly, showing how fashion and beauty fixes can be just a tap away when you need them the most. It was a lot of fun bringing these moments to life and working with Myntra to create something lighthearted, relatable, and stylish.' Sumukhi said, 'I loved being part of a campaign that brought together style and spontaneity. Lately, I have found confidence in fashion and how much it has helped me express myself and it's a bonus that this campaign's narrative leans into humour while being relatable and reaching a wider audience.' Watch the video here:

Sumukhi Suresh: ‘I do self-censorship because I want to last for long'

Indian Express

20-06-2025

Entertainment
Indian Express

Sumukhi Suresh: ‘I do self-censorship because I want to last for long'

Though comedian-actor Sumukhi Suresh's vivacity caught the attention of many as she danced with actor Dino Morea during a masquerade ball sequence in the recently-released Netflix series 'The Royals', it's her comedic talent that has been filling up large venues with audiences who turn up to watch her perform sketches. 'Performing for a big room has given me a risk appetite which artistes need sometimes. To taste the success of a big room that has assembled to hear you speak is such a boost and encouragement to perform and do better,' says Sumukhi, who recently performed 'Hormonal' at the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre's (NMACC) The Grand Theatre. The set, initially named 'Hoemonal' (2022), borrows heavily from her experiences during the pandemic-induced lockdown. It was during this period that Sumukhi discovered that she had PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome), causing hormonal imbalances and weight gain. Also, among her pandemic realisation was that she wasn't well-versed with the dating game. So much so that her disastrous experiences triggered a fear of dying alone, giving her enough fodder for 'Hormonal'. Sumukhi Suresh concedes that performing the show at the packed 2,000-seater NMACC venue is as much a surreal experience as it is a statement of power, which silences the critics who doubt whether women can be funny. 'How can women not be funny? Look at your mother. Our mothers are constantly funny,' says the Mumbai-based artiste, adding that 'the ultimate validation comes from the audience, who buy the ticket and attend the show.' Through a series of sketches, she examines the lives of single, urban women in their 30s, the search for love, the fear of being alone as well as the ideas of beauty. But balancing messaging with humour is not something Sumukhi does intentionally. 'If you simulate or plan that today I will talk about this, then it does not work. The audience will see through that,' says Sumukhi, who was born and raised in Nagpur. She moved to Chennai to do her graduation and later, worked at a children's library in Bengaluru. At a time when comedians often find themselves in trouble for speaking up against the authorities or system, Sumukhi believes in self-censorship. She says: 'The art of stand-up is connected to the performer's intuition, quick-wit and improv skills. These often land us in trouble. Second, the stand-up comedians are the voice of conflict. It is inevitable that our thoughts won't be widely accepted. I do self-censorship because I want to last for long and leave a legacy behind. That means I have to navigate the game accordingly.' Since there are a plethora of platforms available for comedians, artistes and digital content creators, Sumukhi believes that there is no room for complacency. 'You have to practise your art. You can't keep repeating something just because the audience liked that trick,' she says. Today, artists are also vulnerable to frequent online trolling notwithstanding the following they enjoy. 'You can't predict anyone's reaction. The only thing I can say is that if you are offended, then don't engage with it (content),' she says. Considering how naturally humour comes to Sumukhi Suresh, it is difficult to believe that being a stand-up comic wasn't a conscious career choice. She discovered her penchant for comedy when she accidentally walked into an improv event in Bengaluru, thinking it was an audition for a play. Even as she was working at a food lab, she began moonlighting as a comic on Bengaluru-based 'The Improv', a comedy show. Nearly two years later, she decided to solely focus on being a comic. She gained wider recognition when 'Pushpavalli', a web series created by her, started streaming on Amazon Prime Video in 2017 and its second season released in 2020. Sumukhi's popularity received a fresh boost following her appearance in 'The Royals'. 'I was a last-minute addition to the show. The makers gave me the freedom to do my thing,' she recalls. How does she react to fan comments that she is 'Pushpavalli' and she 'should not have played secretary' to Bhumi Pednekar's character? 'I feel validated that something ('Pushpavalli') I created, co-wrote and acted in left a mark. It's a community of women who expect me to do well. That's amazing,' she says. Though viewers want new seasons of 'Pushpavalli', Sumukhi says that writing for herself is not always a cakewalk. She wants to be cast in shows and movies written by others. With Vikramaditya Motwane's 'CTRL', for which she wrote the dialogues, Sumukhi made her debut as a writer. 'Though I am not trained in writing for films, working with a director-writer like Motwane became my training,' says Sumukhi, who is writing for another project directed by him. When asked how she manages to dabble in so many things, she says, 'This is the dream — to do all of this. Whatever little I learn from other projects, I try to incorporate in my stand-up performances.' She is also the founder of Motormouth Writers, which she aspires to turn into a hub of stories and facilitate development of shows. On the wishlist of this multi-talented artiste is the desire to create 'a massive multi-season comedy show and act in it too'. Sumukhi Suresh believes she has the ability to pull it off. 'I have been working hard for that moment. Pushpavalli was just the beginning,' she says. That apart, she wants to create a dance-comedy feature. 'I've written it already. At some point, I have to catch Farah Khan and ask her if she would direct it. She will take that script to the next level,' she says.

India Today

06-06-2025

Entertainment
India Today

Sumukhi Suresh's stand-up special

Sumukhi Suresh—stand-up comedian, actor, writer, and producer—is the kind of entertainer whose comic timing always has main character energy, whether she's crafting zingers for a film, stealing scenes on a Netflix show, or holding court on stage. In the last year alone, she's written dialogues for Vikramaditya Motwane's CTRL, lit up Netflix's The Royals as Keerthana, the charmingly chaotic assistant to Bhumi Pednekar's girlboss Sophia, and taken her stand-up special Hormonal on a wildly successful tour across India. And on June 7, she brings the curtain down on her tour, performing the last show at NMACC in Mumbai.