Comedian Sumukhi Suresh on bid to stay relevant: Pulling my hair every day
Comedian Sumukhi Suresh opened up about representing India at the Netflix Is A Joke Festival in Los Angeles and the emotional moment she learned about the opportunity. She also spoke about Hormonal, Pushpavalli, The Royals 2 and staying relevant.
In a big moment, Sumukhi Suresh became the only Indian comedian to represent India at the Netflix Is A Joke Festival, which was staged in Los Angeles last month. In an exclusive chat with India Today, the comedian spoke about performing in the comedy hub, chasing international validation, and why she pulls her hair daily while trying to keep audiences entertained.
Having witnessed the evolution of Indian stand-up audiences over the years, Sumukhi said that comics can never become complacent and feel like they know their audience. “In stand-up, you can never assume that people are now finally only going to listen to you. Every day is a new day. I wish to be exciting and relatable in a new way constantly. It’s not easy, I am pulling my hair daily, basically,” she said.
Sumukhi shared that she met the Netflix team with Kim Sharma (Dharma Collab Artists Agency), and while they kept a straight face through the meeting, they erupted in joy once they were alone. "I remember, both of us went straight into the washroom and hugged, jumped and cried, and then walked out as if nothing had happened. It was a classic sitcom moment for us," she chuckled.
While several Indian comics have toured the US over the years, Sumukhi shared that she wanted her special Hormonal to become the show she had envisioned before taking it to newer markets.
Talking about why it took so long, the comedian said, “Honestly, there was no real reason. But can I tell you, I think Hormonal as a tour or Hormonal as a show, I don’t think I have fully sort of... because personally I wanted Hormonal to have big audiences, like a thousand seaters.”
The comedian added that the US is not an easy market and called the showcase "a very good beginning". And when asked whether performing in the US felt intimidating given its reputation as a comedy hub, Sumukhi said she remained focused on her own set.
She said, “The fact that it was a Tuesday show in LA, late at night, and still, it was a full house. So I was really just focusing on the fact that this is my show, I am here. The aim is to keep building a community for yourself that will bank on you, and that will watch you constantly. So I think it really checked all of that. And it was a superb audience.”
Comparing audiences in India and the US, Sumukhi said American crowds were extremely warm, welcoming and excited. She added that, unlike popular belief, even non-Indian audience members were receptive to her material.
“They were so open to listening to different experiences. So I am very glad. LA, honestly, is a bit like Bombay because it’s the hub of entertainment and the hub of Hollywood, right? So the vibe is that wherever you go, you will find someone who’s creating something exciting, who’s writing something exciting or who wants to make something. So when you go there, you suddenly look at yourself from a new perspective.”
Other fictional projects of Sumukhi
Apart from her special, we also got her to discuss her fiction work. And while fans have been hoping for another season of Pushpavalli, they may be disappointed, as the comedian has no plans. "No, man. I think Pushpavalli is done. I had fun with it, and I was very happy with it. But she is not coming," she said, adding that, however, she wants to be the comic who is able to make multi-season comedy shows on Indian OTT platforms. "We should make our own Schitt's Creek or Office."
She also shared updates on her screenwriting projects: a story for Preeti Sahani and collaborating with Vikramaditya Motwane for Lust Stories: “Apart from this, I am also building a new stand-up special, Dead Poets, and writing a show which has a different kind of live template.”
And what’s happening with The Royals 2? “Royals 2 is definitely [happening]. It’s in a very, very exciting space. How I am part of it is something you’ll find out. But it’s exciting.”
Sumukhi was also seen in Chhoriyan Chali Gaon in 2025.
Sumukhi on family reaction
On a final note, we asked her about what her mother thinks of her career, and the jokes she often cracks at her expense. Sumukhi Suresh replied that her mother still doesn't watch a lot of her content, or doesn't understand half of the things she says. According to the comedian, her mother’s biggest complaint, though, remains unchanged.
“My mother’s constant thing is, you talk too fast. I don’t understand what you are saying. Even the videos of my mother that I am putting, she has no idea what I am saying. In our family, my father is the witty one, my mom is the dramatic one. So I am a mixture of both of them," Sumukhi signed off with a laugh.
In a big moment, Sumukhi Suresh became the only Indian comedian to represent India at the Netflix Is A Joke Festival, which was staged in Los Angeles last month. In an exclusive chat with India Today, the comedian spoke about performing in the comedy hub, chasing international validation, and why she pulls her hair daily while trying to keep audiences entertained.
Having witnessed the evolution of Indian stand-up audiences over the years, Sumukhi said that comics can never become complacent and feel like they know their audience. “In stand-up, you can never assume that people are now finally only going to listen to you. Every day is a new day. I wish to be exciting and relatable in a new way constantly. It’s not easy, I am pulling my hair daily, basically,” she said.
Sumukhi shared that she met the Netflix team with Kim Sharma (Dharma Collab Artists Agency), and while they kept a straight face through the meeting, they erupted in joy once they were alone. "I remember, both of us went straight into the washroom and hugged, jumped and cried, and then walked out as if nothing had happened. It was a classic sitcom moment for us," she chuckled.
While several Indian comics have toured the US over the years, Sumukhi shared that she wanted her special Hormonal to become the show she had envisioned before taking it to newer markets.
Talking about why it took so long, the comedian said, “Honestly, there was no real reason. But can I tell you, I think Hormonal as a tour or Hormonal as a show, I don’t think I have fully sort of... because personally I wanted Hormonal to have big audiences, like a thousand seaters.”
The comedian added that the US is not an easy market and called the showcase "a very good beginning". And when asked whether performing in the US felt intimidating given its reputation as a comedy hub, Sumukhi said she remained focused on her own set.
She said, “The fact that it was a Tuesday show in LA, late at night, and still, it was a full house. So I was really just focusing on the fact that this is my show, I am here. The aim is to keep building a community for yourself that will bank on you, and that will watch you constantly. So I think it really checked all of that. And it was a superb audience.”
Comparing audiences in India and the US, Sumukhi said American crowds were extremely warm, welcoming and excited. She added that, unlike popular belief, even non-Indian audience members were receptive to her material.
“They were so open to listening to different experiences. So I am very glad. LA, honestly, is a bit like Bombay because it’s the hub of entertainment and the hub of Hollywood, right? So the vibe is that wherever you go, you will find someone who’s creating something exciting, who’s writing something exciting or who wants to make something. So when you go there, you suddenly look at yourself from a new perspective.”
Other fictional projects of Sumukhi
Apart from her special, we also got her to discuss her fiction work. And while fans have been hoping for another season of Pushpavalli, they may be disappointed, as the comedian has no plans. "No, man. I think Pushpavalli is done. I had fun with it, and I was very happy with it. But she is not coming," she said, adding that, however, she wants to be the comic who is able to make multi-season comedy shows on Indian OTT platforms. "We should make our own Schitt's Creek or Office."
She also shared updates on her screenwriting projects: a story for Preeti Sahani and collaborating with Vikramaditya Motwane for Lust Stories: “Apart from this, I am also building a new stand-up special, Dead Poets, and writing a show which has a different kind of live template.”
And what’s happening with The Royals 2? “Royals 2 is definitely [happening]. It’s in a very, very exciting space. How I am part of it is something you’ll find out. But it’s exciting.”
Sumukhi was also seen in Chhoriyan Chali Gaon in 2025.
Sumukhi on family reaction
On a final note, we asked her about what her mother thinks of her career, and the jokes she often cracks at her expense. Sumukhi Suresh replied that her mother still doesn't watch a lot of her content, or doesn't understand half of the things she says. According to the comedian, her mother’s biggest complaint, though, remains unchanged.
“My mother’s constant thing is, you talk too fast. I don’t understand what you are saying. Even the videos of my mother that I am putting, she has no idea what I am saying. In our family, my father is the witty one, my mom is the dramatic one. So I am a mixture of both of them," Sumukhi signed off with a laugh.
