Hoemonal review: Comedian, writer and actor Sumukhi Suresh brings humour and emotional honesty to Hoemonal, her new Netflix stand-up special about dating, breakups and the challenges of navigating modern relationships after growing up in a conservative environment.
Described by Suresh as a comfort watch with the feel of a romantic comedy, the over-one-hour-long special draws from her own experiences following the end of a long-term relationship. Suddenly having to navigate dating, she found herself confronting unfamiliar situations, dating apps and expectations that had shaped her understanding of relationships.
The result is a personal account of a woman attempting to balance her upbringing, independence and hormones while figuring out what she wants from life.
Breakups, Dating Apps and the Pressure of Tradition
In Hoemonal, Suresh talks about heartbreak, her struggles with dating apps, female friendships and growing up with traditional expectations around relationships. Her description of herself as a conservatively raised woman trying to navigate dating gives the special its central comedic premise.
The show also explores the changing experiences of women in their twenties and thirties. Suresh reflects on how earlier expectations often followed a predictable path of education, employment and finding a partner. For many women, however, building an independent life has become a more complicated and personal journey.
She believes that many women are experiencing the freedom and self-discovery traditionally associated with their twenties much later in life. That perspective gives the special a relatable foundation beyond dating mishaps.
Sumukhi Suresh’s Performance-First Approach
Suresh says she enjoys the energy of live performances and developed Hoemonal by repeatedly performing on stage rather than relying on a script packed with predetermined punchlines.
The show evolved over time, with producer Kim Sharma helping turn it into a larger live-performance property. According to Suresh, the production grew from a 1,000-seat venue to a Bengaluru performance that sold 5,000 tickets.
She describes the special as an emotional roller coaster featuring laughter, romance, happiness, sadness and tears. Rather than treating each joke as a separate moment, she wanted the audience to feel as though a close friend or sister were sharing a personal meltdown.
From Pushpavalli to Netflix
Suresh previously wrote and starred in the comedy-drama series Pushpavalli, which premiered in 2017 and ran for two seasons. The show followed a woman who mistakes a man's kindness for romantic interest and begins stalking him.
She entered entertainment after working in a food safety laboratory and faced resistance when seeking lead acting roles. Writing her own show became a way to create opportunities for herself.
Her subsequent projects include CTRL, The Royals and Happy Patel: Khatarnak Jasoos. She is also working on Ragini MMS 3, produced by Ekta Kapoor.
With Hoemonal, Suresh turns personal experiences into a candid exploration of dating, identity and growing into adulthood on one's own terms.
Watch Hoemonal on Netflix.
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