Sunflower

Introduction 

From the creative realms of Vikas Bahl and co-directed by Rahul Sengupta, comes an inventive web series titled 'Sunflower'. This ZEE5 original series, produced by Reliance Entertainment, is a vivid dive into black comedy thriving in the heart of a middle-class housing society in Mumbai.

Captivating audiences since its release on June 11th, 2021, the series stars the remarkably talented Sunil Grover, famed for his comedic prowess, in the lead role as Sonu. 'Sunflower' spans 8 intricately crafted episodes, each underlining a labyrinth of hilarity, mystery, and raw human emotions.

Supported by a stellar cast that includes a concoction of industry veterans and fresh faces, such as Ranvir Shorey, Girish Kulkarni, Mukul Chadda, Shonali Nagrani, Sonal Jha, and Ashish Vidyarthi, the series guarantees a display of acting brilliance.

Table of contents

• Details

• Plot 

• Release

• Episodes

• Reviews

• Casting

• Crew

• Behind the scenes

• Character Analysis 

• Spoilers

• Awards

• How to book a personalised Celebrity Message similar from Sunflower on Tring

Details

Plot

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Set in a middle-class housing society in Mumbai called Sunflower, the web series follows a gripping murder mystery that unravels within the society's walls. Alongside this thrilling whodunit, the show simultaneously weaves various sub-plots, touching on the lives of the society's residents and their cultural perspectives.

Sonu Singh, portrayed by Sunil Grover, finds himself in the midst of it all. Unbeknownst to him, his careless handling of the situation ends up drawing the attention of the police. Meanwhile, the real murderer, along with an accomplice, Mr. Ahuja, makes frantic efforts to dispose of evidence and cover their tracks.

As the story progresses, other members of Sunflower society juggle their own conflicting interests and complicated lives. Attempting to strike a balance between tradition and modernity, they often find themselves at crossroads with the new residents.

Release

The web show was released on the 11th of June 2021. It was loved and adored by the audience. The web show can be enjoyed on Zee5. The movie is a crime thriller comedy movie.

Episodes

Casting 

• Sunil Grover: Sunil Grover, known for his comedic talent, gained fame with his characters in 'Comedy Nights with Kapil' and 'The Kapil Sharma Show.' He has also showcased his acting prowess in several Bollywood films.

• Ranvir Shorey: An established Bollywood actor, Ranvir Shorey is notable for his roles in acclaimed movies like 'Khosla Ka Ghosla', 'Bheja Fry', and 'Titli'. He earned critical acclaim for his eclectic performances.

• Ashish Vidyarthi: A National Award-winning actor, Ashish Vidyarthi has appeared in a multitude of movies across multiple languages. Known for his strong character portrayals, he has left an indelible mark in Indian cinema.

• Mukul Chadda: Mukul Chadda gained recognition after his commendable performance in India's adaptation of 'The Office.' His versatility has allowed him to work in various genres and mediums, including films, web series, and theater.

• Shonali Nagrani: The former beauty queen, Shonali Nagrani has been a successful television presenter, primarily known for hosting the IPL. 'Sunflower' adds another feather to her cap as it marks her web series debut.

• Girish Kulkarni: Girish Kulkarni is a talented actor and notable playwright, especially revered in the Marathi film industry. His roles in films like 'Deool' and 'Ugly' have cemented his reputation as a remarkable actor.

• Sonal Jha: Sonal Jha has been a part of several acclaimed productions in both Bollywood and the Indian Television industry. Her performance as Imli Devi in 'Pratigya' remains one of her prominent roles.

Crew

• Director - Vikas Bhal and Rahul Sengupta

• Composers - Sahej Bakshi

• Cinematographer - Sudhakar Reddy

• Editor - Konarak Saxsena

• Production company - Reliance Entertainment

Character Analysis

• Sonu Singh (Sunil Grover) is a straightforward and blameless man who emerges as the main suspect in the murder of Raj Kapoor. He is a reclusive introvert who has a hard time defending himself. Sonu is portrayed as a likeable figure who is falsely accused and needs to establish his innocence throughout the entire series.

• Dilip Iyer (Ranvir Shorey) is the police officer in charge of the murder inquiry. Dilip is a hot-headed, arrogant individual. He is revealed to be dishonest and to have a history of accepting bribes. Dilip is committed to finding the truth, yet he is susceptible to peer pressure.

• Mrs. Ahuja (Ashish Vidyarthi): Mrs. Ahuja is the chairman of the society and is infamous for being nosy and interfering in other people's lives. She is sceptical of everyone and is constantly searching for fresh rumours. Mrs. Ahuja is portrayed as a woman who adds to the social unrest and drama.

• Ashwin Kaushal and Girish Kulkarni as Mr. and Mrs. Tanmay: The middle-aged Tanmays are having trouble keeping their marriage together. Mrs. Tanmay is shown as a tense and domineering woman who is unhappy with her life, while Mr. Tanmay is portrayed as a timid guy who is subjugated by his wife.

• Ms. Nair (Mukul Chadda) is a struggling actress who is anxious to break into the movie business. She is depicted as being flirty and using her charm to sway people. Ms. Nair is shown as a character who will stop at nothing to accomplish her objectives throughout the entire series.

Spoilers

• Sonu and Kapoor's Connection

In the final episode of 'Sunflower', the viewers are taken back to a wedding ceremony where Sonu unexpectedly gets photographed with Mr. Kapoor's family. The woman he is seen with, Juhi, turns out to be his ex-girlfriend, who was forced by her boss (none other than Raj Kapoor) to leave Sonu and marry another man, Ashish. This revelation leads the police to conclude that Sonu might have murdered Kapoor out of revenge.

• Police Investigation

Throughout the series, the police are hot on the trail of the murderer. They find evidence that implicates multiple people, including Sonu, Ahuja, and eventually, Ahuja's wife. The coconut used for the murder becomes a significant piece of evidence that Ahuja tries to dispose of but ultimately ends up in Sonu's possession and then his rubbish bin. This leads the police directly to his apartment.

• Sonu's Disappearance

Despite becoming the prime suspect, Sonu manages to evade the police every time they get close to arresting him. His absence from his apartment, hospital, and everywhere else leads to a frantic search. As the investigation unfolds, Sonu is kidnapped by the goons sent by Gurleen's husband and is driven to an unknown location marked by sunflower farms.

• Ahuja's Blackmail

Tired of the mistreatment and her growing guilt, Ahuja's wife threatens to expose her husband as the murderer. This leaves Ahuja shocked and scared, providing the story with another thrilling turn.

Behind the scenes

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The housing society Sunflower serves as the central stage for the series. The set design had to reimagine a world within the walls of the society, reflecting the lives of different residents from various cultural backgrounds. The series was primarily filmed in Mumbai, capturing the essence of the city through a blend of indoor and outdoor locations. Intelligent camera angles, visual storytelling, and well-crafted shots maintained suspense and intrigue throughout the episodes.

Reviews

Audience Review

Some viewers acknowledge the attempt made by the creators to bring together elements of black comedy and crime drama. However, others express dissatisfaction with how the story unfolds, criticizing the excessive number of inconclusive subplots that detract from the primary storyline. Unnecessary scenes, the perceived sluggish pace of the series, and abrupt ending also contributed to some disappointment among a portion of the viewers.

Some viewers found fault with the editing, arguing that the series could have been more concise and the number of episodes reduced. Contrastingly, some commend the series for its distinct take on the dark comedy genre, unusual narrative, and a unique blend of humor and suspense. The reviews indicate that the humor woven into the narrative is well-received by some, with viewers appreciating the "quirky" and "genuinely funny moments.

Tring Review

Sunflower boasts an ensemble cast that features several acclaimed actors, including Sunil Grover, Ranvir Shorey, Girish Kulkarni, Ashish Vidyarthi, and others. Each actor has managed to create intriguing and memorable characters in their respective storylines. Grover's portrayal of the simpleton Sonu steals the show with his engaging performance, while Shorey and Kulkarni master their roles as dedicated police inspectors.

Despite the stellar performances, the show's execution and direction leave something to be desired. The series clutches onto numerous subplots that tend to distract from the central narrative, resulting in a lack of focus. Additionally, the show's pacing often appears sluggish, which has led to some viewers skipping forward to get to the next high point.

The notable strong points of this series are its distinct take on a crime thriller and its attempt at balancing humor with suspense. These amalgamated elements create a unique blend of entertainment that captures the essence of a dark comedy. However, the occasional overindulgence in elaborate backstories and redundant characters often dilute the intended effect.

In conclusion, 'Sunflower' demonstrates its potential as a formidable contender in the realm of dark comedy and crime thrillers. Although it may not be everyone's cup of tea, the series has enough going for it to keep fans of the genre entertained. With a bit more focus on storytelling and pacing along with some refinements, 'Sunflower' can evolve into a more well-rounded and satisfying show in the future.

Tring Rating: 3.5/5

Awards

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