Sunflower (web series)

Sunflower is a black comedy ZEE5 original web series directed by Vikas Bahl and Rahul Sengupta. It is produced by Reliance Entertainment, starring actor-comedian Sunil Grover in the lead role as Sonu. The cast includes actors like Ranvir Shorey, Girish Kulkarni, Mukul Chadda, Shonali Nagrani, Sonal Jha and Ashish Vidyarthi.

The first season consisted of 8 episodes, it started streaming on Zee5 on June 11, 2021, and received generally positive reviews from critics and audience for its direction, writing and acting.

Following the success of the season, ZEE5, in May 2023, revealed that the series would be back for the second season. Actress Adah Sharma joined the cast for the season. The second season premiered on March 1, 2024.

Plot
The story revolves around a murder mystery based in a middle-class housing society in Mumbai called "Sunflower".

Cast

 * Sunil Grover as Sonu Singh
 * Adah Sharma as Rosie Mehta
 * Ranvir Shorey as Inspector S. Digendra
 * Girish Kulkarni as Sub Inspector Chetan Tambe
 * Mukul Chadda as Mr. Ahuja
 * Radha Bhatt as Mrs. Ahuja
 * Ashish Vidyarthi as Dilip Iyer
 * Ashwin Kaushal as Mr Raj Kapoor
 * Ria Nalavade as Paddy Iyer
 * Shonali Nagrani as Naina Kapoor
 * Sonal Jha as Mrs Iyer
 * Nirvair Bhan as Monty
 * Sameer Khakhar as abusive heart-patient
 * Sal Yusuf as Chairman of Sonu Singh's Company
 * Salonie Patel as Aanchal
 * Annapurna Soni as Maid Kamini
 * Dayana Erappa as Justina
 * Pallavi Das as Juhi
 * Ajay–Atul as judges of singing competition (guest appearance)
 * Simran Nerurkar as Gurleen
 * Aarav Chowdhary as Ramesh Kapoor
 * Jaimin Panchal
 * Shayank shukla as Aditya khanna

Release
The first seasons of this ZEE5 original web series premiered on June 11, 2021. The second season premiered on March 1, 2024.

Season 1
Archika Khurana from TOI says that Sunflower Season 1 is an engrossing thriller laced with dark humor. TOI rates the web series at 3 out of 5. The web series could have been a bigger success if it did not have a laid-back execution. Sunil Grover gets full marks as he plays the role of Sonu Singh to perfection.

From Vakaao, Aashna Varshney says that the web series is a great watch as Sunil Grover and the major plotline both impresses you as the season progresses. Many different subplots make the web series a little disturbing as the focus seems to be losing from the main murder mystery plot. However, the main storyline and Sonu Singh's performance is worth the watch and a recommended entertainer.

Divy Tripathi from Film Companion says that this web series is a beautiful experience with spot-on direction and acting. Ranveer Shorey plays the character of a no-nonsense cop with perfection and teamed with Girish Kulkarni, the duo looks perfect as investigating officers.

Season 2
The season drew mix response from critics. The Times of India rated it 3 out of 5 and called it as "Overall, ‘Sunflower 2’ offers a compelling continuation" News 18 too rated it 3 out of 5 while praising the work of Sunil Grover and Adah Sharma.

Firstpost was less welcoming of the show, commenting, "Sunflower tries to pack in way too many things into one season, mainly to create a complete package."