Reading between the lines with Suman

Shravan's moment of reckoning is almost upon us, but as we wait for that, I feel there is a lot worth noting about where Sumo is at mentally and emotionally at this point in the story.

As a basic character sketch, Suman has been presented to us as an intelligent, disciplined, focused girl - a star student and papa ki laadli. Her life seems to revolve around fierce love and loyalty for her family, her country, and a focus on making her family and her country proud.

When Shravan first enters her life as a disruptive force shaking up everything both in her school and at other places in her life, she understandably doesn't take to it kindly.

But the single most notable quality in Suman for me has been the fact that she is disciplined but not rigid. She initially may have come off as a teacher's pet, but as the story unfolded, it became apparent that she is not the cliched uptight bookish FL. She is studious and likes to stay focused on her goals, but that does not mean she has closed herself off completely to a different perspective.

It is through her interactions with Shravan that we as viewers discover new sides to her. She does not take kindly to lies or rule breaking or even change in any form we could say....but somehow with Shravan, that has never put her off completely. That has continued to intrigue me as the story unfolds😆

Just like Shravan has grumbled and grumbled about Sumo, but invariably ended up being drawn to her and caring for her more than he realizes, Suman despite all her grumbling over his behavior and his many lies, just can't seem to stop being intrigued by him😆. She is nearly always wondering what he's thinking, who is the real Shravan, wondering about the paradoxes that she sees in him. Is it her brain that wants to solve this contrary puzzle that is Shravan or is it her heart that has unwittingly started to warm towards the good hearted core she senses in Shravan?

So with this backdrop, at this current point in the story, where Shravan is falling hard for Sumo and is basically wearing his heart on his sleeve now, where does Sumo stand? How does she view Shravan?

From what I've gathered, Suman has taken to her friendship with Shravan with the enthusiasm of a fish taking to water😆. After her enthusiasm for joining the Army, this is the only thing that she seems to chatter about 24/7....and the change is not lost on Kanchan who provides her timely commentary on all these changes to Sumo😆. Suman is currently downplaying the attachment she's developed to Shravan both to others, as well as to herself.

It is no wonder then that Shravan wonders if he's misreading her and if he's really not special to her despite what he reads in her behavior with him😆. One has to read between the lines with Suman, I feel. A lot of what's in her heart and mind is apparent through the things she almost says and then holds back from....like the "tumhaare bina...." she said to Shravan today and then changed her line.

I also feel that it is worth noting that despite all her confidence as a star student and head girl of the school, she has never had a boyfriend. Shravan may have also mostly had childish relationships but has the experience of having some girlfriends in the past😆.....this is why their approaches to the changes they are feeling with each other are different too. Shravan is the one who is quicker to embrace this emotion he's feeling for Suman, to try to explore it, wallow in it......while Suman is the one who hides behind the comfortable label of friendship, and if confronted, tries to downplay and deny that it is anything more. I think her lack of experience makes her wary of approaching anything without full confidence....which is why when Shravan tried to mock her and say she's boring for not having had any boyfriends, she rushed to justify saying that she's had many crushes, but no one seemed to connect with her enough to make him her BF😆.

Suman isn't averse to love....she sees it in her parent's relationship, yearns for something similar. But she is also wary of following the usual pattern of her peers around her, including casual dating. Somehow, she has opened up to Shravan without realizing it....his friendship has truly made her joyful and there's a spark inside her that she doesn't fully recognize yet. It is still in it's early stages of flickering.....which is why even a slight breeze in the form of someone trying to put a romantic label on it seems to make her skittish.

And at such a juncture, to learn that Shravan was going around lying to everyone about how she was desperate for him.....ooh boy😆....poor Suman. Shravan still has a lot to learn about the girl he's fallen for, even as he discovers himself in the process.

Great post AY! Was looking into making a post on a similar topic myself but you've already penned down my exact thoughts so intricately!

I feel the beauty of most Sony shows is them keeping their characters layered yet perceivable. A person won't react to situations the same way every single time. How do I say? You should be able to predict their character yet not their mode of action, if that makes any sense, lol😆

Suman is finding comfort behind this veil of friendship with Shravan which she has never had before. Shravan does take extra efforts to reach out to her; whether it was to pick fights with her earlier or just to solve his problems later. He's always there. She likes being approached since most of her friends are already preoccupied in school or/and the rest see her as a leader.

She's happy to trust this not-so-perfect neighbour friend. And while doing so she never intended even once for him to change unwillingly👏

And like you said, she is strict, yes; has her rules too. But never shies away from being flexible when the time calls.

By far one of the most thought out characters!

i think shravan has mentioned that suman is different even before he accepted his feelings for her....like she is difficult to tackle, is weird that she waits for her father unlike him, etc...and with the recent slapping promo, he figured that to date her, he needs to be honest

like u mentioned, suman is laid-back and open...she broke the rules to meet her dad before he left for the jharkand operation with shravan, she's open to going to parties, etc...

interesting fact: kanchan herself said that suman calls herself sumo after hanging out with shravan for sometime...😆

Originally posted by: Bucky

Great post AY! Was looking into making a post on a similar topic myself but you've already penned down my exact thoughts so intricately!

I feel the beauty of most Sony shows is them keeping their characters layered yet perceivable. A person won't react to situations the same way every single time. How do I say? You should be able to predict their character yet not their mode of action, if that makes any sense, lol😆

Suman is finding comfort behind this veil of friendship with Shravan which she has never had before. Shravan does take extra efforts to reach out to her; whether it was to pick fights with her earlier or just to solve his problems later. He's always there. She likes being approached since most of her friends are already preoccupied in school or/and the rest see her as a leader.

She's happy to trust this not-so-perfect neighbour friend. And while doing so she never intended even once for him to change unwillingly👏

And like you said, she is strict, yes; has her rules too. But never shies away from being flexible when the time calls.

By far one of the most thought out characters!

Thanks, Bucky :)

Sony shows do atleast attempt to give their characters more layers, I'll agree there😆. But there are still many shows that miss the mark. Right now I feel only this show and MDKD on Sony have good writing. The rest are kind of all over the place.

Interesting points you've made about Suman. Do you think she's drawn to Shravan simply out the fact that he doggedly makes efforts to talk to her?😆.....I think it's something beyond that. They've formed a connect on an elemental level but the layer of friendship helps smoothen it over.

I do agree that Suman likes being a leader and doling out advice, but I don't think she's lacking for attention among her peers in school. There's plenty of people there to hold her in high regard. Her connection with Shravan is different I feel. The trust is coming from a more instinctual level that neither of them is fully understanding yet.

But you make an important point about how she has developed a bond with Shravan without forcing him to change. She may guide him, and he follows the advice only after discussing with her....there isn't a zabardasti in their relationship. She may find many things weird and contrary about him but she's genuinely taken to his friendship with a pure heart.

That is indeed a remarkable trait for an ITV FL....especially a supposedly bookish uptight one😆

I just think it's striking what pure hearted genuine characters they both are despite their own flaws. Even Suman could learn a few things from Shravan about loosening up in the long run😆.....but I like that they have otherwise shown her as a genuinely practical and focused girl without making it seem contrived or cliched.

I also love the equation between the sisters and the way she calls her "Kancha"😆....it's quite natural and sweet.

Originally posted by: Meena_J

i think shravan has mentioned that suman is different even before he accepted his feelings for her....like she is difficult to tackle, is weird that she waits for her father unlike him, etc...and with the recent slapping promo, he figured that to date her, he needs to be honest

like u mentioned, suman is laid-back and open...she broke the rules to meet her dad before he left for the jharkand operation with shravan, she's open to going to parties, etc...

interesting fact: kanchan herself said that suman calls herself sumo after hanging out with shravan for sometime...😆

LOL yes.....I found it interesting too that the moment Suman officially became his friend, she didn't even realize when she started adopting his Sumo nickname for her😆. It is these things she lets slip accidentally that actually show how much impact Shravan has on her and she gets defensive if someone points it out to her😆

In general, she is a girl with immense self-confidence in her views about life. Even today the way she explained to Shravan that showing sensitivity doesn't make you weak was nicely done without being preachy.

I love you analysis! Suman is honestly a very interesting character who has so much to explore. I really like how she is focused, confident, and dedicated unlike other ITV FL who's lives only center around their love-interest and his family lol

I feel like the show has shown depths of Shravan's emotions and his different shades. But they have shown Suman as one-dimensional. We as viewers, don't get to hear much of her thoughts. Therefore, she is just as a mystery to the viewers as she is to Shravan. But like you, said even Suman is experiencing new feelings yet hiding from it and not accepting the truth that she feels something for Shravan. For example, the precap: It's a big deal for a rule-following, disciplined Sumo to sneak out at night to explore the city with her neighbor who she recently hated due to his antics. But now, she seems to make these exceptions when it comes to Shravan ever since she started seeing him in a new light.

Originally posted by: AreYaar

Thanks, Bucky :)

Sony shows do atleast attempt to give their characters more layers, I'll agree there😆. But there are still many shows that miss the mark. Right now I feel only this show and MDKD on Sony have good writing. The rest are kind of all over the place.

Yes the reason for me saying most😆

Haven't watched MDKD. How's it?

Interesting points you've made about Suman. Do you think she's drawn to Shravan simply out the fact that he doggedly makes efforts to talk to her?😆.....I think it's something beyond that. They've formed a connect on an elemental level but the layer of friendship helps smoothen it over.

Not exactly for the chasing bit but someone just being there can turn into a mere habit mayhaps. Plus I am in the view of 'out of sight, out of mind'🤣

I do agree that Suman likes being a leader and doling out advice, but I don't think she's lacking for attention among her peers in school. There's plenty of people there to hold her in high regard. Her connection with Shravan is different I feel. The trust is coming from a more instinctual level that neither of them is fully understanding yet.

Agreed. Maybe I lacked in expanding it to the point I wanted it to. What I mostly wanted to say was Sumo seems like a pretty busy girl with all her activities and so do her peers. I could be wrong but the children in her school seem like the ones having kaam se kaam. (I unable to put it out any other way😆)

And what stuck out/ chha gaya to her subconsciously was him taking out time to meet her (was mentioning this just as a plus)

But I do agree that this trust is something else. It's like the trust a hopeful teacher has in their students, a parent in their children, an army personnel in their fellows; very instinctive, very innate.

But you make an important point about how she has developed a bond with Shravan without forcing him to change. She may guide him, and he follows the advice only after discussing with her....there isn't a zabardasti in their relationship. She may find many things weird and contrary about him but she's genuinely taken to his friendship with a pure heart.

That is indeed a remarkable trait for an ITV FL....especially a supposedly bookish uptight one😆

Oh yes! They have a history of ruining the whole nerd/padhaku image🤔 Let's see how they take this one ashore.

I just think it's striking what pure hearted genuine characters they both are despite their own flaws. Even Suman could learn a few things from Shravan about loosening up in the long run😆.....but I like that they have otherwise shown her as a genuinely practical and focused girl without making it seem contrived or cliched.

I also love the equation between the sisters and the way she calls her "Kancha"😆....it's quite natural and sweet.

Agreed to the fullest😊

Sorry for my sloppy thoughts / writing in these wee hours. I was about to sleep after a journal writeup when your post drew me in😆

Awesome post as usual. Talking in points today.

1) Sumo felt bad when Shravan had to take 4 rounds of the field yesterday.

2) She felt bad when Shravan's dad gave him a shout today.

3) She understood the meaning behind Kanchan's song.

4) She is paying compliments to Shravan and Kanchan realizes that Sumo is changing.

5) She wants Shravan to accompany her to the party which will make her comfy.

6) In the precap, she broke another rule and went on a bike ride with Shravan at nighttime.

Sumo's heart is changing fast and of course Shravan is another world when Sumo is with him. What surprised me today is Devika didn't go over the top today. May be she is saving it for the party.

Originally posted by: alina.b

I love you analysis! Suman is honestly a very interesting character who has so much to explore. I really like how she is focused, confident, and dedicated unlike other ITV FL who's lives only center around their love-interest and his family lol

I feel like the show has shown depths of Shravan's emotions and his different shades. But they have shown Suman as one-dimensional. We as viewers, don't get to hear much of her thoughts. Therefore, she is just as a mystery to the viewers as she is to Shravan. But like you, said even Suman is experiencing new feelings yet hiding from it and not accepting the truth that she feels something for Shravan. For example, the precap: It's a big deal for a rule-following, disciplined Sumo to sneak out at night to explore the city with her neighbor who she recently hated due to his antics. But now, she seems to make these exceptions when it comes to Shravan ever since she started seeing him in a new light.

Hey thanks! :)

While Shravan is the more lively character of the two, I don't really feel Suman has been shown as a one dimensional character either. There are many actual one-dimensional FLs on ITV....she isn't really one of them. She's a straightforward and focused girl, but I do think there are layers to her that are slowly unfolding as she bonds with Shravan.

If she was really one-dimensional, we wouldn't get scenes like the ones from the play rehearsals when she got emotional while doing the scene but tried to then detach and downplay it....or the way she tried to hide her painting from Shravan. She's an interesting balance of softhearted and emotional compartmentalization.

Shravan is her exception and she is his😆

Originally posted by: Bucky

Yes the reason for me saying most

Haven't watched MDKD. How's it?

MDKD is pretty good actually but much more gradually paced than the average show on ITV, so if you have patience, you will be rewarded for sticking with the show😆. It's a remarkably relatable show especially with the way it shows young working professionals and then the eventual bonding between the older characters too. A big plus is the way they use old hindi film songs to move the narrative along😆

Agreed. Maybe I lacked in expanding it to the point I wanted it to. What I mostly wanted to say was Sumo seems like a pretty busy girl with all her activities and so do her peers. I could be wrong but the children in her school seem like the ones having kaam se kaam. (I unable to put it out any other way)

And what stuck out/ chha gaya to her subconsciously was him taking out time to meet her (was mentioning this just as a plus)

But I do agree that this trust is something else. It's like the trust a hopeful teacher has in their students, a parent in their children, an army personnel in their fellows; very instinctive, very innate.

Ahh ok😆, I think I get what you mean....yes, the general culture of her school did seem like people were busy with their usual routine and activities and Shravan came and shook that all up.

But I feel the reason she got drawn to Shravan was mostly because she started noticing the genuine characteristics that he doesn't try to show off....like his loyalty for his friends like Saheb, the unexpected moments when she'd see a depth in his thoughts. Ofcourse everyone likes to have attention, but Sumo comes across as a girl who needs something genuine to connect to. The attention as you said was just a plus on top of everything....I take it more as destiny that their paths ended up crossing almost daily....but yes, Shravan's determined jugaaduness for everything is worth noting😆

Sorry for my sloppy thoughts / writing in these wee hours. I was about to sleep after a journal writeup when your post drew me in

Arey no, it's all good. I enjoyed reading your thoughts :) Thanks for dropping in!