Sunny leone will host the seventh edition of MTV's Splitsvilla. She chatted with Darpan Mago on returning to TV and what keeps her going despite constant criticism
After her successful stint in Bollywood with hit movies like Jism 2 and Ragini MMS 2, bombshell Sunny leone is back to the starting point. Before you jump to conclusions, let’s tell you that she is switching back to small screen and is ready to host MTV’s Splitsvilla season 7. Clad in bright red gown with white heart-shaped wings wrapped on both sides, leone justified her ‘baby doll’ image at the conference in the Capital. The theme of the seventh season is the fairytale romance. Sunny’s white wings presented her as the fairy of the show. The show will have 20 girls trying to woo and vie the attention of seven models/actors. The female contestants include former Miss Goa and lingerie model Scarlet Rose. “It feels amazing and I am so happy! When MTV came to me I instantly agreed to do the show. I have watched the channel growing up…I always wanted to host their show and now I have got my chance,” she said.
Despite a lot of criticism, the actress is making sincere attempts to foot herself strong in Bollywood. With family around to motivate her, Sunny has had her share of ups and down in the industry. “My husband, family and brother have been supportive. They don’t ever judge me. I was never made to feel bad for who I am and have always backed by them in both good and bad times,” said Sunny.
While for most newcomers, the entertainment industry is not a bed of roses, leone felt whenever she took a step back, something surprising helped regain her confidence. “I have been lucky enough to face good things than bad. With everything new coming my way, the journey has been full of learning experiences,” she said. Earlier, leone was seen as a contestant in a popular reality show, Bigg Boss. “I feel fortunate that people are interested in working with me. It would be amusing to experience the other side as a host. Being a contestant has its own share of emotions involved. It is sometimes really sad to see a fellow contestant go out. Once while shooting for Splitsvilla, even I became teary eyed,” she said.
Though born and brought up in Canada, leone wishes for many desi things. “Ever since I’ve forayed into entertainment industry, I didn’t get chance to explore Delhi. But before that, I used to come here to meet my relatives. I used to get mehndi done on my hands by women sitting on the sidewalks. Now I don’t get time for these small pleasures of life,” she said.
Back to the ring
At the early stages of his career, someone had told VJ Nikhil that he would not survive the competition for more than six years. Today, the VJ boasts his 17-year long relationship with MTV. His show MTV Select which aired in 90s was the longest running program on the channel, which continued for 11 years. “I have seen the evolution of the channel. It has been a magical journey so far. Sometimes I feel that my memories with the channel are an anthology of what MTV India has been all about,” said Chinapa.
He will be leone’s co-host of this season of Splitsvilla. “There are tons of exciting elements in the reality show. We’re not making it bigger, we have made it better. The DNA of MTV is to constantly evolve, mutate and change. There is a significant change that has taken place this year in the show. The participants have brought tremendous energy and enthusiasm. Shifting the format, there is no room for predictability in the show. There is continual uncertainty of what will happen next”, said Nikhil.
He loves learning more and more about the songs he plays. “As a DJ, I have never played songs I don’t believe in even if they are hit. I feel more charged up when I have more information about the song. I passionately enjoy sharing this information with the audience”, says Nikhil. Speaking about the electronic dance music in India, he said that the industry lacks a proper structure. He said, “It is not as organised as the other sectors. I would love to see that in music and live entertainment industry. Protocols, standards and set of rules must come into play in this arena. It needs regulating bodies who take their work in music industry very seriously.”