Talktime | Sunny leone
She is always at the centre of controversy. But she is not one to shy away from who she is. PRAKRITI ROY catches up with leone just around the release of her film One Night Stand to know about the film, doing an item number with Shah Rukh Khan for Raees and other Bollywood projects
What exactly are you doing in One Night StandIJ
The story starts after a one-night stand. It’s about the relationship between the characters and their families and how things shape up and affect these families after the one-night stand. I play the role of a strong woman who makes some weak choices and then learns to deal with them.
What is your personal take on one-night standsIJ
If you are single, free and without any responsibility, why notIJ It’s your choice. However, if you’re in a relationship, you should definitely think many times before doing something like that. Because, then your spouse or your partner gets affected.
You’ve done an item number in Raees. How was the experience of working with Shah Rukh KhanIJ
It is like a dream come true for anyone, especially me, if SRK wants to be in the same song as me. I am so glad that he gave me an opportunity to share screen space with him. It’s the remake of an old songlaila O laila. We’ve shot the song and it was amazing. I hope it turns out how the makers envisioned it.
Have you had a fan moment with any Bollywood starsIJ
I have had too many of those. Recently, I met Amitabh Bachchanji and I just didn’t know what to say. I actually sat next to him in an awards show once and I couldn't even gather the guts to say ‘hi’. This time, even after being introduced, I was at a loss for words. I really look up to him and was overawed.
Are you finally getting good work in BollywoodIJ
I have always done the work that I want to and never forced myself to do anything. I have worked a lot and I have worked hard. And I am proud of all the projects I’ve done although some of them did not do well. That’s part of an organic process.
Which role have you enjoyed doing the mostIJ
Definitely Ek Paheli leela. It was one of my favourite looks ever. And the entire flavour of the film was like the Bollywood movies I grew up watching. There were so many colours and songs. It was exactly how I envisioned a Bollywood film. And I could be myself in that role.
Who designs your looks on screen and off itIJ
My stylist Hitesh Kapopara does all that. For films, he sits with the director and designs the entire look. I leave it to the experts and give inputs only when necessary. Off the screen, I always like to try on designers who create something new and interesting for me. Hitesh always brings me these new designers who may not be that famous but they are definitely talented and have some pretty quirky designs that I enjoy wearing.
How did you go about writing your book of short stories Sweet DreamsIJ
When publishers Juggernaut approached me with the idea of writing a collection of short stories in the romance/erotica genre, I thought to myself ‘how hard can it beIJ’. Turns out, it was way more challenging than what I had imagined. I had some great mentors who guided me. Till now, I have received only positive feedback for it.
How’s your Hindi coming alongIJ
I can carry a conversation in Hindi easily now. I can deliver my lines. Of course, I know I have an accent but neither I nor the audience seems to have a problem with it. While hosting Splitsvilla, I speak a lot of Hindi and I don’t find it that hard now. But I want to get better and I keep learning new words.
Is there any particular character you would love to playIJ
A superhero! I have always loved Marvel characters and films. In fact, I am in the middle of developing a superhero character. A team and I are already on it. After we develop it, let’s see how the audience responds. Then, maybe, we can turn it into a movie.
One of your recent controversial interviews created ripples. When you started in Bollywood, did you think that you would have to deal with these things and defend yourselfIJ
This isn’t something you can think about beforehand. By nature, I am a fighter and I don’t run away from any problem. I give it back to them. But I give each interviewer the benefit of doubt and deal with things as they come. I have realised that people say these bad and downright mean things because they are unhappy in their own lives. I don’t give them the space to hurt me.