Enlarge Image
Sunny Leone explains why Bollywood’s indifferent attitude towards her doesn’t bother her anymore
Nayandeep Rakshit (DNA; April 11, 2015)

Sunny Leone might be an adult star who made her way into the Indian household, courtesy her Bigg Boss outing, but as a woman, she has always been dignified and self-assured. With a majority of Indians still shying away from talking about sex openly, Bollywood too has been no different. Three years and three films later, Sunny still feels a section of the country and the industry looks down upon her. “However harsh it may sound, if it wasn’t for the media or the fraternity, I probably would have packed my bags and gone home because these guys would have chewed me up and spat me out. But my fans are the ones that keep the Sunny Leone brand alive. They have been watching me grow for many years ever since I was 19 years old,” Sunny says.

Even with Ek Paheli Leela, the situation was no different. Reportedly, many actors turned down the role because they weren’t interested in playing the male lead in a Sunny Leone film. “That is one reason why people ask me who I would like to work with, I have a safe answer. I only want to work with people who want to work with me. Why would I want to work with somebody who feels uncomfortable with me or does not like what I have done in past or hates my choices in life? My choices have worked for me and I am happy. I would not have been sitting here if those choices had not worked for me. Definitely, some of the actors are scared of working with me. They are Disney and I am not (laughs). They are like Disneyland characters and I am in the ‘Rated R’ section. The fear or apprehension that they have because of my baggage or who I am, is the reason they don’t want to work with me. They will change someday and I can change only one person at atime.”

The actress also feels that such apprehensions have cost her roles opposite the bigger stars. “Of course, it is affecting my career, but what can I do if someone does not want to work with me? My next movie is with Ram (Kapoor), the other movie is with Vir (Das) and Tusshar (Kapoor) — all of them being respected actors in the industry. So it’s slowly moving into a different space, a different direction. I have to believe that. Whether it’s true or not, I will only find out with time,” Sunny signs off flashing a smile.