Showing posts with label Daniel Weber. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Daniel Weber. Show all posts
Why differentiate between a girl child or a boy child? What’s the difference?-Sunny Leone
9:59 AM
Vishakha Pandit (HINDUSTAN TIMES; October 11, 2026)
On the International Day of the Girl Child, actor Sunny Leone hopes for a society where girls are valued as much as boys, women are free to pursue their ambitions, and children grow up learning to respect one another. For Leone, who adopted daughter Nisha with husband Daniel Weber in 2017, gender preference is difficult to understand.
“I really hope people stop comparing a girl child with a boy child, because there is no difference. At the end of the day, a child is a child. Having grown up outside India, this concept of giving preference to a boy over a girl is something that does not sit well with me,” she tells us.
The actor recalls feeling an immediate connection with Nisha when she and Daniel received her photograph during the adoption process.
“We instantly felt a connection with Nisha. We knew almost immediately that she was the child we wanted to bring home as part of our family. There was an instant bond, and we both felt that she was meant to be a part of our family,” she recalls. The couple were clear that they would never hide Nisha’s adoption from her. They also created a ‘Gotcha Day’ tradition to celebrate the day she joined their family.
“We were always very clear that we would never hide the fact that Nisha was adopted. That’s where we came up with ‘Gotcha Day’. Ever since we got Nisha home, we have documented each day with her in an album,” says Sunny. “We don’t celebrate her birthday, we celebrate her Gotcha Day. We make it a point every day to show her how deeply she is loved and how much she means to us.”
As Nisha has grown older, their conversations about adoption have become more complex. “Until recently, Nisha had asked only the usual questions. But last year, she began asking some really hard-hitting questions as she grew older and started understanding things differently. We want her to feel comfortable coming to us with anything she wants to ask,” says the 45-year-old.
Creating that sense of trust is important to Leone. “I have told Nisha that whatever the situation may be, whether it is something good or bad, big or small, she should always come to me. I want her to know that I will listen to her and be there for her. She should never feel that she cannot talk to me about something,” she says.
The family also has practical measures in place to ensure the safety of their three children. Leone says she and Daniel have established safe words and gestures that the children can use if they need help or feel uncomfortable.
“We have safe words and gestures between the five of us. There are little signals that the children can use if something is wrong or they need to convey something to us without saying it openly,” she says.
Adding that while the children have their own Instagram accounts, their online activity is restricted and monitored. “They are not allowed to post anything. They can search and look at things, but that is about it. There are clear boundaries they have to follow, and we make sure their online activity is monitored. We want them to have some independence, but we also want to ensure they are safe online,” she explains.
Asked how protective her sons, Noah and Asher, are of their sister, Leone says Nisha shares a close bond with both. However, she believes raising boys to stand up for girls must go hand in hand with teaching them to respect women and their choices.
“We have made it clear at home that if anyone bothers her or treats her inappropriately, her brothers should stand up for her. Their first instinct is to protect their sister, and it is important to us that they grow up understanding that looking out for her also means respecting her and standing by her,” she says.
For Leone, the change begins at home, with parents teaching children to respect women and supporting girls in making their own choices.
“I think it is extremely important that women should stand up for themselves and be who they want to be. It starts with what you learn at home and with education. How your parents teach you to treat women… if that starts, then we can start seeing the change in our youngsters,” she says.
“Women have a voice of their own, they should be allowed to take charge and make decisions. Why differentiate between a girl child or a boy child? What’s the difference? From where I come, we don’t see any difference. As a society, we need to stop doing it. That’s a change I wish to see in the coming years,” she ends.
I still look at Tejasswi Prakash and I’m like, yeh kya ladki hai-Karan Kundrra
10:31 AM
Onkar Kulkarni (BOMBAY TIMES; February 14, 2026)
Karan Kundrra has often spoken candidly about love and on Valentine's Day as he talks about his relationship with Tejasswi Prakash, there’s an unmistakable sense of certainty and comfort. Looking back at how their bond began, Karan shared that neither of them had anticipated where their journey would lead. “When we met each other, we didn’t know that we would be together, that we would date and fall in love,” he said, adding that despite the years gone by, the feelings remain unchanged.
Karan and Tejasswi met on Bigg Boss 15, where their friendship slowly turned into love amid the pressures of the reality show. Reflecting on what makes their relationship work, Karan said, “I still look at her and I’m like, yeh kya ladki hai. She is still the same girl that I met. Every day something happens and I am reminded why I fell in love with her. We fell in love for the right reasons. We still have the same amount of fun, and we still like doing similar things together.”
Having spent four years together, including sharing the intense experience of reality television, Karan believes that understanding each other’s emotional rhythms has been key. “She understands my mood. I know kab yeh phatne wali hai. I know when she is comfortable and when she is not,” he said. “When you’ve done a reality show together, you’ve seen the extreme sides of each other.”
Interestingly, Karan also finds inspiration in long-term relationships around him. Like his Splitsvilla X6: Pyaar Ya Paisa co-host Sunny Leone, and her husband Daniel Weber. He shares, “When I see Daniel and Sunny together, it makes me feel that I want to be somebody like that for my girlfriend.”
Watching them as parents has had a deep impact on him. “Ab meri woh stage ho gayi hai jahan main dekh raha hoon how they are with their kids. You keep getting inspired,” he added.
I didn’t want to go out on a date with Daniel Weber as he was friends with someone I didn’t like-Sunny Leone
9:36 AM
The actress talks about the bond she shares with her husband Daniel Weber
Onkar Kulkarni (MUMBAI MIRROR; February 1, 2026)
Onkar Kulkarni (MUMBAI MIRROR; February 1, 2026)
Ahead of Valentine's Day, Sunny Leone took a moment to look back at her own journey with husband Daniel Weber. Married for over 14 years, the actor reflected on how their relationship has grown and matured over time, from a dramatic, Bollywood-style first date to a quieter, more meaningful companionship today, proving that while the definition of love may change, its essence remains timeless.
Recalling their first date, Sunny said, “It was just like a Bollywood film. I was with my friends and I didn’t want to go out on a date with Daniel because he was friends with someone I didn’t like. So then I was like, chalo chhodo.” She added that even when she finally agreed to meet him in New York, she wasn’t fully convinced. “I was like, I’ll wait for five minutes and then I’ll be late, on purpose, so he doesn’t like me, because he is friends with that guy I don’t like.”
What followed, however, completely changed her mind. “We went to dinner, we sat down, and after about one or two minutes, the entire restaurant disappeared,” Sunny recalled. “We sat there for three hours just talking. Like a Bollywood film, he met me later, pulled me into the elevator, gave me a sweet kiss, and then we laughed.”
Talking about how romance looks today, Sunny said things have naturally evolved. “Now he’s not pulling me into the elevator! Daniel remains just as romantic. He sent me flowers the other day. He was in Texas, and he always does very sweet things.”
On the professional front, Sunny has also weighed in on the ongoing industry debate around regulated eight-hour workdays, sparked by Deepika Padukone’s comments on burnout and work-life balance. Reacting with humour, Sunny quipped, “Oh my God, I need to write that in the contract — eight hours only. But that’s not how reality shows work.”
Having shot extensively for Splitsvilla X6: Pyaar Ya Paisa, Sunny explained that long hours are an unavoidable part of the format. “I have never been on a set where you work for only eight hours. Aisa mere saath kabhi hua hi nahi. It’s always a minimum of 12 hours, from start to finish,” she said, calling reality television a completely different ballgame.
She also highlighted the often unseen effort of the crew. “We work hard, but those guys are unbelievable. They are not sleeping, just working around the clock,” Sunny shared, stressing that while advocating for healthier work hours is important, the realities of large-scale productions must also be acknowledged.
Sunny Leone gets Vikramaditya Motwane to direct an upcoming biopic
9:40 AM
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; September 19, 2025)
In 2023, Sunny Leone added an Anurag Kashyap film to her résumé with Kennedy. Now, she is teaming up with Kashyap’s frequent collaborator and another heavyweight, Vikramaditya Motwane. Earlier this month, Leone and her husband Daniel Weber announced that they are co-producing a biopic with Motwane’s Andolan Films. While the biopic’s subject has been kept under wraps, Leone’s production house Suncity is said to have acquired the rights to the real-life story.
Talking to mid-day about the in-the-works web series, Leone says that the story left her “inspired”. “This story felt unique to me, and it had the scope to be adapted into a web series. From a producer’s standpoint, I felt it would be gripping for the audience to watch the depth and scale of this story,” she says.
Confident that she wanted to bring this real-life story to the screen, Leone next wanted to rope in a storyteller who could further elevate the material. Enter Motwane. “We met several times over the past year to discuss different ideas. When we discovered this biopic, we felt Vikram would connect with it as well. We were all captivated when we heard it. The story is so dynamic and gripping that you’ll be surprised it’s true.”
With Motwane at the helm, will she headline the series? “We can’t say that yet. Right now, production is the focus. We have several great stories in our mind,” says Leone, as Weber adds that they want to develop it as an international web series. He shares, “We are at the beginning. The only challenges so far have been agreements. There will be much more starting now. We’re looking at this as a global project.”
Donald Trump's biggest issue is his mouth. He is his own worst enemy-Sunny Leone
3:03 PM
As Donald Trump wins the Presidential elections, US citizens Sunny Leone and Daniel Weber say he can shape a better second term ‘if he chooses his words wisely’; attribute his victory to people-centric policies
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; November 7, 2024)
I’m so surprised,” was Sunny Leone’s opening remark, as we got on a call with her an hour after Donald Trump was elected as the 47th President of the United States of America. Trump, who served as the US President from 2017 to 2021, had something of a landslide victory this time, way ahead of Democratic Party’s presidential candidate Kamala Harris.
What will Trump’s second term be like? When we posed the question to Leone, arguably India’s most famous US citizen, she chose to be optimistic. “I think he’ll be a little less aggressive in how he speaks. He will still be funny and witty, but I think he cares about America doing well in every aspect,” she said.
Daniel Weber, Leone’s entrepreneur-husband, stated that Trump’s master-stroke was that he promised policies that were people- and America-centric. “He is selling lower taxes, especially corporate taxes. Immigration was his number one [priority]; he wants [tighter] immigration policy. Lowering crime is a big [agenda], [as is] ending foreign wars. In the last two years, we have seen big conflicts between Ukraine and Russia, and Israel with Hezbollah and Hamas. During his first term, there were no wars. That’s a big thing he was running on—that he will hopefully put an end to the wars,” said Weber.
Chiming in, Leone recounted that during his last term, Trump brought US troops stationed in Afghanistan back home. “I remember how happy people were, that they were finally not having to be on the frontlines or in dangerous areas. The [soldiers’] families were extremely happy. Even though American soldiers aren’t on the battlefields, we have the Navy and US soldiers in supporting roles in so many places all over the world. They should be brought home, and the conflicts should be ended with some resolution. That was a big agenda of Trump.”
But Trump 2.0 comes with some older problems. Leone pointed out, “I think his biggest issue is his mouth. He is his own worst enemy. Sometimes, you just don’t know what he is going to say. I think if he keeps himself calm, chooses his words wisely and [follows] decorum, he will be able to leave with a different legacy after four years.”
She is also hopeful that the President-elect will focus on women’s healthcare during his term. With his victory, the future of abortion rights in the US faces uncertainty. She said, “He will have to deal with a lot of backlash amongst women and young people when it comes to his policies on women’s healthcare, pregnancy and abortion. He will have to reach out [to his detractors] in some manner so that everyone or the majority is happy with his policies. When he left [after his last term], there was so much hatred towards him. But he has obviously gained a lot of support over the last four years. I think if he is open-minded to certain policies, he will gain so much more love.”
Many feel that this has been one of the most polarizing US elections in a long time. Polarising or not, Leone lauded Harris for holding her ground and giving Trump a tough fight.
“She had a tough road ahead of her. She put in the work, trying her very best. She was fighting a gigantic wall that has been put on for years. I think she fought well, but her campaign lacked some sort of a zing. Trump has been campaigning for eight years, if you really think about it, and she, for 110 days. How can you compete with that? That time frame not enough to create a strong voter base,” the actor emphasized.
A prominent conversation on X, after the elections, was that the average American doesn’t want a female president. Does Weber think it’s true? “It hasn’t happened in America, but it has happened in many other places. It happened in Italy,” said Weber, adding, “I don’t even vote for a party, let alone gender. I have voted Democrat before, and I have voted Republican. For me, it’s about the candidate.”
Leone echoed his sentiments, saying, “America is definitely ready for a female president. It’s about the right person, the right time; plus, the people that are backing her up have to make it about America, not about themselves. The Republicans have two or three women that will be phenomenal candidates. You’ll see them in the years to come.”
What is the most pressing issue for an average American today that the new President needs to address? According to Weber, it boils down to one need. “Does it cost me more to put food on my table and pay my bills? That is every citizen’s pressing issue. Borders, wars, trade or anything [are secondary]; the first thing is, at the end of the day, is it too expensive for me to feed my family, send my kids to school, and make my day-to-day living?”
Leone added, “Over the last four years, there were so much [funds] given to illegal immigrants. That was taxpayers’ money. I think that hurt a lot of people. So, I believe every country should have great immigration policies, where anybody and everybody can apply to go to that country. We both come from immigrant families. If it wasn’t for those policies, I wouldn’t be an American citizen. But everything should be done at fair pay. I pay taxes like every other American does. Personally, I don’t think don’t think it’s fair that [illegal immigration] is taking away from other US citizens; the government is responsible for its citizens. There should be aid given to anybody who needs it, but there must be a system.”
I have always given people the don’t-mess-with-me vibe, says Sunny Leone
8:35 AM
Onkar Kulkarni (BOMBAY TIMES; September 21, 2024)
Sunny Leone began her career in the Indian film industry with Jism 2 (2012), and later was seen in a number of songs in Hindi as well as South films. In the wake of the #MeToo Movement in the Malayalam film industry, following the Hema Committee Report, the actress shares her thoughts on how she believes women in the film industry need to speak up instead of suffering in silence and how she dealt with unpleasant situations.
‘We can always find another job, but we can’t deal with trauma like this’
Sunny feels it is important to raise an alarm and be a part of movements like #MeToo. She says, “You must speak up because if you don’t, then it will keep going on and on. And what if somebody does something extremely horrible to someone because you didn’t speak up? What if a life could have been saved? In a moment, a woman’s life can change. And it changes forever. And it’s not just her own, but her entire family’s life at stake. So, if you are going through a moment like this, speak up. We can always find another job, but we can’t deal with trauma like this.”
'My husband has been like a little angel on my shoulder so far in my career'
Ask Sunny whether she has faced any unpleasant situations, especially at the beginning of her career in India, and she replies, “Because of my background and how I entered the industry, I always had that shield around me.” The actress also credits her husband, Daniel Weber, for standing by her.
“My husband has been like a little angel on my shoulder so far in my career. He filters things before they reach me. Yet, did I meet people who gave me the heebie-jeebies? Yes, of course. I think whether you’re a man or a woman, you find these people that give you the creeps. But I have been very headstrong and always given people the don’t-mess-with-me vibe,” she adds.
When I met Daniel Weber is when I was still just dating Russell Peters-Sunny Leone
8:27 PM
Peeking into Karenjit Kaur: world’s first adult entertainment star, to graduate to a mainstream actor, now at Cannes, no less
Mayank Shekhar (MID-DAY; July 22, 2023)
Sunny Leone. There, now that I have your attention, with the world’s most googled name, over multiple years—it might be easier to have you explore Karenjit Kaur Vohra, the actual person behind the screen name.
To start with, why is she Sunny Leone, of all names. I wondered about this, dozing off, watching a show recently, where they mentioned the African country, Sierra Leone in it, and I read the subtitles as Sunny Leone!
Wait, is she named after the African country? The real story, and I couldn’t find it detailed on Google, is equally random. When she was still Karenjit—meaning, not yet entered the adult film industry (the accepted euphemism for porn)—she was being interviewed, I’m assuming, for a girlie magazine, after debuting as a pin-up.
Sunny recalls, “So, I was at work. This was at a tax retirement firm, where I did all kinds of jobs, one of which was as the receptionist. During that call, that I had to finish fast, they asked me what should they name me? I couldn’t think of anything, so I said Sunny, which is my brother’s name. He is Sandeep Singh. For the last name, I asked them to pick one themselves.”
As it turns out, the magazine’s owner was Italian. Hence, Leone. Aha, got it—as in filmmaker Sergio Leone (popular Italian surname), not Sierra Leone! That said, Sunny Leone, which Karenjit sees totally as a brand, distinct from her, has gone through multiple makeovers itself. Besides the influencer behind several businesses, from cosmetics to crypto, Sunny Leone 2.0 is a Bollywood actor.
We take this for granted, of course. But, is there any other person from the adult film industry in the world, who’s made that critical transition into mainstream showbiz, in the first place? “In India, for sure, not. In the world? I don’t know! There is Paris Hilton, Kim Kardashian, Tommy Lee… Okay, they’re entertainers, not [mainstream] actors,” Sunny agrees.
And this breaking of a global taboo happened in India, of all places. She’d obviously been to India—where her Punjabi parents first moved to Canada from—quite a few times, growing up: “But as Karen, not Sunny Leone!”
When she got an offer from India to enter the reality show, Bigg Boss, in 2011, she first refused—wary of how the desi public will respond to her, besides understandable safety concerns.
The guys at Colors TV, evidently, made her an offer she couldn’t refuse. The money was good enough for her “down-payment for house” in LA. She had just got married to Daniel Weber, also her business partner. It was just two weeks’ work, and back home. That was the plan. The channel had also assured her that security would not be an issue.
Landing in Mumbai, she and her bodyguard from LA, decided to take a quick peek into what was going on outside the airport, while Weber went off to fetch the bags. And, phew, she saw a massive, uncontrollable crowd, jostling outside, to catch a glimpse of ‘Sunny Leone’: “We just rushed back. The military at the airport had to form a human chain, as we were somehow finally escorted out.”
That frenzy continues, clearly. Consider an image from Kerala that went viral online once, when Sunny had visited Kochi to promote a cellphone brand: “We’ve done such events, a million times. But with this one, the stage was small. From the car, I could see lots of people outside.
“Once I got out, there was a swarm, for as long as you could see, hanging from buses... It takes your breath away! People were analyzing later online, that they were from a political rally, nearby. But they were all yelling my name! It’s on my way back that I saw that picture you’re talking about: ‘Holy shit!’
“They were well-behaved, though, and the police were on guard. Security concerns depend on circumstances. Sometimes you’re at greater risk at a lounge or a nightclub than in a public place.”
What this insane love for Sunny reveals about us—an inherent non-judgmental liberalism, or sheer hypocrisy, is hard to tell. What’s common, regardless of where you’re in India, as she’s mentioned before, is Sunny being stared at.
“I think it’s an Indian thing. It’s not just with me. They just stare straight at you. I just walk with my horse blinders on. The funniest is, when I actually say hello to someone, on a set, or in general—they just slink away. They don’t say a hey, back. That’s even ruder!”
Ever since the Bigg Boss gig, Sunny says her life has been on a “wheel turning on its own”. Bigg Boss led to Pooja Bhatt’s Jism 2, her Bollywood debut, that was a hit, chiefly for its top-class soundtrack.
The film-offer happened with filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt entering the Bigg Boss house to publicly sign her up. She thought it was a gimmick/joke: “I didn’t know who he was. Recently, I was on the set with Pooja [Bhatt] getting into the Bigg Boss house. How life comes a full circle!”
On her maiden Bollywood shoot, she felt like a “fish out of water”. Otherwise, her knowledge of Hindi cinema was limited to VHS tapes of films her family played—on occasion, for late-night pyjama plus pizza parties at home.
It’s not that she thought about those films much, let alone imagine starring in them: “I could understand the movies, because Punjabi is similar to Hindi. Being from a conservative family, I spoke to my mother about how the heroines in those films were allowed to wear certain clothes, that I wasn’t permitted to at home. Those were my concerns!”
This tallies with the usual desi Diaspora life, doesn’t it? “It does. And I have a theory. Don’t know about now, but back then, the home-sick migrants, who moved to other countries, chose to create a ‘time warp’ around themselves—for when, and what they had left behind. So, inside their homes, they recreated the same philosophies of Indian life and culture [to feel like they hadn’t moved at all].” Sounds like Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995), surely.
That was young Karen’s life. Before she became ‘Sunny Leone’, the adult film star, and thereafter a Bollywood actor, of course. There is a scene in Jism 2, where she heaves and moans, to tell her co-actor on screen, “You think this is easy. It looks like it. It’s not.”
While she didn’t write that line, she believes in it: “No matter what you do, if you’re an entertainer, it’s true, it’s a tough life. Even if you have families backing you—they can’t help you win the love of the public.
“And when you’re working, nobody asks you what your day was like, or what you’re going through, on that day—you just perform. Even if someone did ask—you wouldn’t say how you feel. You wear a mask, all the time.”
Take her journey to be taken seriously as a mainstream actor, for instance. She says she did go through acting workshops, before the shoot of Jism 2. And she’s had a team of coaches since.
At one point, she was paying an acting instructor, $200-$300 an hour—“they can be that expensive.” This is because a top Mumbai filmmaker had asked her to audition for the lead in a major production.
And, apparently, she declined—because she was offered economy-class tickets to arrive at the shoot? “Oh, no, that was still okay… It was everything across the board. And I am not talking about some small-budget film, or a production company that couldn’t afford things to be put into the budget for an artiste. It just seemed so unreasonable. But, hey, I did pass the audition!”
She doesn’t name the film. I’m thinking (in my head), Vishal Bhardwaj’s Rangoon (2017), where she could potentially crack the whip well, as Hunterwali, or the Australian-Indian Fearless Nadia. But why hazard a guess.
“Let’s just say, the gentleman’s films did very well, but this one, I auditioned for, went average. So, everything happens for a reason.” Sunny did bag and see through the lead part of Charlie in Anurag Kashyap’s Kennedy, post an audition, that was “held before the entire office, with everyone being asked how it went!”
She was terrified. Only to realize—when she hung out with these audience members, over a drink, much later—that she had been pre-selected, already: “Anurag sir probably just wanted to check if I’ll show up [for the audition]. Of course, I will. Since things have landed on my shoulders on their own, I may have created the impression that I won’t test for parts, which is obviously not true.”
This is the first time I’ve met Sunny. Strangely, one thing that most journalists say, once they do interview her, is how surprised they were to find her so sorted in the head. As if adult films stars posing, consensually, before a camera, must be ditzy brunettes.
If anything, you expect candour from a rare celebrity in this part of the world, who’s owned her life so publicly, through a documentary, Mostly Sunny (2016)—even a multi-season, semi-fictional series on her life, Karenjit Kaur - The Untold Story Of Sunny Leone (2018). Which, I’ve to admit, I couldn’t finish, because the crappy app it’s on (ZEE5) just wouldn’t allow me to!
“What’s in the series, is all true. I was clear about that, when they approached me for it. I’m very emotional about my family, and I wouldn’t have it any other way,” Sunny promises.
That series starts with an interview by a journalist, trying to slut-shame Sunny, to state it crudely. It’s somewhat based on news anchor Bhupendra Chaubey’s chat with her for News 18 in 2016. Which showed a really unfazed and warm side of Sunny—she says stuff like, it’s possible that superstar Aamir Khan may not wish to work with someone like her, but that’s okay.
Soon after, she got a call from Aamir, Sunny recalls, “He felt the same cringe. So many others too called up, to say they were proud of me: Anil Kapoor, Sonam Kapoor, Hrithik Roshan…”
Given the context, on a lark, I asked ChatGTP what Chaubey’s former colleague, broadcaster Rajdeep Sardesai, might ask Sunny Leone in an interview. All crappy questions. Our jobs are still safe. But I ask her one from that list, anyway.
‘You’ve faced a lot of criticism and backlash from some sections of society for your past work, how do you deal with such negativity?’ Sunny says, “I don’t deal. These people leaving comments are still there, only moving me up in Google rankings.” So, who’s the loser here—fair call/point!
The other thing interesting about the Karenjit Kaur series is it features a stand-up comedian called Rusty, who is so obviously based on the Canadian, desi comic, Russell Peters. Rusty makes jokes on Sunny part of his stand-up routine, while they had actually once dated. True story?
“Yeah, you should check it out. Not that I mind at all. It’s for the laughs, it’s totally fine.” How long had they dated? “For a hot second! We were great together, as friends—drinking, being silly, funny… We went on a date, and just messed it up. I’d still be so happy to meet him.”
As per that series, again, her boyfriend then (Daniel), husband now, beats the shit out of Rusty for using Sunny in his gags: “Oh, no that was just sensationalizing. That never happened. All that family parts in the series, though, are all true.
“Actually, when I met Danny is when I was still just dating Russell. Once Danny and I got together, I just had to drop my friendship with Russell. It’d be a mixing of weirdness, otherwise. Felt sad about it.”
Unsure if Sunny continues to make it to Russell’s stand-up set. Surely, it’d be better than other Sunny jokes floating around, forever: ‘What happens when Sunny Deol marries Sunny Leone? They both become Sunny Leone!’ She doesn’t find any of them funny, anyway: “Danny does; but he has a different sense of humour!”
Having spent over a decade in Mumbai—which, even for Indians is a tough city to live in—Sunny says it’s her pucca New Yorker, Brooklyn, Jewish husband, Daniel, who’s turned more desi, as a result.
She laughs, “Well, don’t go by my American accent. I’m totally Indian myself too. And even after I retire, Mumbai will remain my home forever. But when I see Danny order chicken tikka all the time, bob his head, say, ‘time-pass’, ‘just’, ‘only’… I’m like, ‘Who are you, dude?’”
The only thing that surprises me about Sunny is that she’s a Trump supporter, or at least a sufficient sympathizer—and this, only because she’s the daughter of Indian migrants herself. Trump’s views on migration, in general, are well-known.
Besides that it’s not proven (or proven otherwise) that Trump was a sexual offender at all, or that his supporters stormed the Capitol, when he lost the elections—Sunny’s arguments are focused more on Joe Biden’s supposed indiscretions.
We get into a bit of a political debate, to realize soon enough, thankfully—it’s kinda pointless in these polarized times. Waste of time. Nobody’s winning this.
But she has her firm opinions, and it’s do with the fact that her brother Sandeep (the real ‘Sunny’), a chef, has to be pay for Obamacare (America’s healthcare programme, supported by the Democrats.)
“Well, he can’t feed himself, and it’s okay that he must pay premium for Obamacare? He must have the choice, whether to, or not. America is all about choice.”
Okay, okay, moving on. If you follow her conversations, even casually, the only prism to assess Karenjit, as a person, is to see her quite simply as an astute business person. “And doing business is slightly different in India,” she says.
Something she needs to adjust to: “We are Americans. We do our work, and move on. Over here, more emotions get involved. That’s what businesses run on. That you must meet next week, too, even when the work is over. It was a learning curve. And something that Danny and I have realised we need to pay attention to.”
That said, Sunny sees India as the market to be in: “Even if you go to Bandra, and check with people selling slippers there, how much they make—it’ll shock you. Of course, there is competition, but running small businesses, even mom and pop shops, is much easier, than in America. Just look at the number of people here!”
As a big enough brand herself—with a premium valuation for everything, from ribbon-cutting, to product endorsements—there are businesses she runs, with Sunny Leone as the leverage.
She says, “It helps me live my passion, which was always business, since I was a child. I was that kid knocking on doors, selling you stuff—starting with lemonade, shoveling snow... Even when I entered the adult industry, I built my own website, learnt HTML, marketing, photoshop for images, video, ran my own affiliate programme…”
Not that we’re taxmen to ask how much she makes—it certainly sounds like an empire of sorts, by Indian standards. What does she do with her money—does she have guilty-pleasure luxuries, say, a private island?
“I hope Danny buys me one in Maldives, where we keep going for holidays. No, I’m just a plough-horse on a farm, that keeps working. I’m lucky, because my husband buys stuff for us. But we spent on our house here [in Andheri West], our cars… We also save money—we have three kids, a lot of it will go to them.”
How about a private jet? “Oh, I would never buy that. Not even reserve a seat in a time-share [programme]!” Why’s that? Well, there is a story.
“Okay, firstly, those private jets are nothing like you see in amazing images, and ads. They’re dinkies. We got into a private plane, going to Latur [in Maharashtra], because there is no commercial airport there. The plane got into a crazy air-pocket. We had the Sardar pilot loudly praying, ‘Waahe Guruji, Waahe Guruji...’ Our security guy’s legs were flying in two different directions, hands elsewhere. Danny was losing it with the manager, who’d booked us in the plane. I was trying to calm him down. I swore, I’ll never fly such a plane again.
“And guess what? A month later, we learnt, that we had matched with a girl [Nisha] for adoption. Guess where? Latur! I asked my manager to book a private charter, again. He said, ‘Are you out of your mind?’ We had to return to Latur, to eventually pick Nisha up, thereafter, as well. I guess, Latur and I are connected, in the most amazing and non-amazing ways! But yes, I don’t mind the last row of a commercial flight—no private jet!”
Done. No private jet for most of us who are reading this either. Just that we will never afford it—at least we can feel better about it! To think of it, everything began for Sunny with photos in girlie magazines, and videos that went viral, before that term was invented.
While production of porn is illegal in India, I tell her about how there is a thriving underground, local, adult films’ scene. One of the male stars of which, an actor called Shakespeare (it’s his real name), I’ve been in touch with, as a journalist, for quite some time.
Shakespeare tells me about how Sunny’s unthinkable commercial success had inspired a cottage eco-system of female aspirants. Which, in a way, also reflects a changing society, when it becomes to matters of shame and guilt, associated with sex.
Is she aware of this, or does she have a take on it? “How would I know [of what’s going on]? I live in my own bubble. When I go out to meet people, it’s not like they say, come on, let’s talk about sex!”
The truth is, those aspirants will not see anything close to Sunny days, ever. Maybe even get penalized/ostracized for it, in the long run, who knows?
Consider Mia Khalifa—an adult film star, about as well-known as Sunny. In 2014, she shot a dozen videos for $12,000, which remained her lifetime’s income from it. Her popularity subsequently soared, but she gained nothing.
And she never actually wished to be a ‘porn star’, she said—coming out in public, eventually, shining a light on the exploitative nature of America’s adult film industry. To which, Sunny responds, “How do I put this in a nice way? Read your contract!”
She adds, “I worked only with the best people. I have no horror stories. I read through and corrected every single contract, [to ensure] I was gaining something from it. I was in control of everything that I was doing. And I do believe, in that industry, there are different sides. But from my perspective, I was in complete control. I saw it as a means to get towards something different.”
As for whether she empathizes with Mia’s state/claims, at least, she argues, “Let’s say, you are going to broadcast this interview on one platform. But you also license it out to several other outlets. If I sign a contract that says, no, you can’t. Then, you can’t. Sure, you could end up with people who lie. But usually, at least in my experience, people are straightforward.”
In her own case, while she’s exited the adult industry, her videos continue to fly: “Exactly! You can’t get rid of the Internet, it’s impossible. But I did make sure—I got out of whatever time I spent on it. I did.
“Also, you know—it’s like me telling you to limit where you are going to put out this interview. Is that going to help me, or hurt me? Do I want you to exploit this interview? Of course.”
If we go back again to the Karenjit Kaur series, the one who was evidently hurt by Sunny’s choice of profession was her mother, foremost. Apparently, she veered towards alcoholism, as a result?
“No, my mother became an alcoholic, way before my life choices. We went through a lot of craziness in our house, because of this addiction. It was sad, because you always want to think that your mother loves you more than alcohol. But it wasn’t about that. It was an addiction—something psychological that needed to be repaired from the inside. That had nothing to do with me.”
“Was I a trigger? Most definitely. But I was always a trigger. It didn’t matter what I did—whether it was coming home late, or anything she didn’t like. When [the adult industry] happened, it was, you know, a stamp-trigger. It was not fun at all.”
Which brings me to what can only be termed the successful ‘porn star paradox’. And it’s something any libertarian parent might have to deal with. Which is—what if their child tells them they wish to follow in the footsteps of Sunny, given the immeasurable amounts of fame and money she has achieved? What would they even say? How would Sunny respond, if her children asked her the same?
“I would have to educate them as much as possible—to let them know of pros and the cons of this [decision]. They will obviously know [about] what I have done in my life, at some point. They are too young now. I made certain decisions, because of whatever circumstances in my life. So, if I can provide you with sound decisions—where you know what you are doing, and if you are okay with that—then I don’t think I would be able to stop anybody, after a certain age. I don’t know—they are only 5 and 7. It’s a long time from now. My main worry is how to get through their teenage years! I think that will be more difficult than some of the life choices they make after 18.”
Her children’s professional future is way ahead of them, of course—we may still be looking far too much into Sunny’s past as well, while she’s currently at another cusp in her career.
She returned from Cannes, where her film, Kennedy, premièred before a packed house, at the biggest venue of the festival. It’s surprising that this was her first time at the French riviera, given the number of stars, celebrities and wannabes walk the red-carpet there for a photo-op.
She was a rare one from India, with an actual film, to show for it. The screening at the world’s top cinema fete concluded with a reported seven-minute standing ovation. Sunny, you could see, was in tears.
“I was crying like a baby the entire week at Cannes. It was a really emotional trip. And there are two sides of it. One is the film itself, which I am so happy and proud of. Then, there is my personal journey—and what does Cannes means to me, in it? If you told me, when I stepped foot in the Bigg Boss house—that 11 years later, I would be walking the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival, I would have told you to go, f*** yourself! That you are some crazy man, who took some blue pill. And that’s the crazy journey that I’ve had.”
There is something magical about being in India & this industry, says Sunny Leone as she completes 10 years in the country
8:25 AM
Rachana Dubey (BOMBAY TIMES; April 19, 2022)
A decade ago, she was introduced into the Bigg Boss house to add more glam and spike up the ratings. After that, the doors to Bollywood opened up for Sunny Leone and she quickly embraced the opportunities that came her way. In a chat with Bombay Times, she talks about the fast-growing entertainment space in India, how she fits into it all and how the next few years seem packed with the kind of work she always desired to do. Excerpts:
You’re completing a decade of living in India and being a part of the entertainment industry here. What do you think has worked for you and made you turn India into your home?
It has been so amazing. My husband Daniel (Weber) and I could erase some of the bad memories, but it has been a fulfilling decade which we have spent here. It’s been a dream — we’ve gotten into production, films, shows, television and entrepreneurship in different spaces. I love being here and I am very happy about it. A long time ago, Daniel and I were staying at a five-star hotel, our makeshift home. I was shooting for Jism 2 at that time and I met a woman who had told me that once you are here, India will get a hold of you and you will never want to move to another country. She was right! Like it happens to so many people who come here, it happened to me, too.
There is something magical about being in India and being in this industry. This country holds you back in a good way. I remember what that lady said as I complete each year here. I never want to leave and be anywhere else. This is my home. At work, I have tapped into so many different outlets of entertainment. India is one of the fastest emerging countries as far as creating content goes — we’re doing so much of it every single day. It’s unbelievable. If you are a professional and sincere, you will be very busy. If you just focus on work and go back home, and not steal someone else’s hard work, you’ll be home and at peace.
Your web show, Anamika on MX Player, drove home the point that there’s more to you than a glamourous image and fine dancing skills. What took you so long to pick an author-backed part like that?
I can only choose from what’s on the table. Certain projects that came to me, which sounded interesting, did not complete the circle to move forward. We were happy to even get a meeting with Vikram Bhatt. He was kind and generous. And I was floored because it doesn’t happen very often that someone sees me in a completely different light. I have worked with some amazing people in my career, but this was different. It was an immediate yes and I didn’t need more information than he already had. He makes you want to trust him; he is honest and hardworking. The story was compelling, it was outside my comfort zone and I hadn’t had the chance to try that before. Vikram nurtured me in every way possible and he always had so much to share, there is a reason people liked the show. The best part is that he saw me differently; he saw past the glamour and showed me in a unique way. We like actors and want to emulate them because they are glamorous and I don’t want to take away from that, but Vikram saw something. I am honoured that he did.
Your superhero film, Shero, is one of the four films you’ve worked on down South. We’ve seen a growing trend of Bollywood actors doing multilingual films. What attracts you to work across film industries?
I will have to go back to what I said about picking from what I’m offered. Shero is another space that people have not imagined me in. It’s a psychological thriller with action and crazy stuff thrown in. I have one film which allows me to play a glamorous part, and two others, one of which has some really big names in it. I’ve just finished shooting for one at Tirupati.
Did you plan for your career to move this way? Did you ever set a game plan for yourself?
I don’t think you can plan all this. I find it interesting when people say that they are waiting for the right project to come their way. How do we ever know what a right project is going to look like? I am language and industry agnostic. I am okay with work in any language as long as it’s good work. We are in a time where content is dubbed in languages that are common for various regions. People are past the idea of the language barrier because everyone wants good content and that is the name of the game. I have prided myself in the fact that Daniel and I are working parents, like a lot of other couples around us. It’s equally important to work and take care of our children. Who doesn’t like to work? I like to work. I want that job more than anyone else and for that, I am willing to go an extra mile and learn the language and prepare my scenes in advance. I just got back from Tirupati where we were shooting. I refused to shoot my portions in Hindi, though it was offered to me. It is important to learn the languages, and even though it takes time, when you go on set, you’re prepared and equipped. I’m an artiste who wants the work — I don’t believe that I need it and I don’t think I deserve it. I want it and I will work hard for it. I’ve learned every single thing I know by working with so many wonderful people. I came here with no formal training in what I am doing today. Not everything I did looked nice. Some of it looked horrible, too. You’re sitting in a room and wondering what you are doing, which is not looking great. It’s a matter of time and with the right guidance and meeting the right people, you grow out of that. We’re well past that point where you have to work with an A-list actor or director. COVID taught us to be humble. It is about finding the people who believe in you and have the patience to nurture you and guide when you falter.
Apart from acting, you have been pursuing different kinds of entrepreneurial interests along with your husband. What pushes you to take on so many ventures?
Daniel and I do 20 things at once. It is not just a movie or a show that I count on to make my life meaningful. I love it all, but that is not it. If something didn’t go well, it’s not in my hands to change that. Like I can’t say, ‘Okay, let’s pull it out, correct it and put it back there...’ for a show or a movie. It doesn’t work like that. You have to be a realist and understand what you are good at. My husband and I are good at multitasking and have our hands in as many avenues of entertainment and lifestyle as we can. Instead of focusing on only one thing. The next five years are going to be about work. We are looking forward to greenlighting more projects from what’s on the table and entrepreneurially, I want to grow. Something that I do today will always pay better tomorrow. I will continue to live with that thought.
One photo cannot dictate who we are as parents-Sunny Leone
8:26 AM
Actor Sunny Leone blasts trolls who claim she treats her daughter Nisha differently
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; March 20, 2022)
Sunny Leone is very protective of her three children, Nisha, Asher and Noah, just like any other mother. While the actor is fine with the attention they get as celebrity children, she is not pleased when her parenting is called into question.
People recently remarked on a photo of Leone and her husband, Daniel Weber, not holding their daughter’s hand, and trolls asked whether it was because she was adopted.
Leone says, “I don’t read [comments]. Daniel, on the other hand, reads everything because he is aware of every aspect of our lives, personal and professional. It hurt his feelings. I had to tell him over and over again… I was hurt too, but we couldn’t both be sad [at the same time]. I had to tell him, ‘You know what? These people don’t know you, or us, what we do for our kids’.”
The 40-year-old, who was recently seen in the web series Anamika, continues, “They (trolls) are not cooking our food, cleaning after them (kids), playing with them, taking them to school... So, just one photo cannot dictate who we are as parents.”
Leone even offered an example of a Hollywood star who was also subjected to trolling regarding her parenting skills when talking to her husband, since he was extremely upset. “Daniel is quite sensitive about our children, particularly Nisha,” explains the actor, adding, “She is daddy’s little girl. Nobody can come near her or say anything bad about her without him becoming very upset and protective.”
We look forward to moving into our new house and giving our children the space to run around, ride their bikes-Sunny Leone
8:04 AM
Rachana Dubey (BOMBAY TIMES; April 20, 2021)
It was recently reported that Sunny Leone has bought a new house on the 12the floor of a building in Andheri. The house is apparently over 4,000 sq ft in size and the actress, along with her husband Daniel Weber and their kids, Nisha, Asher and Noah, will move in soon. Sunny, who is currently prepping for her movie down South and another project with Vikram Bhatt, confirmed the development to Bombay Times.
She says, “We had bought this house before the Coronavirus pandemic hit us. Daniel and I had decided that it was time to buy a place that has more space for our kids. The pandemic just pushed everything around and it took longer to get it done. The building and the house are both ready now. We’re just waiting for the right time to move into our new home.”
Talking about the interiors of their new residence, Sunny says, “We found a really nice interior designer, who has done up the place to our liking. We wanted open spaces in the house and room for the children to move around more freely. Our priority while looking for a new house was to essentially find a building that offers enough privacy and security. Also, there are ample amenities within the building complex that will keep the kids engaged.”
Sunny says, “We look forward to moving into our new house and giving our children the space to run around, ride their bikes and feel some sense of normalcy.”
A year ago, Sunny had spoken to BT about life in the lockdown, post which she also took off to the USA to spend time with Daniel’s family. The actress returned to Mumbai late last year and, since then, has been working on different projects and is currently prepping for two. Speaking about how she continues to be stern about health and safety protocols, Sunny shares, “Obviously, my kids’ safety is my priority. I am crazy about testing and sanitising, and keeping the space clean. My staff is here 24 hours, and we don’t allow people from outside into our little circle. My kids don’t meet strangers. But despite all of this, we try to maintain some normalcy. As parents, we’re raising children who are not socialising with other kids. The younger ones will probably come around sooner, but the impact will be visible on all the children when we get to the other side.”
She further adds, “Like every other parent, who has had to step out for work, I have followed protocols and made sure others around me do so, too. The good part is that people completely understand why I am doing it. No one feels offended when asked to mask up. Today, I just think that it will be a win-win situation if all of us can mask up and follow protocols without anyone reminding us about them.”
I have a few projects lined up in the USA, and I hope to start work soon-Sunny Leone
2:32 PM
The actress, who has temporarily moved to her home in LA, says that while her kids are enjoying the beaches and parks there, they are also missing their home in Mumbai
Rachana Dubey (BOMBAY TIMES; July 16, 2020)
For over two months now, Sunny Leone has been living in her Los Angeles home with her family — husband Daniel Weber and children, Nisha, Asher and Noah. The family has been making the most of their stay there and is visiting the beaches and parks in the vicinity of their home. Sunny says, “It’s nice for the kids to get to run around. We spend 90 per cent of our day outside. Of course, we have been cautious and are following social distancing norms. But here, you can go to the parks, garden, farms and even the beach. The kids are getting some outdoor experiences. These days, they are learning to ride little bikes and scooters. Also, they get to meet their cousins and have the whole family around them.”
Talking about moving back to Mumbai, she says, “It is difficult to not be able to get back as and when we want. Also, the Coronavirus pandemic here is not any better than other places in the world. Every family out there has the same struggle as us — what are you going to do with your day or with your children when they are indoors with you?” However, the actress has something to look forward to on the work front. She shares, “I have a few projects in the pipeline now. I am glad that soon, I will be able to work here, in the US.”
When the family was living in Mumbai, they would stay in touch with the staff managing her house in LA. Now that Sunny is there, she is in touch with her staff in Mumbai. “They’re doing well and have been keeping themselves safe. The kids and I miss them and our house there. We talk about it every day. I keep reminding my kids that they will be going back to the people in Mumbai, who they are missing so much.”
I didn’t want to leave my Mumbai home, I’ll fly back as soon as I can-Sunny Leone
8:03 AM
Rachana Dubey (BOMBAY TIMES; June 4, 2020)
Last month, Sunny Leone, along with husband Daniel Weber and children, Nisha, Asher and Noah, took a flight out to Los Angeles — their other home. The actress, in a chat with BT, spoke about why she moved to the US amidst the lockdown. She also said that she is waiting to return to Mumbai as soon as she possibly can.Most parts of the US, too, are grappling with the Coronavirus pandemic. So, have you guys settled in? How have the kids reacted to the change?
Surprisingly, the children reacted very well to flying out. It was a very long journey, but the first day that they were home, they played outside all day. They didn’t want to come inside at all, and it was amazing for them to be able to do that. As far as the body clocks go, it’s just a process and took a few days to adjust. Nisha’s virtual classes have ended. They will start when the new academic year commences.
Tell us more about the flight back home...
It was a 39-hour-long journey. It was tiring, but somehow, the flight timings worked out well for the kids’ sleeping schedules. Personally, I was sad to leave Mumbai, and trust me, I didn’t want to leave, which is why it took us so long to decide to come here. However, it was important for us to be around Daniel’s mother and his family. Like everyone else, they wanted to be with their loved ones.
What do you plan to do now?
I don’t have anything to do with the local service industry here, so I don’t know much about it. Luckily, we have saved some money and can lead a comfortable life.
When do you plan to return to India?
Like I said, I did not want to leave my Mumbai home at all. The plan to return to India is based on when international flights resume, normally. As soon we can fly back, we will. We want to be on the next flight to India.
A few days after you moved to LA, you brought in your birthday. How did you celebrate it?
It was simple; the kids got me a cake, some flowers and balloons. That’s it!
Sunny Leone flies to LA with husband and kids amid COVID-19 pandemic
8:18 AM
Rachana Dubey (BOMBAY TIMES; May 12, 2020)
Sunny Leone took to social media to reveal that she has travelled back to her home in the US with husband Daniel Weber and kids, Nisha, Noah and Asher. The actress, who posted a picture on Instagram with her three kids from the garden of her house in Los Angeles, also explained why she decided to travel amid the coronavirus pandemic. “In life when you have children your own priorities and well-being takes the back seat. Both @dirrty99 and I had the opportunity to take our children where we felt they would be safer against this invisible killer 'Coronavirus' Our home away from home and secret garden in Los Angeles. I know this is what my mother would have wanted me to do. Miss you mom. Happy Mother’s Day! (sic),” she wrote.In an earlier interview with BT, talking about her home in LA, she had shared, “We had listed it with a rental company because we’re usually travelling and are in India for work. Someone who stayed in before the lockdown is enjoying the beautiful house.” We guess Sunny, who will be celebrating her birthday tomorrow, will be spending the rest of the lockdown in the dream home that she built with her hubby.
Lockdown makes Sunny Leone return to her roots
8:36 AM
Rachana Dubey (BOMBAY TIMES; April 16, 2020)
For Sunny Leone and her husband Daniel Weber, the ongoing Coronavirus lockdown has been all about returning to their roots. With most of their staff off duty, the couple has been doing all the household chores by themselves — cooking, cleaning, dusting, the works. They have also been managing their kids — twin sons Asher and Noah, and daughter Nisha — mostly on their own.
She shares, “Daniel and I were brought up in countries where we didn’t have house staff. We had to do everything ourselves and now, we’ve comfortably rolled back to that style of living.” She adds, “At one point, we did think of moving to a temporary pad in Goa, where the kids would get to go on the beach everyday and enjoy some fresh air, but we stayed put in our Mumbai apartment because our safety net’s here — any help is easily available.”
Talking about her daily routine, the actress says, “Daniel and I have divided household chores. While he makes breakfast, I cook lunch and dinner. We cook everything from Indian to Mediterranean food — cupcakes, parathas, rotis, mac ‘n’ cheese... the variety makes the kids happy. One of us sits with Nisha when she has online classes. And, when the babies nap, we do our workouts — we go up and down the building stairs and follow videos for high-intensity workouts.”
Sunny says that one of the biggest lessons the lockdown has taught her is the importance of a teacher in a child’s life. “I am grateful to teachers and today, I have an added amount of respect for them. Teachers do a very special job and I think they are all underpaid for it. We cannot do what the teachers do for our kids,” she signs off.
The Coronavirus pandemic has put parents in a difficult situation-Sunny Leone
8:30 AM
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; March 22, 2020)
Leone had shared a picture of her family on Instagram this week, including the kids, wearing face masks, with a caption saying, “A new era! So sad that my kids have to now live like this, but it’s necessary.” The actor feels we must voice our concern and make a difference. “It’s okay for children to wear masks, it’s perfectly all right for parents to worry about their health, and take all precautions to make sure they are safe. I can’t keep my kids locked up inside all the time, but I can take them on a walk outside without coming in contact with people or strangers, or touching things. They are in their strollers, so they can get fresh air,” she says.
Talking about the effects of the pandemic on the social habits of people, apart from their well-being, she says it’s a bizarre situation for kids. “It’s a stressful time in our lives. It’s sad that our children have to go through this. They can’t play outside, go to school, meet others. We are desocialising ourselves, but it’s a safety measure,” says the actor.
Coronavirus: Desi singers to host live performances on social media during Sunday’s Janata Curfew
8:36 AM
MID-DAY (March 21, 2020)
After international singers like Chris Martin and John Legend, a slew of Indian musicians, including Ankit Tiwari, Akhil Sachdeva and Amaal Mallik, have decided to perform impromptu home concerts for fans via social media. It will be held in the wake of Sunday’s “Janata Curfew”, which will be imposed from 7 am to 9 pm.
Sachdeva, who sang Tera Ban Jaunga in Kabir Singh (2019), said he was “looking forward to this concert”. Sunny Leone’s husband Daniel Weber will also participate in the gig. “We urge people to stay at home. In the meanwhile, we will try our best to entertain you all with our music,” Weber added.
The concert will take place on Sunday between 4 and 5 pm, with artistes going live on their respective social media handles.
Singers like Tulsi Kumar, Jasleen Royal, Richa Sharma, Shruti Pathak, Jeet Ganguli, Abhay Jodhpurkar, Osho Jain, Bhoomi Trivedi, Ravi and Shargun Dubey, have also joined hands to be part of it.
My fans are the fuel to my fire-Sunny Leone
8:26 AM
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; December 12, 2019)
She has made headlines ever since she entered Bollywood. Everything actor Sunny Leone touched became a talking point, as proved by her films such as Ragini MMS 2 (2014), and special songs including Laila Tujhe (Shootout At Wadala; 2013) and Laila Main Laila (Raees; 2017). So it’s no surprise that she figures among the most searched celebs on the internet. Sunny, who has featured in many such lists in the past, speaks about her latest achievement and more.
You have emerged as the most searched female celeb of 2019 according to a search engine. You have been a constant in such lists over the past years. What’s your reaction to this achievement?
Well, it’s definitely an honour that my fans are so supportive. It’s a reminder every year that they really are the fuel to my fire. I love them as much as they might love me. They are there forever.
How would you define ‘popularity’ in today’s time, with social media taking precedence? Is there also a sense of pressure to stand out from the crowd, since everything goes viral in no time?
I love the place the industry is in now. It’s purely based on talent and the ability to be well-rounded in entertainment as a whole. Daniel (Weber; husband) and I along with my entire team have been working on this balancing act for years. It has been great to be creative in many fields. So, for us the pressure is a good pressure and gets us all creatively working together.
Your husband tweeted about your ‘most-searched celeb’ achievement, and wrote ‘The true power of her brand’. What would you like to say?
I will just say my husband is the greatest man I’ve met! He is so intelligent and so great in business. We are a great team, but he really is the backbone of brand ‘Sunny Leone’.
We haven’t seen you in a full fledged role in any film in 2019. Are you purposely slowing down on work?
I have had one of the busiest years ever working... what I call the ‘working year’. This year is a set up for next year. So many amazing things are happening!
I can be Sunny Leone because of Daniel Weber-Sunny Leone
2:24 PM
Dhaval Mehta (DNA; July 19, 2019)
Sunny Leone is a busy girl. She has just launched a playschool called the Art School, her new eye-kit under her own cosmetic line also just released and she is occupied with her lingerie brand, too. “Five years from now, I want my business to grow at a level that is recognised around the world,” says the former Bigg Boss contestant. As far as acting goes, her new Telugu film Koka Kola is coming out and the television reality show Splitsvilla 12 sees her as a host. “I don’t think I have any more space left on my plate,” she laughs, as we catch up for an interview. Excerpts from the chat...
How do you juggle between acting, business and motherhood?
It has to be done. There is no choice. If all the moms out there are reading this, they will know exactly what I am talking about. Kids have to be fed, they have to have their baths, they have to go to school. You (parents) need to give them proper attention and be there and watch them grow. You have to take care of the household, go to work and one million things have to get done every day. But, I am not complaining and I love my life. Yes, I don’t sleep much, but this is the best part of my life ever. I am good at time management and so is my husband (Daniel Weber). So, there is always someone or the other taking care of the kids. And we both are hands-on parents.
Do you feel that Daniel doesn’t get enough credit for what he does?
Anybody who knows me and Daniel — even a small percentage of who he is, is aware that I can be Sunny Leone because of him. If there is no Daniel then there is no Sunny, it is that simple. He gives me the ability to follow my dreams and passions. He is a man with many talents and loves what he does with company, productions and is very hands-on.
Recently, your son Asher was compared to Taimur Ali Khan on social media...
Yes, there were comparisons. Asher has a golu little face and so does Taimur. Social media will do what they want to. Taimur is a very, very cute child and Asher is adorable, too.
You are known for your dance numbers. Does it come easy or do you have to work hard?
I still have to work hard. I have two left feet. I always tell them (choreographers) that you have to teach me like I am four years old and we will make it through the song laughs). I like to consider myself as a good listener, I pay attention and work hard.
What excites you more — acting or dancing?
It is definitely acting in films. Though, I love songs and have had a great time shooting them.
What kind of roles would you like to perform on-screen at this stage of your career?
If the role fits me then the genre doesn’t really matter. I have to be intrigued by the story and the content that I am reading and I have to believe that. How does it look on the screen or does it have a meaning or not. It has to work for me whether it is serious or a horror-comedy or drama. You reach a time in your life when choosing one type of genre doesn’t help you as an artist at all.
What can one expect from your stint in Splitsvilla 12?
Rannvijay Singha (co-host) and I work up the situation. Contestants do what they want to and set the pace of the show. They do all the talking (laughs). But the difference this year is, we have incorporated new-age, online dating and apps in the show, which is always evolving.
You have been working here for the past eight years. Do you sometimes find the fame and popularity surreal?
It has been an absolutely amazing journey. I am really thankful to so many fans and people that I have worked with. It’s not what I had pictured in my mind before I came here. But, yeah, it is a dream come true.
Kareena Kapoor Khan with Taimur, Sunny Leone with son Asher
I can’t leave my business in somebody else’s hands-Sunny Leone
8:05 AM
As she launches lingerie brand, Sunny Leone on juggling films and multiple ventures with ease
Sonil Dedhia (MID-DAY; July 10, 2019)
Her fairly successful film career aside, Sunny Leone seems to be meticulously building her brand, one business venture at a time. Already the brain behind a cosmetics line and a perfume brand, the actor launched her lingerie brand, Infamous, earlier this week. “It was a market we hadn’t tapped into and we thought this was the right time to dive into it. Many people had approached us earlier [to partner for similar business]. But when Daniel [Weber, husband] and I met the Bradford India group, we felt they were the right people to tie up with,” she says, when probed about her latest business idea.
Juggling multiple ventures with film assignments can’t be easy. However, Leone insists that she is a hands-on businesswoman. “If I have to take time out in the middle of the night, then so be it. I can’t leave it in somebody else’s hands; if I do, I believe it [the result] will not be to my liking. Daniel and I work as a team, but since most of our products cater to women, I have to take a lot of decisions,” she says, before quipping, “The only time I feel overwhelmed is when my three children [Nisha, Noah and Asher] are crying. Even then, we try to find a solution.”
Three years since she launched her cosmetics and fragrance line, the actor says that the ventures have been a success among her fans. encouraged by the positive response, she says, “The plan is to expand my brand. You can expect some more announcements in the coming months.”
There’s nothing wrong in looking hot or being perceived that way-Sunny Leone
8:21 AM
Rachana Dubey (BOMBAY TIMES; December 15, 2018)
It was in November 2011 that Sunny Leone came to India to participate in a reality show, which eventually changed the dynamics of her career in the movie industry. The show landed her a film and since then, she hasn’t quite looked back. Today, she has made a home in Mumbai, has three kids and earmarked a space for herself in showbiz. In her words, “I said ‘yes’ to jobs that people weren’t easily saying yes to. Hopefully, my diligence has made it clear that I am here to stay.” The actress spoke to BT about her journey so far, and what lies ahead. Excerpts...She packed her bags and moved to Mumbai seven years ago. Talking about how she has made this city her home, Sunny says, “I just wanted to be here completely. The difference in approach stems from whether you came here by force or by choice. It was the latter for Daniel (her husband) and me. This is the only place in the world where I could make my dreams come true. This is where I want to work. Of course, this wasn’t the feeling initially when I came here.
It was during the promotions of Pooja Bhatt’s Jism 2 (2012) at a mall, where I saw a sea of humanity and I was told that they had come to get a glimpse of me. I felt, ‘Woah! This feels great!’ I wanted to cry because it hadn’t ever happened to me before. An older gentleman, at that time, had told me, ‘Sunny, you have to be either here and in it all the way, or you’re not in it at all.’ That, I thought, was good advice and soon, Daniel and I got our own place and began to look at the offers that were coming my way. We decided that we’ll stay back, be professional and consistent with our work, and the rest will follow. I don’t know whether every choice that I made was great or not, but it’s got me where I am today. Seven years ago, I couldn’t have imagined being in this space. Good, bad or ugly, things happen everywhere. I said ‘yes’ to jobs that people weren’t easily saying yes to. Hopefully, my diligence has made it clear that I am here to stay.”
‘THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN VOLATILE, HATEFUL AND HAVE FILED CASES AGAINST ME. THEY HAVE EVEN THREATENED DANIEL AND ME. I WANTED TO PROTECT MYSELF BEFORE ANYTHING ELSE…’
As much as she loves Mumbai and the movies, it took some time for Sunny to settle into this industry and get a grip of her life here. Introspecting her journey so far, she says, “Look, at the end of the day, I am still a guest in this country. There are people who have been volatile, hateful and have filed cases against me. They have even threatened Daniel and me. I wanted to protect myself before anything else. So, it took me a while to speak freely about myself. Gradually, people have become used to the idea that I am going to be here. It just takes time to express yourself; especially because I wasn’t born and raised here. I went into a shell, because once, I was blatantly attacked on national television in a live telecast and was being blamed for issues that had nothing to do with me. Things are fine now.
‘THE SONG BABY DOLL CHANGED THE DYNAMICS OF MY CAREER. WITHOUT THAT SONG, I DON’T KNOW WHAT I’D BE DOING TODAY’
While she started off playing the part of a leading, she gradually moved into a space, once inhabited by actresses like Helen and Bindu in the 1970s. Bring that up and Sunny continues, “Of course, I would like to be part of a film that has amazing content and a good role for me. But I love the songs that I have danced to. I grew up watching songs, and I don’t know why people see the song-and-dance role as negative thing. It’s good work on the table. The song Baby Doll changed the dynamics of my career. Without that song, I don’t know what I’d be doing today. I would probably be struggling to find some work. I had no direction when I came here. I had no clue of what was going on. I had planned to stay here for two weeks and then, just head back home (in the US). But I stayed on for seven years and it was all so organic. I have auditioned for parts and it’s been a great learning curve. I’ve figured that I rather do a small part in a big significant film, than shoulder an entire film on my own, which has a story that’s gone wrong. It doesn’t sell well and looks awful when put out there.
‘IF EVERYONE WORE TURTLENECKS AND LOOSE CLOTHES IN FILMS ALL THE TIME, NO ONE WOULD WATCH FILMS’
It’s often hard for artistes to break out of a glamourous reel image of themselves and tell the world who they really are. When asked if she has ever felt the need to break out of the image of a screen-scorcher, Sunny explains, “One of the most amazing things about celebrities and the reason why most people follow them is their appearance. They’re hot and sexy people. Would I want to break out of that image? Well, I just want to be me. I remember one of first videos that I saw on my phone while searching for something online was one with Hrithik Roshan dancing to a song. It made me want to see the whole video. So, obviously I am attracted to watch it because he’s a great dancer and he looks great. That’s what it is for most people. Some of these actresses look so beautiful and they’re great at putting their looks together. There’s nothing wrong in looking hot or being perceived that way. If everyone wore turtlenecks and loose clothes in films all the time, no one would watch films. We tend to get attracted to everything that looks good and is absent in our lives in some manner.”
It has been a little over seven years since Sunny broke on to the movie marquee. While one still finds ways to penetrate the work space, it takes a while for one to be comfortable socialising with colleagues. The actress admits, “I don’t go to many parties, because I feel awkward. I am a socially-awkward person. So, if I go to a party, I have to find my own corner and hangout there. It’s hard for people to believe that I am really shy and reserved. I can’t walk into a room full of people who I don’t know and feel at ease right away. I am trying to change that about me, but it’s going to take a while. I am not snooty; once I am introduced to someone, I just take my time to get comfortable.”
‘THERE IS A GROUP OF INDIAN ACTORS WHO ARE LIKE THAT MICKEY MOUSE CLUB AND I AM THAT CLUB GONE WRONG. I AM NEVER GOING TO BE ON THAT SIDE OF THE FENCE, BUT I AM HAPPY BEING MY OWN PERSON AND DOING WHAT I LIKE ON MY TERMS’
Being in the Hindi film industry has its own requirements. One of them is command over the language. Over the years, several actresses from foreign countries have not only made Mumbai their home but have also picked the ropes of the language while dabbling in different kinds of roles. Talking about being comfortable speaking in Hindi, Sunny says, “I always understood Hindi and Punjabi, but people around me didn’t speak these languages as much during my growing up years. So, I have an American accent while speaking in Hindi. Even today, I still get that ‘Oh! You speak Hindi’ look. I work in Hindi films, so isn’t that obvious that I should be speaking Hindi? It’s irritating at times to see that people think this way, but it’s their imagery of who I am. I know that I am still working my way up in their minds. The thing is it’s difficult to fight perceptions. The thing is that I am the one who created that perception about me, so I can’t judge people for holding on to that. Does it benefit me? At times it does. There is a group of Indian actors who are like that Mickey Mouse club and I am that club gone wrong. I am never going to be on that side of the fence, but I am happy being my own person and doing what I like on my terms. If it doesn’t come to me, I will find ways to do it on my own.”
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