‘I tried to be dignified through the entire process’: Sunny Leone on her journey, getting rid of adult entertainer tag

Edited excerpts:

How was the experience of working on the film?

It was amazing. I was so excited, so happy when Anurag sir called and said he wants me to possibly play Charlie (her character in the film) and audition for the part.

Sunny Leone in a still from Anurag Kashyap’s Kennedy.

From the women you’ve played in the past whose sexuality is used as bait-and-switch, to this woman, who is very aware of her looks, but is also something more, what was it like to play this part?

Shooting was great. Anurag sir had given me references, that he wanted me to laugh in a certain way, and those references were of real people! I kept practicing in the car, with my family, on set. Everybody thought I was crazy!

From the adult entertainment business, to here on the Cannes red carpet, how do you look at your journey till now?

Unbelievable. The entire journey coming from the adult entertainment stream, going to Big Boss (2011) and getting my first film offer as soon as I came out of the house, and everything just taking off.

We all do things that we need to do in certain moments. How we evolve is how we build our character in life. So that entire journey — fighting different groups, trying to get my foot in the door, because everyone says ‘No no no’, trying to be brand ambassador for certain products and someone saying ‘No, you cannot.’ Fighting through different stigmas, these nasty articles, it was definitely not easy. I tried to be dignified through the entire process.

So when he called, (eyes glistening) sorry, I’m emotional about this, I was so happy, because no one had picked up the phone like this before, to give me a chance to prove myself.

I saw your eyes well up on the red carpet…

I was really trying hard to not have big tears rolling down. Last night, I was thinking oh my gosh, I’m such a baby, I keep getting so emotional. This morning, getting ready, I was hoping this feeling never goes away. I hope I can hold on to it forever.

Sunny Leone at Cannes’ red carpet.

Whether you like Charlie, or not, it doesn’t matter because I’m standing here, on the Cannes red carpet for this film I’m a part of, at one of the most prestigious places in the film world. I hope this feeling doesn’t fade, doesn’t end.

What happens now?

I’m hoping for all good things now (laughs). I have two films from the South coming out this year. I learnt all my dialogues (in Tamil), every single word.

But you’re comfortable in Hindi?

Well, my parents are Punjabi, and I grew up watching Bollywood films.

Was Bollywood always your aim?

I never thought of myself as being in any mainstream film or on national TV. I believe right or wrong, whatever was placed on the plate, I shouldn’t say no. There’s a saying, if people are listening, you should definitely go for it. If news outlets want to hear what you are saying, or if producers and directors want to hire you, go for it. Anurag sir didn’t see any of my bad films that didn’t do well, he saw my interview (with Bhupendra Chaubey, CNN IBN, 2016), so that’s mission accomplished, no?

Sunny Leone, Anurag Kashyap, and Rahul Bhat were all smiles for the clicks.

Does the past negativity, around your profile as an adult entertainer, weigh you down?

It took me a long time to get rid of that tag. It’s done now.

I believe God loves me very much, but he also says, Sunny, you’re going to have to work for it. Lots of things happened in the last 10 years, emotionally draining, hurtful. Lots of people had written me off, had no faith in me. I’ve tried to navigate through that with a smile, and being as grateful as possible, that’s why this moment is so special.

So yeh duniya is no longer pittal di, it’s sone di?

Yeah (laughs).