Sunny Leone: The world knows who I am and what I do

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Sunny Leone talks to Rajul Hegde about her stint in Bigg Boss 5.

 

Indo-Canadian porn star Sunny Leone's stint in the Bigg Boss house ended on the weekend. She was nominated for eviction along with Akashdeep Saigal, Amar Upadhyay, Juhi Parmar, Mahek Chahal and Sidharth Bharadwaj.
She created a flutter when she entered the reality show some weeks ago. She talks to Rajul Hegde about this, about objectionable housemates, and her dream of making it in Bollywood.

Why did you decide to appear in Bigg Boss?

After I got this offer, I watched the earlier seasons and got addicted to it. I have always wanted to enter Bollywood and Bigg Boss was the best offer. How could anyone give it a pass?

'I wanted to show the audience my real personality'

Your entry on the show kicked up some controversies (some wanted it banned for promoting vulgarity and accused her of using the show to promote her adult website). 

The reason I entered the show is because India is ready to give me a step in a different direction. The production and the channel took the big risk of bringing me on this show, which is commendable. 

I am not a monster as you can see (smiles). I wanted to show the audience my real personality, which is different from what they have seen on screen. 

I don't know what's been going on ever since I entered the Bigg Boss house. I just know who I am, and the world knows who I am and what I do.

'I avoided revealing my true identity because I wanted them to judge me as a person'

Initially, you didn't tell the housemates about your profession. Were you scared that they would behave differently?

I have been doing adult films for the last 10 years. I have met all sorts of people and have given interviews in all media. People have hated or appreciated my profession. So I wasn't scared about the reaction. 

I avoided revealing my true identity because I wanted them to judge me as a person. I was not trying to hide what I do. I just wanted the housemates not to have any fixed notion about me.

'My childhood dream was to become a Bollywood heroine'

What was your reaction when Mahesh Bhatt offered you a film?

My childhood dream was to become a Bollywood heroine. 

I was surprised when Mahesh Bhatt offered me the movie as I wasn't sure if audiences had accepted me. But his entry in the house proves that people are positive about me. 

I haven't spoken to Mr Bhatt after coming out of the house. I believe we will meet this week. I want to meet and have an in-depth conversation with him about the film.

'Juhi is the backbone of the house who keeps everyone together'

What did you learn in the Bigg Boss house?

Being on the show has taught me a lot about India and the people. I am an Indian brought up abroad. I was unaware of the small details which I got to learnt from the environment. 

I learnt to make dal and many other things by just watching everyone. I have learnt to speak Hindi, though not fluently but definitely it's getting better. 

I learnt so many things from Juhi Parmar. She defines an Indian woman who is strong, beautiful, dresses appropriately. The way she stands up and speaks up for everything is commendable. 

Juhi is the backbone of the house who keeps everyone together.

'Amar said bad things about me, called me by every name in the book and I did not care'

You expressed your discomfort with Amar Upadhyay. Did you overreact?

I didn't react. I told him repeatedly not to do so but he didn't listen. He did it thrice and then I had to put my foot down and strictly told him to stay away. 

The first time he held my hand and kissed it, I politely told him not to do so. The second time during the rain party he picked me up despite my saying no. I told him that he is a married man with a child and this dirty dancing is not acceptable. 

The third time he grabbed my hand and pulled me tightly towards him, very close to his face, and I really felt uncomfortable.

If I hadn't spoken out, it would be my fault. He said bad things about me, called me by every name in the book and I did not care. But what he did was wrong. Every woman should speak up that second. 

I held my ground. I didn't cry but I had a serious conversation with him where I explained my viewpoint without losing my temper. He publicly apologised to me.

'I don't think that the less you wear, the sexier you are'

Was it intentional not to wear skimpy clothes on the show?

That was necessary. You have to analyse the situation, what is appropriate for people and Indian television. 

I don't think that the less you wear the sexier you are. A woman's sexuality is defined by how she talks, sits, wears and carries herself. 

'I hope to work in India for a long time'

Will you stop acting in adult films for a while if you get to do more Bollywood films?

If Bollywood wants me to work 365 days a year then, yes, I will. I only make one or two movies a year. What I do in the adult industry is minimal compared to the rest of the industry. I have no idea what the future holds for me. I hope to work in India for a long time.

Any recent movie you have watched and liked?

The last movie I watched before entering the Bigg Boss house was Bodyguard. I liked it a lot; I don't know how Salman shakes his whole body which is really cute and funny. I enjoyed watching it.

'I have never seen people fighting so much!'

How was your experience in the house?

I have never seen people fighting so much! I am happy that I kept my sense and didn't get involved in any of the fights. 

I am lucky to have made two good friends in the house. When I came in I didn't think that I would stay in touch with anybody but I will keep contact with Sky and Juhi.

'The dancing task was a lot of fun; I got to learn lots of moves'

Your initial task in the house involved dancing. What was it like dancing Bollywood style?

The dancing task was a lot of fun; I got to learn lots of moves. There were 10 different instructions from the girls on the dance sequence and everybody had an input, including the male housemates!