As a top-rated porn star in the US, Sunny Leone had perhaps never imagined she could have "moved" to Bollywood as "easily" as she did. But she is glad that the industry is "accepting" her while she tries to "fully crack the code".
Excerpts from the interview:
Q. A lot has happened to your career in Bollywood since we last spoke. How do you feel about the changes in your life and career?
A. This has been the most amazing transition that I could hope for. Being accepted and liked in another country is not something that happens all the time.
Q. How accepting has Bollywood been of you? Do you feel completely at home here?
A. Bollywood has been very accepting. I know there are people out there that don't like me but there are more people liking me so it doesn't bother me. I am very lucky that when I entered Bollywood, I was coming with a fan-following already. And the 'Bigg Boss 5' show helped everyone else get to know me as a person. Moving to India from Hollywood was one of the easiest moves I have ever made. Effortless really.
Q. How much of the Indian film industry have you so far come to terms with?
A. I'm not sure I fully understand this question. But I grew up in a typical Punjabi home and watched Hindi movies during my childhood. I understand Hindi and Punjabi and the Indian film industry is like every entertainment industry across the world. It all functions the same just in a different language. I have moved my whole world here and love this industry of Bollywood.
Q. Do you feel it's hard for an outsider like you to crack the Bollywood code?
A. I work very hard and around the clock trying my hardest to learn everything that Bollywood is. I'm not even sure if I have fully cracked the 'code', but I've begun the process hopefully. It all depends on how my second, third and fourth movie do. In all reality, I have only made one movie that has been released to the world. It all depends on how the world accepts me in those movies to come.
Q. Your next project is Ekta Kapoor's "Ragini MMS 2"? How comfortable are you in the horror genre?
A. Honestly, I loved working on this film. There is a lot of performance in this movie and a huge range of emotions and, of course, horror. I don't mind the idea of not looking pretty in every shot. To me, this is my way of getting out of who I am and becoming someone completely different for the day.
Q. Are you now a full-on Mumbai girl? Have you and your husband settled down in Mumbai?
A. I feel very comfortable living here and it's been the easiest move for he and I. We're very much settled and know the ins and out of Mumbai. I think the day I felt totally comfortable was when I started giving my driver directions.
Q. Have you left your days as an adult star behind? How do you look back on that experience?
A. If it wasn't for my past, I would not be who I am. I am not ashamed of it because it has brought me here to India. If I came here as regular me with no entertainment experience then I would not be as popular as I am today with the public.
Q. How do you react to a director like Anees Bazmi saying he wouldn't want to work with you as he has a family audience to consider?
A. I have no idea what this is all about. But I am very lucky that there are plenty of people that want to work with me.
Q. Is it true your husband Daniel is also seeking a career in Bollywood?
A. My husband is entertaining several opportunities and for information you'll have to ask him.
