By Priyanka Bhadani

How does it feel to be back on a reality TV show?

It’s a really nice feeling, just that this time I am on the other side and observing the contestants. I am watching the drama unfold before my eyes — the things they do and the way they react to a certain situation. It’s fun to watch them.

Do you relate to any of the things happening with the contestants?

The basics of a reality show more or less remains the same. Thus, I relate to a lot of things that is happening with the girls on the show. I understand those feelings of loneliness, missing family and friends. At times, I even talk to them about it. I like to interact with the contestants in order to understand their psyche.

Personally, what is your take on reality shows?

Ohh! I just love watching reality TV series. I think they are fun. In fact, I am addicted to many US-based reality TV shows so much so that I get them recorded, and watch them when I go back.

What do you find interesting about them?

I am really fascinated by human behaviour and the way they react to situations. Also, it’s really interesting to watch people following the daily routine on screen. The way the clothes are selected, how they do their hair, the way they wear their make-up etc. It gives you so much insight on what’s going on in a person’s mind.

Anything in particular that pulled you towards MTV Splitsvilla?

I have grown up watching the US shows on MTV. I am an MTV product. I have always loved what they do. When they approached me to be a part of Splitsvilla, I didn’t have to think much. And it is always good to try new things.

You have, in a way, stepped into Sherlyn Chopra’s shoes as she was the host of the sixth season. Ready for comparisons?

As she has hosted the last season, there’s a possibility that the viewers who have watched the last season may compare me with her. But I am a different person altogether, so I am going to bring in my own individuality in the show. I just love romance. I love that feeling of love in the air. And the comparisons don’t really bother me much.

What is your equation with your co-host Nikhil Chinapa?

Initially, when we met he was very quiet. I was the one who kept blabbering. But gradually, he opened up and now we are having fun while shooting the show. The best part is that I am learning a lot from him. He, being an experienced host, had to teach me a lot. I also observe how he conducts himself when the shoot is on— his body language, the way he interacts with the contestants. Believe it or not, I have learnt a lot in the past few days about reality shows.

How different was it shooting for a reality show?

It’s completely different from shooting for a film. In a film, the shot is already ready when the actor goes on the set. You have the dialogues and script with you. In a reality show, everything is spontaneous. You need to improvise. Besides, while shooting for a film, you can watch it immediately on the screen and do a re-take. But in a reality show, you can’t break the momentum. You have to always be attentive and on your toes. The reactions should also be apt to the situation.

Did you find it difficult to be spontaneous?

Not really. The only thing because of which I got a little worked up was talking in Hindi. But I am improving by the day.

Would you like to do another reality show as a contestant?

It really depends on the concept of the show. But I don’t set limits. If I get to do a show that’s interesting enough, I don’t think I would have an issue taking it up.

Former adult-film star-tuned Bollywood actress Sunny Leone has come a long way in her small stint in the tinsel town. After being accepted with a open heart in Bollywood – Sunny Leone has been lucky to be working in a variety of projects.

First she made her Big Bollywood debut with ‘Jism 2’ where she actually showed off her ‘jism’ and later did a few hit item songs – ‘Laila’, ‘Baby Doll’ , then a successful horror movie ‘ ‘Ragini MMS 2’ and now she is set to make her TV debut as a host with ‘Splitsvilla 7’.

And now reports are that Sunny Leone will apparently take up a royal role, that of a Princess in a film tentatively titled, ‘Leela’.

The first look of the film is out which reveals an enticing looking Sunny Leone seated on a throne in all her royal finery and jewels.

Written-directed by Bobby Khan, ‘Leela’ will be produced by Bhushan Kumar and Ahmed along with Shaira Khan.

‘Hate Story 2’ is already a bold step in terms of content. Now, former adult movie star-turned-Hindi film actress Sunny Leone is set to add extra dose of oomph with her item song “Pink Lips” and the film’s director Vishal Pandya is confident that her presence will help promote the film.

“It’s a very special item song with Sunny Leone, which we will shoot next week. The song is called ‘Pink lips’. It’s a nice dance number and I am sure Sunny will certainly help to promote the film in a big way,” Pandya told IANS.

In terms of boldness, “Hate Story 2” has a lot of steamy love scenes featuring lead pair of Jay Bhanushali and Surveen Chawla.

Pandya’s film is a sequel to 2012 erotic thriller “Hate Story”, which was directed by Vivek Agnihotri and produced by Vikram Bhatt.

The film’s trailer packed with raunchy and titillating sequences hit the web space June 6 and it has already got close to 20,00,000 hits on YouTube.

Pandya admits his creation is bolder than the original movie, which starred Paoli Dam, Gulshan Devaiya and Nikhil Dwivedi.

“The feedback has been great so far. The film is bolder than ‘Hate Story’. I hope the audience accepts the film the same way as ‘Hate Story’ was accepted,” he said.

That actress Sunny Leone will be seen playing a royal princess in her next film, tentatively titled Leela has been confirmed. The film will be produced by Bhushan Kumar, along with choreographer Ahmed Khan and his wife Shaira Khan. To be directed and written by Bobby Khan, the film is expected to be a nine song musical, where Leone will be seen in a princess like avatar. It is a passionate love story, and will be shot extensively in Rajasthan. The crew will then fly to London for another schedule.
Talking about the collaboration, producer Bhushan Kumar of T-Series said, “We are very excited about our next project, Leela. I think it’s an outstanding script. The audience will get to see Sunny Leone in a completely different avatar.”
The film will be promoted as a musical extravaganza. Khan adds, “It will be a very enthusiastic journey, as we produce a dance musical with Sunny as the female lead. I personally believe she is a beautiful actress and we will get to present her in a new way.”

The accuweather app on everybody’s smartphone at Samode Palace, Samode, Rajasthan, shows 43 degrees Celsius. The air is heavy with the promise of rain as the contestants of Splitsvilla 7, a reality television show on MTV India, take their places, their brows beaded with sweat. The production crew takes its position, cameras are switched on in every corner of the courtyard and then Sunny Leone walks in, wearing a red body-con dress, leopard print heels and a big smile. There is no way anybody is looking away from her, no way anybody can. If there is a heat wave in town, she is it.

A few hours later, at a press conference to promote the show, Leone flashes a mega-watt smile at the assembled media and says, “People think they know me. They know the actor, but on this show, they will get to see me as I am. They will get to know me.”

Who is Sunny Leone? Is she the Canadian-American porn star who caused a stir when she entered Indian television screens on Bigg Boss in 2011? The body in 2012’s Jism 2, never mind the plot? The item girl in 2013’s Shootout at Wadala? Or is she “Babydoll” from the song that is on every television channel in the country, and is still playing on every radio station with a vengeance? “I don’t know how to describe the ‘real’ Sunny Leone.

ALSO READ: Sunny Leone: I am not going to shed the ‘sexy’ tag anytime soon

People don’t know that I’m goofy and nerdy, and I might be in this body, but I’m completely different from what people think I am,” says Leone, later during the course of an exclusive interview. But she’s quick to add that the performer that people know and lust after, or shun, is her own creation. “I created that persona. I can’t get away from it, nor do I want to,” she says.

WATCH VIDEO: [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCHyOWW3fGg&w=640&h=315]

Leone’s entry into Bollywood is rather late by industry standards — at 33, she is only a handful of films old, and clutching a host of item numbers. But Karanjit Kaur Vohra has come a long way from Sarnia, a sleepy town in eastern Canada, where she was born in 1981. Much has been written about her life, beginning from her first kiss at 13, to being awarded Penthouse Pet of the Month in March 2001, to starring in porn films since 2005.

“I think there is risk in every form of self expression. You are putting yourself out for the world to judge, even more so in the adult entertainment industry. The biggest risk I took was in facing the backlash from my community, family, and friends,” she says. Her parents only found out about her profession when she won the Penthouse award and it was a while before they accepted her decision. “Both my parents have passed away. I wish they could have seen the work I am doing today,” she says. Her brother, who lives in the US, does not keep up with her releases unless she prods him to watch a project. “I love him, but he doesn’t know what’s going on with my career,” she says.

In an industry that is perceived to be exploitative, Leone has categorically stated that she joined the adult entertainment business of her own accord. She is also an astute businesswoman who has been directing and producing her own adult content under her company SunLust Pictures, maintaining complete control over how she wants to market herself. “I choose to own a production house so I can produce, own, direct and distribute my own content and of others. It was the logical step to take to be successful in the business,” she says.

A Google search in 2011 turned the course of her career. That year, the production team at Viacom in Mumbai was scouting for an adult film actor to feature in the fifth season of Bigg Boss, India’s version of the Big Brother franchise. “From the beginning, the makers of the show wanted an adult film actress in the house. But they knew that the audience may not be ready as yet. By the time we were prepping for season five, it was time,” says Ujjwala Dutt, one of the producers of the show. When they found Leone online, her Indian ethnicity tipped the scales in her favour. While she was unsure about joining the show, there was no denying the opportunity it presented to be introduced to a whole new audience. “My husband and manager Daniel Weber and I talked it through and decided it would be a great chance to explore a new entertainment market,” she says.

“When she came into the house, none of us knew her profession. But Akash Deep Saigal, Pooja Bedi and I took an instant liking to her. Earlier, she’d told us that she was a model, but within a week she confided in us and told us that since we are friends now, she didn’t want to hide anything from us,” says Juhi Parmar, winner, Big Boss 5, and one of Leone’s few friends in Mumbai. “We didn’t get scandalised, we respected her choice of profession and I think, on camera at least, everyone else did too,” she says. Leone’s entry into the show was nothing short of a masterstroke, for her as well as for the producers. And once she disclosed her true identity to the participants, the producers knew they had a cracker of a show on their hands; overnight, thousands of viewers found themselves charmed by Leone’s beauty and equally unsettled by her background.

Before Leone entered the Bigg Boss house, Dutt was assigned to help her get used to India. “She is intelligent and confident and had done her homework. She was never embarrassed of her profession, but said she was done with it and needed a change,” she says. Leone did not have to wait long; Mahesh Bhatt stepped into the Bigg Boss house to offer her Jism 2.

“When I approached Sunny for the film, the who’s who in Bollywood told me that I was committing hara-kiri because India is a ‘traditional’ country and the audience would never accept her. But she was already on the show and viewers didn’t seem to have a problem,” says Bhatt. “Sunny’s success is a marketing coup. She made a smart choice to be a part of successful franchise films like Jism 2 and Ragini MMS 2. She’s not fighting for the traditional Indian heroine’s space,” he says.

In spite of her sex appeal and its commercial success, Jism 2 received lukewarm reviews from critics. There was that successful item number in Shootout at Wadala, but Leone needed something that would give her a chance to really act. Balaji Motion Pictures were looking for an actor who could titillate and scare viewers in equal measure in a sequel to their horror-sex hit Ragini MMS. “Sunny Leone is the opiate of the masses, why not get her, we thought,” says Tanuj Garg, CEO, Balaji Motion Pictures. “She told us that she was scared of horror films. We sent her the DVD of the first film and she was really spooked out. But she loved it and signed up for the sequel,” he says.

Before the release of Ragini MMS 2, Balaji launched a publicity blitzkrieg across several mediums. Leone’s face was on posters everywhere, at the back of autorickshaws, on billboards. In both metros and smaller cities, Leone was a one-woman army who carried the publicity of the film on her shoulders. “No matter where we took her, swarms of people would turn up to see her. Not only is she a pretty face, she has a friendly and charming personality and isn’t stressed out in front of crowds,” says Garg, who compares the crowds to see Leone to be at par with A-list actors.

While the closed-door shoot at Splitsvilla does not accommodate fans, Leone has worked her charms on both the contestants and the crew. “I’ve met a lot of celebrities, they come with an attitude, but Sunny is very down to earth. She’s one of my role models,” says Scarlett Rose, 22, runner-up of Miss Goa 2012 and a bikini model based in Mumbai. “It’s not easy to be a bikini model; people think you’re a porn artist. When I heard that Sunny was hosting the show, I felt that here was somebody who would understand my line of work,” she says.

Parmar feels that Leone’s sexy image is not her only asset. “Sunny is glamorous, beautiful, confident, and dances well. Aren’t these the qualities most A-list stars demonstrated when they first came into the industry? Many learned acting along the way. I’d say it’s the same for Sunny. She’ll get there,” she says. Bhatt remembers her as a dedicated learner who did not leave things to chance and came to the sets with her lines prepared.

In the same vein, Leone has steeled herself against every kind of righteous backlash, whether it was a political party’s opposition to her promotional visit to Indore earlier this year or having her topless pictures at a private party splashed all over the internet. As her fan base grows, there is no room for Leone to be wary of her detractors. “If I cared about what other people thought of me, I wouldn’t be where I am right now.” Did she ever want to bolt? “Yes, of course. Every time I think I’m taking one or two steps forward in the industry, somebody writes the craziest of things. I wouldn’t mind it if they were true, but certain articles make me feel like I’ve moved two steps back,” says Leone.

Industry insiders say Leone mostly keeps to herself without going out of her way to network. She attends very few parties — Ekta Kapoor’s Diwali bash is an exception — and chooses instead to let her American husband negotiate deals on her behalf. He is the front line for all directors, productions and press who want to get in touch with Leone. It’ll still be a while before Leone can command top rates in Bollywood — she makes up to Rs 50 lakh for solo projects like Ragini MMS 2, while endorsements bring home about Rs 30-40 lakh — but the two have a definite idea about how to build brand Leone.

Together, they make calculated efforts to straddle new opportunities in a way that does not alienate her existing fan base. “We discuss what is best for brand Sunny, so we can find a medium that satisfies both her fans and her,” says Weber, a musician and actor himself. Weber and Leone had a fairytale romance, with the former courting Leone for months for a first date. Now, Weber, who has a rock band, The Disparrows, jets between Los Angeles and Mumbai to accommodate their career plans.

It’s after midnight and Leone has been shooting for one of the elimination rounds at Splitsvilla 7 for the past four hours. Copious tears are shed, words are exchanged, farewell speeches end reluctantly. Under the harsh lights of the set, Leone appears subdued. Gone is the coquette from the previous afternoon as she attempts to lighten the mood on the set by pulling faces and offering her dinner to anybody who likes risotto. But there is little time to waste. The next shoot is scheduled to start in four hours and Leone wants to brush up on her pop-psychology before that. “Since I began shooting for this show, I’ve been reading a book about the science behind peoples’ minds so I can figure out why the contestants do weird things,” she says.

When the schedule ends, Leone will return to Mumbai to shoot for the final scenes of Tina and Lolo, an action film with Karishma Tanna. “I think exploring different avenues is important than staying in one genre,” she says, whipping out her iPhone to show a picture of herself as Leela, a modern-day tribal princess. “Leela is the first movie I’m doing in an Indian avatar. Then, I have Mastizaade, an adult comedy by Milap Zaveri, and Patel Rap, a comedy with Ram Kapoor. I know people are going to wonder what Ram and I are doing in a film together but I’m really excited about it,” says Leone.

In spite of her recent success, Leone has confessed to feeling judged by Indian viewers but considers it a hazard that showbiz poses: “Over time, I think the Indian audience will understand that I am a person with emotions. I am here to be creative and entertain, and that is what I am doing. Like me or hate me, the choice will always be theirs.”

Former adult film star-turned-Bollywood-actress Sunny Leone is back in her sultry avatar in the teaser from ‘Hate Story 2’ special number ‘Pink Lips’.

Sunny Leone seductively moves around in the video showing off her pink lips and a sensuous pout.

The song is a special number in Vikram Bhatt’s upcoming thriller ‘Hate Story 2’, which marks the Bollywood debut of television actors Jay Bhanushali and Surveen Chawla.

The film has already become the talk of the town thanks to its explicit trailer, which got got close to 20,00,000 hits on YouTube. Sunny Leone’s sensual number in the film is only the silver lining.

The song is composed by Meet Bros Anjjan, who have previously worked with Sunny Leone in ‘Ragini MMS 2’ hot number ‘Baby Doll’.

The film’s director Vishal Pandya is confident that Sunny Leone’s presence will help promote the film. “It’s a nice dance number and I am sure Sunny will certainly help to promote the film in a big way,” Vishal Pandya had said.

Vishal Pandya’s film is a sequel to 2012 erotic thriller “Hate Story”, which was directed by Vivek Agnihotri and produced by Vikram Bhatt.

After stealing the show with ‘Baby Doll’, adult film star turned actress Sunny Leone is back with another item number ‘Pink Lips’ from the film ‘Hate Story 2’.

Sunny Leone, who was roped in for a special song by ‘Hate Story 2’ team, looks ravishing. The actress is back in her sultry avatar, seductively moving around in the video showing off her pink lips and a sensuous pout.

But the song doesn’t look like a winner and especially ‘Pink lips, pink lips’ is irritating when it is repeated twice or thrice in the song.

The song is for Vikram Bhatt’s upcoming thriller ‘Hate Story 2′, which marks the Bollywood debut of television actors Jay Bhanushali and Surveen Chawla.

The film has already become the talk of the town for its explicitly erotic trailer. Sunny Leone’s sensual number in the film is only the silver lining.

The song is composed by Meet Bros Anjjan, who have previously worked with Sunny Leone in ‘Ragini MMS 2′ hot number ‘Baby Doll’.

Watch Sunny Leone’s ‘Pink Lips’:

Actress Sunny Leone is all set to walk the ramp for Sumit Sawhney’s jewellery brand Apala by Sumit at the India International Jewellery Week (IIJW). She will wear his latest collection – The Royal Tribe – and don the avatar of a tribal queen for it.

The “Jism 2” actress feels thrilled to be the showstopper for Apala by Sumit at IIJW.

“For the first time, I am going to experiment with my look completely and turn into a royal tribal queen, which will be a paradigm shift from my image. It’s going to make me feel inherently royal and rustic,” Sunny said in a statement.

“I find the jewellery pieces so alluring and enticing that I would be the happiest person to possess the collection,” she added.

“Apala” means the “most beautiful” in Sanskrit and the collection with 22 carat gold layering incorporates the richness of the royalty and the audacity and rugged styling of the tribals.

“It will be all about conviction, and a look that screams lavishness,” said Sumit.

Indo-Canadian adult film actress Sunny Leone, who is currently enjoying her Bollywood journey, will be the showstopper for jewellery brand ‘Apala by Sumit’ on the first day of the forthcoming edition of the India International Jewellery Week (IIJW), starting July 14.

The actress says she is excited to become a “royal tribal queen” on the ramp.

“I am very thrilled and privileged to be the showstopper for Apala by Sumit at IIJW. For the first time I am going to experiment with my look completely and turn into a royal tribal queen which will be a paradigm shift from my image,” the “Ragini MMS 2” fame actress, said in a statement.

“It’s going to make me feel inherently royal and rustic. I find the jewellery pieces so alluring and enticing that I would be the happiest person to possess the collection,” she added.

Jewellery designer Sumit Sawhney, who is behind the brand, says the collection will be “an evolution” by fusing the tribal and the royal styles.

“Apala means the ‘most beautiful’ in Sanskrit. This exquisite silver jewellery collection with 22-carat gold layering incorporates the richness of the royalty and the audacity and rugged styling of the tribals.

“This collection will have the finesse and the preferred gemstones of the crowned heads and the whimsical character of the tribal roots. It will be all about conviction, and a look that screams lavishness,” said the designer.

The brand’s creations have earlier been adorned by celebrities like Deepika Padukone, Vidya Balan, Shraddha Kapoor, Mugdha Godse, Lara Dutta and Lisa Haydon.

Bollywood ‘Baby Doll’ Sunny Leone-starrer song “Pink lips” is turning out to be a chartbuster, and her fluid moves in the number have already managed to attract over one million views for the video on YouTube.

The song’s video was uploaded on the online platform July 2. It features Sunny grooving to the beats of the song, composed by Meet Brothers and choreographed by Uma-Gaiti.

The choreographers were under pressure to deliver something bigger and better than “Baby doll”, and made sure Sunny gave her best shot to the new song, which is a promotional track for the movie “Hate story 2”. But they’re excited with the response.

“It’s been an absolute pleasure to put ‘Pink lips’ together. We choreographed ‘Baby doll’ with Sunny, so with ‘Pink lips’, the process got easier. We had a better tuning this time. ‘Pink lips’ was a huge challenge as it was being pitted against ‘Baby doll’,” the duo said in a statement.

“Hate Story 2” will release July 18.

After declining ‘Ragini MMS 2’ and ‘Tina and Lolo’,  Richa Chadha has now turned down ‘Mastizaade.’ Interestingly, all movies feature Indo-Canadian adult film star and Bollywood actress Sunny Leone, but Richa says ‘it’s a mere co-incidence’.  ‘Mastizaade‘ is a sex comedy by Milap Zaveri.

“My team and I felt that I shouldn’t be a part of a sex comedy at this point in time. I have all the respect for Sunny Leone and the fact that this is the third project I have had to decline with Sunny in the star cast is just a mere co-incidence,” Richa Chadda told IANS.

Richa Chadda, who has earned critical acclaim by starring in unique roles in movies like ‘Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye’ and ‘Gangs Of Wasseypur, is now gearing up for the release of five of her films.

It’s not that she desired to stick to her serious image alone. It recently emerged that the actress wishes to be part of Hindi movies’ song and dance routines too.

Actress Sunny Leone was awed by the ‘breathtaking designs’ that she flaunted at the India International Jewellery Week (IIJW) as the showstopper of Sumit Sawhney‘s jewellery brand Apala by Sumit here.

Adorned in exquisite hand-crafted jewellery, Sunny stole the show as she sashayed down the ramp wearing a Hasli with Victorian elements and gold claws, which added a tribal touch to her look.

She also flaunted a bold calf-piece, and even a back-piece, which was a wreath embellished with Jade, cascading on the actress’ back. She also wore earrings, cufflinks and head-pieces.

“Sumit’s jewellery has so much creativity and finesse. Apala was a break from the usual bling on stage. I was awed by its breathtaking designs. The back pieces were very different and spectacular. I absolutely loved the entire set he designed for me,” Sunny said post the show held Monday night.

The show was called The Royal Tribe, an amalgamation of the royal and tribal elements.

Sawhney said: “My line, by combining the tribal and the royal, ventures forth into a territory that was yet to be explored. My collection captures the true essence of the two, coalescing it into a beautiful synthesis.”

The ensembles for the show, labeled Meraki, were designed by Delhi-based designer Atithi Gupta. Sunny, along with other models, dazzled in shimmer and cotton gowns.

Actress Sunny Leone is juggling between different Bollywood films, dance numbers in the southern movie world and brushing up her Hindi skills. On a career high, the Indo-Canadian talent says she’s here to stay.

In an interview, she has spoken about her new projects and about her journey in the Hindi film industry.

Excerpts from the interview:

Q. All of a sudden there is a lot happening in your career. How do you feel about this sudden surge of activity?

A. Well, to me it’s beyond a surge. It’s complete insanity, everything that is happening. I am so unbelievably happy about everything that is going on. Happy to be working and happy people are showing so much support.

Q. Interestingly Bobby Khan’s film casts you as an exotic princess and would not be focused on your physicality. Does this shift in Bollywood’s attitude towards you, please you?

A. I don’t know about shift. This is just a different type of movie from what I have been cast for in the past. I believe that every movie should be different and I’m extremely excited about how this movie unfolds.

Q. What do you play in the Pritish Nandy production?

A. I am not allowed to discuss the details of this movie yet. All I can tell you is that it will be someone that people have never seen from me.

Q. Have you been able to improve your Hindi? When would you be able to dub your own lines?

A. Yes, I can dub but it comes down to the producer and how they feel about it. We shall see.

Q. When we last spoke, you were keen on avoiding item songs. What made you accept “Pink Lips”?

A. I never avoid anything. It’s about the right opportunity coming your way. I have a great relationship with T-Series and when they asked me, I said ‘yes’ based on my relationship with them and also the song was a killer.

Q. You are also doing a song or two in South Indian films?

A. Yes, I am and am having a blast doing it. It’s very different from Bollywood.

Q. Your next release “Tina and Lolo” is a girl-bonding film. How did you get along with your co-star Karishma Tanna?

A. I love her. She is a complete doll and so much fun to work with. We both have a lot of good memories together shooting.

Q. It’s been three years since you made Bollywood your home. What have you learnt about the Indian entertainment industry during this time?

A. I have learned so much in a very short time I don’t know where to begin.

Q. Have you finally made some friends here?

A. I definitely have made some friends and I will be friends with them for the rest of my life.

Q. Do you feel you have finally left your earlier career as an adult film actress behind?

A. Yes I do.

Q. Do you feel you are finally a part of Bollywood?

A. I feel a part of my fans more and yes, Bollywood too. I’m here and want to stay.

New-age queens

Bollywood’s obsession with its heroes is well documented. The industry has grown up believing that women can’t make a poster or sell a movie.

This year, the myth was shattered. Be it Dedh Ishqiya’s sassy Munira, the troubled Veera of Highway, Hasee Toh Phasee’s misfit genius Meeta, Sunny Leone in Ragini MMS 2 or Rani, the Queen, the year belongs to our pataka guddis. In Queen, we also met up with free-spirited Bohemian single mom Vijaylakshmi, who is fearless and unapologetic about her choices. She has wild dance moves, hysterical outbursts and a penchant for belching when she’s drunk. Gotta love a girl like that.

Rise of the planet of the young

The biggest hits of the season — Ek Villain and Two States — do not star a 40-plus star whose last name is Khan. Instead, Sidharth Malhotra, Riteish Deshmukh and Arjun Kapoor entered the Rs 100-crore-club in style. Varun Dhawan’s Main Tera Hero, Tiger Shroff’s Heropanti and the Ranveer Singh-Arjun Kapoor starrer, Gunday, also clicked. Interestingly, even though compared to the first half of 2013, business dropped about 8 per cent this year, the industry seems pleased that the audience has given its approval to younger heroes. The young ones are putting up a big fight with the big daddies. Sure, Akshay Kumar’s Holiday and Salman Khan’s Jai Ho also made money, but it was a whimper of a profit rather than the expected bang. The change is here, folks.

Reality bites

Bollywood dared to tell bigger stories but toned down the telling. The big and the gaudy made way for the personal and the minimalistic. In Highway, Imtiaz Ali used a road trip to underline a kidnapped girl’s journey of self-discovery that enables her to confront the monster who abused her as a child. Abhishek Chaubey’s Dedh Ishqiya kept it subtle but the lesbian undertones added the dedh to the Ishq. Filmistaan married Bollywood with the India-Pakistan issue. In Queen, a jilted bride goes solo on her honeymoon to Paris and finds herself. Then there was Hawaa Hawaai, which asked tough questions about social inequality and aspirations, wherein a young chaiwalla wants to fly on his rollerblades, just like Krrish.

Babydoll sone di

The song might have made Sunny Leone a legit Bollywood star but Ekta Kapoor owns the words. As the busiest producer on the circuit, Ekta made a killing of all her four films — Shaadi Ke Side Effects, Main Tera Hero, Ragini MMS 2, Ek Villain — and proved that she’s the asli sone di babydoll. On screen, we got ourselves a new sweetheart and she goes by the name of Alia Bhatt. Karan Johar’s protégée wisely dropped her Kareena Kapoor-Pooh hangover and graduated with top honours in Highway and Two States. Low on affectations, Alia’s naturalness is refreshing. The camera clearly loves her. She has a certain je ne sais quoi and looks fetching with her co-stars. The woman is here to stay and it will be worth seeing how she picks her next few acting assignments. Parineeti Chopra and Deepika Padukone better watch out.
 
Conspiracy theories

Everyone in Bollywood has a theory. Many times they have a theory on that theory, too. The best gossip goes unpublished because there is no way to verify it. The season’s biggest conspiracy theory surrounded Salman Khan’s Jai Ho. The film’s collections were underwhelming by Salman standards but trade tattlers don’t think it had anything to do with the film. If you believe the theorists, Jai Ho lost out because of the unforgettable photo-op of Salman flying kites with Narendra Modi. Some self-confessed B-town experts believe Salman’s bonhomie with Modi hurt his Muslim fans. While there is no empirical way to judge a star’s audience base, it is generally believed that among the Khan triumvirate, the Muslim community has always felt closer to Salman than to Aamir and Shah Rukh. Salman’s Muslim fans affectionately call him “Bhai” and the superstar returns their love by blocking Eid for his mega release — think back to Wanted, Dabangg, Ready, Bodyguard, Ek Tha Tiger, which were all blockbusters. While Salman has rubbished these claims, it has to be noted that the entire marketing vibe of his upcoming Kick is about him coming to take the Eidi of his audience. Kick’s makers have also incorporated a celebratory song titled “Jumme ki raat” to pump up the Eid release.

Making amends?

Heroes and villains

After the debacle of Himmatwala and the critical mauling of Humshakals, Sajid Khan still can’t catch a break. Riteish’s stature as a leading man is gaining more cred while Saif Ali Khan’s chips need to be resuscitated. Rajkummar Rao is the new Nawazuddin Siddiqui. Sidharth has the kind of charming dreamy screen presence that would make Shashi Kapoor proud. We’ve had a bit much of Madhuri Dixit. Kamaal R. Khan (KRK)’s reviews are the only reviews that really matter. Even A.R. Rahman can be average. If Highway was brilliant, Lekar Hum Deewana Dil was not even passable. We have a hero called Tiger and a heroine called Sunny, and they have both delivered hits.

harneet.singh@expressindia.com

Sunny Leone will play a rebellious woman in Tera Beimaan Love. Confirming this, her husband-cum-manager Daniel Webber said that Sunny has signed the film that will be directed by journalist-cum-film-maker Rajeev Chaudhari. It will go on the floors in early 2015. The intense drama will be made under the banner of Avanti Films.
Sunny will also be seen in Tina and Lolo, Patel Rap and Leela besides a few regional projects.

Yo Yo Honey Singh croons Ata majhi satakli for Singham Returns

Yo Yo Honey Singh has lent his voice to the song, Ata majhi satakli for the Ajay Devgn-Kareena Kapoor Khan starrer, Singham Returns. The promotional song that features the lead pair and Singh is a fun number and will be shot over three days on a huge set in Mumbai. It will also have 100 children participating in the song that is choreographed by Ganesh Acharya.

Former adult film star turned Bollywood actress Sunny Leone, who recently grooved to songs in a Tamil and well as Telugu film, is currently shooting for an item number for upcoming Kannada film ‘DK’. She will be seen in an out-and-out folk number.

The song featuring Sunny is called “Seshamma seshamma”. “She has been shooting with us for the last three days at a set specially erected for the song. We are likely to finish shooting the song today (Monday). It’s a folk song and audiences are sure going to enjoy seeing Sunny groove to it,” a source from the film’s unit told IANS.

“We’ve been shooting the song secretly as we didn’t want Sunny Leone’s presence in the city to attract public attention,” the source added.

‘DK’, which is directed by Udaya Prakash, features Prem in the lead role.

Sunny Leone was recently seen in a special song for Tamil film ‘Vadacurry’,  while she also completed shooting an item number for upcoming Telugu film ‘Current Theega’ as well.

Actress Sunny Leone has commenced shooting of her next film ‘Mastizaade’, which is being directed by Milap Zaveri.

The 33-year-old ‘Ragini MMS 2’ star will be seen opposite Tushar Kapoor and Vir Das in the sex comedy.

“Morning! First day of ‘Mastizaade’ and starting with one of the most hilarious scenes. Nothing like going all for it on day 1. I am so excited about the film,” the three-film-old actress posted on Twitter.

‘Mastizaade’ has been produced by Pritish Nandy.

Sunny made her Bollywood debut with Pooja Bhatt’s ‘Jism 2’ and has also starred in ‘Jackpot’ and Ekta Kapoor’s ‘Ragini MMS2’, besides doing item songs in several movies.