With curves to die for and a winning smile, Sunny Leone has successfully won many a hearts in India, owning to her successful Bollywood career, which seems to be steadily soaring. What makes Sunny’s story so unique, is the fact that she hails from an adult-film background. The actress has never shied away from her past. Here’s a look at her Bollywood journey.
Sunny Leone was studying to be a pediatric nurse in Orange County, when she got an opportunity to pose for adult magazine Penthouse. She later delved into full-time pornography, sometimes producing her own films.
Sunny Leone first forayed into Indian showbiz when she turned red carpet reporter in 2005 for the MTV Awards on MTV India. But the former adult-actress made her acquaintance with the television audience in 2011, when she participated in reality show, ‘Bigg Boss’.
It was during her stay in the house, that Sunny Leone was approached by filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, who offered her the lead in ‘Jism 2’. Though, Leone had been extended offers to appear in Bollywood films, the actress was not entirely comfortable. However, she accepted Mahesh Bhatt’s offer and it was with ‘Jism 2’, that we first got a taste of Sunny Leone.
Playing the role of a porn star in the film, Sunny set the screen ablaze along with co-star Randeep Hooda. Unfortunately, the erotic thriller opened to mixed reviews, having a disappointing run at the Box Office. The skin show and so-called erotica failed to strike a connect with audiences.
Sunny Leone then played a femme fatale in Kaizad Gustad’s comedy thriller, ‘Jackpot’ along with Naseeruddin Shah, Sachiin Joshi and Bharath. Despite grand expectations, ‘Jackpot’ was commercial and critical failure at the Box Office. But the diva did not lose hope, knowing that better things were coming her way.
In early 2014, Sunny Leone scorched screens when she played herself, a former porn star, in Bhushan Patel’s erotic-thriller, ‘Ragini MMS 2’. Leone along with newbie Saahil Prem, played the lead characters in a continuation of the plot from the prequel.
‘Ragini MMS 2’ had a great opening day with the film making almost Rs 8 crores and Rs 24 crores on the weekend. Having received good reviews, the film collected a total of Rs 47 crores in three weeks, which is considered to be a boon for films belonging to the erotic-thriller genre.
It was ‘Ragini MMS 2’ that made audiences as well as members from the film industry stand up and take notice of Sunny Leone. Critics finally concluded that though she didn’t exactly deliver an Oscar-worthy performance, Sunny was more than just a dressed-up desirable doll. The actress also featured in the superhit song ‘Babydoll’ from the film. It became an instant chartbuster and is popular even a whole year after the film’s release.
Sunny Leone’s last release was ‘Ek Paheli Leela’, where she played pure royalty. Directed by Bobby Khan, the film also stars Jay Bhanushali, Rajneesh Duggal and Mohit Ahlawat among others.
In ‘Kuch Kuch Locha Hai’ with Ram Kapoor, she played the role of a Bollywood star who is likely to marry an older married man, who is still very much a player.
Here’s wishing Sunny Leone a very happy birthday.