Birthday girl Sunny Leone feels blessed for her happy childhood, teenage memories, loving parents and a husband she considers to be her real gift of life. She’s grateful for her Bollywood success too of course, and in this interview, the actress spills the beans on the years gone by and those yet to come.
Q: How are you bringing in your birthday?
Sunny Leone: In the best way possible, with my family in New York City. I can't think of a better way to spend the day.
Q: What is your most cherished memory of your birthdays as a child?
Sunny Leone: My mother would always bake me a cake for my birthdays. For one of my birthdays she baked me a Barbie cake. That’s every girl’s dream. I remember my 13th birthday. All my school friends came for a party. I got a tape of my favourite music bands and other fun gifts. I had the most loving parents who showered me with love on my birthday. I missed them the most on my birthday. I think of them everyday.
Q: What are the best birthday gifts you've ever received?
Sunny Leone: My husband Daniel is my most precious gift of life. And he brings me the gifts that I like. A few years ago on my birthday he had gifted me a diamond and emerald necklace which he got specially designed for me. I feel blessed to have a husband who heaps me with gifts. We’ve been together for eight years now. We’ve been married for six years. Our love hasn’t diminished.
Q: What is the recipe for your successful marriage?
Sunny Leone: Beyond being my husband and lover he is my best friend. We’ve seen the best of times and the worst of times together. I can consult him about anything, any problem. He is always there for me. I can lean on him for anything, no matter how silly. We met in Las Vegas. He was based in New York. I didn’t think at that time that anything would come of our relationship because we lived in different cities. But Daniel doesn’t give up easily. He bombarded me with flowers, chocolates and gifts all over the world, wherever I happened to be. He would fly in from anywhere in the world to meet me.
Daniel makes it possible for me to just be me without worrying about anything. He is the only person in this whole world who has my best interest at heart, every second of the day and one of the huge reasons for where I am today. He is the one who sat with me in making the decision to come go on the Bigg Boss show.
Q: How do you like being part of Bollywood?
Sunny Leone: Very honestly it’s like a dream come true. I’ve been getting so much love from my fans all over the world. More than anything else, it’s their love that has made it all happen. It makes me extremely happy that people are interested in me. I work very hard and am extremely dedicated to my job. Contrary to what some people say or think, I know my fans are there for me. I love making movies and am happy that I have the opportunity. I think it's endearing that fans love me, which is why I probably drive my bodyguards and husbands nuts, never saying no to a photo. I never imagined this life for myself and I am grateful for it. It still amazes me when I look out my window in Mumbai, that I live and work here. It's crazy, I left everything behind me for Bollywood.
Q: How is 2017 treating you?
Sunny Leone: It’s been a great year so far, as always, filled with new ventures and new opportunities.
Q: The year started with a bang with your item song in Raees. Were you happy with the reaction to the number?
Sunny Leone: I was overwhelmed by the response. It was more then I could ever imagine. You can only dream of having one such song in a lifetime to perform in a film and at concerts, and I feel I have been blessed for this with quite a few song a from Babydoll to Laila.
Q: We recently saw you in Noor playing yourself in a cameo. What made you do that cameo?
Sunny Leone: When I heard about the cameo it was easy to say ‘yes’. I wanted to work with Sonakshi Sinha and however big or small the role was, it didn't matter to me. I think she is a great woman and the opportunity to work with her was all I wanted.
Q: How do you see your career at this point of time?
Sunny Leone: I see my career as something that evolves everyday, every week and every month. There is something new happening all the time and I’m very grateful for that. I believe we are building something bigger, then me and that the brand will be around for sometime.
Q: How do you handle the haters? Do you allow yourself to be affected by trolls and abusers?
Sunny Leone: I actually don't really care about trolls. There will always be haters but the nice thing about social media is you can block them. Then I don’t have to see what they are writing. People who hate are usually in envy of you or lacking something in life to fulfil them (laughs gently)
Q: Are you looking at doing more films or consolidating your position in other ways?
Sunny Leone: My next film is called Tera Intezaar and it’s with Arbaaz Khan. The only thing I am looking for is to do great projects. I will be producing films in the near future as well.
Q: Interestingly, you and Priyanka Chopra have both made careers in Bollywood and the US, though moving in opposite directions. Is there a sense of bonding with Priyanka?
Sunny Leone: We have met a couple times and I think what she has done in the US is remarkable. I am sure it’s not been easy for her. Always nice to see hard work pay off.
Q: Do you think Bollywood gives enough space and respect to female actors?
Sunny Leone: I think if you command respect around you, people will treat you with respect.
(The love of Lata Mangeshkar's voice and Hindi movies - in that order - has propelled Subhash K Jha to the pursuit of journalism for over 30 years.)
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