Jio MAMI 2023 | Sunny Leone: ‘Anurag and I share an emotional connect over things that have happened in our past’

Sunny Leone in Cannes, France, in May.

Sunny Leone, whose real name is Karenjit Kaur was the most searched name on the internet for many years. Her Bollywood debut with Pooja Bhatt's thriller Jism 2 (2012) was no less sensational. But the actor didn’t stop at successful movies or superhit songs. Leone went on to launch her cosmetics line Star Stuck and even adopted a girl child in 2017.

For now the Ragini MMS 2 (2014) actor is most excited about her movie Kennedy with director Anurag Kashyap and her soon-to-be launched skincare line. Edited excerpts from an interview:

Sunny Leone's real name is Karenjit Kaur.

Your movie Kennedy is due for release soon. How do you feel?

I always knew I could be a part of a serious film that doesn’t overtly rely on sensuality. Of course, my character Charlie in Kennedy is beautiful, sensuous, glamourous and all but it’s about the way it is shot. It was nice to once pull out of my comfort zone. I really hope people like the film and I get to do more films where I can explore more. Going to Cannes Film Festival for the premiere this year was beyond my wildest dreams.

The film got a 7-minute standing ovation at the Cannes festival.

That was unbelievable. It was my first time at the Cannes. I had never attended a film premiere or even walked the red carpet for a brand. I have been to some other film festivals but Cannes is a celebration of filmmaking on a different level. The head of the film festival greets you, walks you to your seat and you watch the film with thousands of other people. At the end, they all stand up and clap for you. After Kennedy's premiere, the clapping just didn’t stop. The longer that it went on, the more emotional we all got. It was such a beautiful moment.

How was it working with Anurag Kashyap?

It was amazing. Anurag and I share a great friendship and an emotional connect over things that have happened in our past. I understand him and he understands me without always having to say much. It’s a nice feeling to be able to connect to someone like that. It was also great to see things from a different perspective. Anurag has a particular style and people really enjoy that.

Not many know that you are also a serial entrepreneur with investments in a clothing line, cosmetic brand, production company and crypto, among other things. How did all that happen?

I always knew I wanted to be a businesswoman, even when I was barely 12-13 years old. I would take my brother Sandeep to shovel snow and then go buy a candy with the dollar I earned. I grew up in a very humble and conservative home where my parents gave us what we needed, not what we wanted. What we wanted only came on special days like our birthday or Christmas. So, I knew I had to be independent and make my own money which didn’t help my cause. I was considered a rebel at home. I didn’t know how or what but I knew I was good at converting a quarter into a dollar. As time went by, things became clearer.

I launched Star Struck when I realised that no other brand was going to sign me for a cosmetic deal. I wasn’t going to get that perfume ad. All those things were not going to just land in my lap the same way as it does for everybody else because of my past. So, I turned to my husband one day and said “why can’t we just launch our own fragrance. It can’t be that hard. We know everybody we need to know.” My husband has this God-given talent for business. Thankfully, our first fragrance did very, very well.

Then, you launched the make-up line.

When I first started buying make-up, I could not afford it. I never understood why they gave me only two eyeshadows for $10! It was an over-the-counter product which didn’t even go well on my face. It was very frustrating as you can’t return make-up after it’s used. So, I wanted to bring in a line with good quality pigments, whose packaging doesn’t fall apart as soon as you bring it home and, most importantly, something that is affordable.

I have even put together a make-up look book with Looks Salon. All you have to do is walk into a Looks Salon anywhere in India, choose a look and have it recreated on you using Star Struck products.

You have flawless skin. What’s your skincare routine?

Growing up, I used to look at girls with great skin and think ‘how do they get their face looking like butter? What are they doing?” When you are young, it takes a little while to figure out a regime that works for you and doesn’t make you break out or make your skin too dry. Before makeup, I wash my face and put on a hydrating spray. I follow it up with a serum and a moisturiser with SPF. These days I have also started using a roller and a machine that helps activate the facial muscles and improve blood circulation. Then I start my make-up. In the night, I make sure to wash everything off and put on some night cream and an under eye cream.

How do you manage your time between your businesses, acting assignments, production firm and being a mom to three children?

It’s tough. But I am a very hand’s-on mom. I don’t want my kids to be raised by nannies. Daniel and I are outnumbered. It’s three against two. We schedule our entire day around our kids. I get them ready and drop them to school before I go to work. In the evening, I sit with them for their homework. Yesterday, I had to make a vampire mystery box for Halloween while helping Nisha with her spelling homework and reading a 12-page-book with Asher. Noah was reading at the table and calling ‘mama mama’ every two seconds.

What next for you?

I have two Tamil films coming up. On the business front, we have been testing a skincare line of face creams, body lotions, eye creams, serums and scrubs. They are now ready and will be launching in the next six to eight months. Right now, we are working on ways to ‘disrupt’ the market (laughs).