Sunny Leone: Disclosing personal details about relationships was hard
A biopic series based on the life of the porn-star turned-actress Sunny Leone, Karenjit Kaur, is directed by Aditya Datt and co-stars Raj Arjun, Karamvir Lamba and many others
Following the success of the first season of Karenjit Kaur, Sunny Leone has high expectations from the second season which premiered on ZEE5 on September 18. A biopic series based on the life of the porn-star turned-actress Sunny Leone, Karenjit Kaur, is directed by Aditya Datt and co-stars Raj Arjun, Karamvir Lamba, Bijay Jasjit Anand, Grusha Kapoor and Marc Buckner. Murtaza Ali Khan interviews her.
Q. What made you say ‘yes’ to a ZEE5 original? Would you have preferred a feature length instead?
A. I like the idea that a web series offers a greater scope. Perhaps a feature film wouldn’t have allowed us to cover the story in the same capacity. Also, a lot of other production houses wanted to make serious changes to the script so as to focus on one particular aspect of my life rather than doing justice to the whole of it.
Q. It seldom happens that an actor gets to essay oneself. What are your thoughts on playing yourself?
A. Believe me, it was a lot more challenging than it may seem. I mean it’s the story of my life and I know what it is but it was quite tough emotionally. It still is as I often find it difficult to keep a lid on my emotions. But I am happy that I got to tell the story of my life and so I can’t really complain.
Q. How comfortable were you while disclosing the difficult aspects of your tender relationship with your alcoholic mother and disenchanted father?
A. I sat with a writer for about six months. His name is Karan Sharma. He is a writer on both the seasons. There were hours and hours of questions and answers and it just went on and on. Disclosing the personal details about relationships was really the hardest part about it. This story is filled with emotional moments and nostalgia.
“it was a lot more challenging than it may seem. I mean it’s the story of my life and I know what it is but it was quite tough emotionally”
Q. Karenjit Kaur takes us through different phases of your life. What exactly did you do to look different while playing your younger version in the series?
A. A lot of credit goes to my makeup man for making me look a lot younger. Also, the way it was written it automatically brings you back to that time based on the dialogue and situation. You see, it’s a real story and not something that I made up.
Q. The first season ends with your entry into the world of adult entertainment. What can we expect in the second season?
A. The first season used an interview structure to take the story forward but the second season will follow a different approach. The second ends with me landing in India and so Bollywood is yet to come. As of now the third season hasn’t been confirmed but I am definitely not opposed to the idea and so it all depends on how the second season is received by the audiences.
Q. The first season of Karenjit Kaur got embroiled in a major controversy regarding the use of the ‘Kaur’ surname in the title. What are your thoughts on the entire episode?
A. It’s my name that was given to me by my parents. I cannot change who I am. It’s what is on my passport. And it’s a name and I don’t think it should reflect anything else.
Q. How do you reflect upon your journey so far? What has been your biggest achievement so far?
A. I have grown a lot since I have gotten here. Personally, I think my daughter Nisha is one of the most amazing achievements ever in my life. She is just like an angel from God. Professionally, a couple of songs I did were really defining moments like ‘Baby Doll’ and ‘Laila Main Laila’. Also, Karenjit Kaur for me is definitely a turning point.
Q. You are a proud mother to three children, daughter Nisha and sons Noah and Asher. How has motherhood changed your life?
A. Motherhood is probably the best chapter of my life so far. My kids are so beautiful and amazing. But they are so small and so these days I often have to do a lot of laundry and cleaning. I am making their baby albums right now and so I am looking at their old pictures and how they looked. Every single day with them is like the greatest moment.
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