Sunny Leone was Karenjit Kaur Vohra’s brother’s nickname! Browse through for a heart-to-heart with the ’Mastizaade’ girl.
Birthday: May 13
Place of birth: Sarnia, Canada
Sun sign: Taurus
Hometown: Sarnia
School/college: Too many to list here
Low point of your life: The death of my parents
High point of your life: Getting married
Currently I am... starring in Mastizaade, and gearing up for the launch of my own perfume, Lust
How did the dorky Karenjit Kaur Vohra turn into Sunny Leone?
When I was seven years old, I would go door to door, selling candy to raise money for my sports team. I’ve set up lemonade stands and shovelled snow. So, in a sense, I’ve always been independent. I saw the adult film industry as a business opportunity and just went for it.
How did you come up with a name like Sunny Leone?
It was my brother’s nickname. I used it in an interview and it stuck. I didn’t know that I would become who I am today or I’d have chosen a different name.
What was growing up in Canada like?
Looking back, I remember being busy with studies and sports.
Your favourite memory.
My mother cooking lasagna and my dad, my brother and I helping her.
The first Bollywood film you watched.
I remember Dil (1990). My mother and I loved it. We’d cry when Aamir Khan would cry.
You’re an Aamir fan, and he recently said he would love to work with you.
I don’t see it as a real possibility until it actually happens. But I’m always going to dream about it.
One rumour about you that you wish was true.
That I am cast in a Karan Johar film. That is every actor’s dream.
A fictional character you identify with
Jessica Rabbit from Who Framed Roger Rabbit? (1988). She’s sexy but misunderstood
The most Punjabi thing about you.
All things food, including cooking, and my c’est la vie attitude. Punjabis tackle things head on.
Three people (dead or alive) that you’d like to invite to dinner.
Marilyn Monroe, because she is such an icon. The Dalai Lama... I want to ask him the secret to a happy soul. And my parents, so I can see their faces again and hear them say ‘I love you’ to me one more time.
How do you unwind?
I listen to music, or paint. I love to paint abstracts in mixed media. But I’m not too confident and only my friends and family have seen them.
One thing society needs to know about porn stars.
That they are human.
You dated Russell Peters. What’s he like?
He is a nice human being and an old friend. We probably should have just stayed friends. His shows leave me in splits.
How do you tackle the nasty questions thrown at you with such grace?
I am used to facing different kinds of ugliness, and [a recent interview] was just another instance. I don’t believe in yelling or name calling. Instead, I wait till the other person is done and then answer to the best of my ability.
Do you think not having a sob story has been a disadvantage?
Not at all. I believe in myself and who I am. I’ve made all my decisions by myself, and I stand by them whether they were right or wrong. I don’t have any regrets. I do learn from my mistakes, though.
As an insider now, how do you view Bollywood?
I’m still not an insider. But in the last six months, many people have come forward and spoken to me in person or on social media. That feels quite awesome.
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My favourites:
Song: Sorry by Justin Bieber
Movie: The Goonies (1985)
Actor: Johnny Depp
Designer: Alexander McQueen
From HT Brunch, January 31, 2016
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