Sunny Leone: I don't mind the idea of not looking pretty

After the success of her first Hindi film Jism 2, Sunny Leone is looking at a full-blown Bollywood career, and has already moved on to her next project. The actress also plans to buy a home in Mumbai so that she can settle down.

She talks to Subhash K Jha about her movies, and the welcome Bollywood has given her.

Your next project is Ekta Kapoor's Ragini MMS 2. How comfortable are you in the horror genre?

I loved working on this film. The film requires a lot of performance, a whole range of emotions and of course, horror.

I don't mind the idea of not looking pretty in every shot. To me, this is my way of getting out of who I am and becoming someone completely different for the day.

You performed an item song in Shootout At Wadala. How difficult was it for you to master those filmi maneuvers?

It was a challenge but fortunately, I was working with one of the easiest choreographers around, Ahmed Khan and his team -- Karishma, Khalid and Bob. They made me feel so comfortable that I could relax and just dance.

As a child, I wanted to play games like football, hockey and basketball. So, it was a challenge to learn a whole new art.

But I am a fast learner and can work very hard to get it right.

How accepting has Bollywood been of you? Do you feel at home here?

Bollywood has been very accepting. I know there are people out there that don't like me but there are even more who like me. So it doesn't bother me.

I am very lucky that when I entered Bollywood, I already had a fan following. And the Bigg Boss Season show helped everyone else get to know me as a person. Moving to India from Hollywood was one of the easiest moves I have ever made.

Effortless, really. 

Do you feel it's hard for an outsider like you to crack the Bollywood code?

I can't speak for others but for me, because of my background and the fact that I have been in entertainment for 13 years, I had a basic understanding of how things work.

Also, I work very hard, and try my best to learn everything that Bollywood is. I'm not sure if I have fully cracked the 'code' but hopefully, I have begun the process. It all depends on how my second, third and forth movie do.

Have you settled down in Mumbai now?

I feel very comfortable living here, and it's been an easy move for my husband and me. We know the ins and outs of Mumbai. I think I started feeling totally comfortable when I started giving my driver directions.

Have you bought a house here yet?

No, my husband and I have decided to see how things move here before we commit to buying something. It's also giving us a chance to get to know our surroundings. Tenants were very excited at the thought of a Bollywood actress living in their place.

We are currently looking at new buildings that fit in our time frame to buy.

How does your family react to your career as a Bollywood actress?

My husband is my biggest supporter. He runs two other businesses and has his own music band. Yet, he finds the time to manage my career.

My brother is very supportive. He's a head chef in America and I hope one day he can move here so I see him more often.

My parents have passed away and I know they are looking down upon me and smiling. If they knew I met Madhuri Dixit the other day, they would have been so excited!

Have you left your days as an adult star behind?

Right now, my focus is in Bollywood. I have been given the opportunity of a lifetime and I plan to keep my focus and energy here till the fans want me.

If it wasn't for my past, I would not be who I am. I am not ashamed of it because it has brought me here to India. If I came here as a regular person, with no entertainment experience, I would not have been as popular as I am today.