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‘I know all my films will be compared to one another’
Leone says that her birthday celebrations have remained the same, but now there is a happy addition of three angels in the form of her kids
For me, celebrations mean the family being involved. There’s no celebration minus them,” says actor Sunny Leone, who turns 38 today and rang it in with her husband Daniel Weber and three children — one-year-old twins Asher, Noah, and Nisha (3) in Jaipur.
Sunny isn’t one to go all out to celebrate the big day. “I am more of a quiet dinner person, with my family and friends. All of them are here, along with my team, and there’s nothing more I would like to ask for. I am quite simple that way,” Sunny shares. And making it more special are her bundles of joy. “The family has just got bigger. The celebrations are the same, but the happiness has tripled,” says Sunny.
She reveals that Daniel is always up to something. “Daniel always plans surprises for any occasion, and hence he doesn’t need my birthday to make me feel special. He does that every day in some way or the other. He’s always thinking of getting me special gifts, big or small, with loads of love,” she gushes.
On the professional front,
while she hasn’t been seen in a proper role in Hindi films in almost two years (her last lead role was Tera Intezar; 2017), she says she has a project in hand. “I have just signed a horror comedy, and I’m looking forward to shoot for the same. Besides, my own production house will also be launched soon,” she adds.
Jism 2 (2012), Ragini MMS 2 (2014) and One Night Stand (2016) — many of Sunny’s films have seen her in glamorous roles only. Did she get fed up of receiving such offers only, and hence took the break? She clarifies, “As an actor, there is nothing called being ‘categorised’ or ‘typecast’ because it’s a role, and you do get to portray different characters, even if it’s glamorous. I have received offers for a variety of roles, but only a few interest me. It’s not just Bollywood, down South too, I am blessed to have been working with great co-stars and directors on some amazing scripts. The web series (based on her life) was the most challenging and difficult role I have ever played, since I had to revisit a lot of chapters of my life, which was very difficult.”
When he made his directorial debut with Socha Na Tha (2005), audiences as well as critics sat up and took notice of a raw, young talent. And then, two years later came the muchloved Jab We Met (2007) that instantly put Imtiaz Ali in the league of top-rung directors. Now, as the film-maker completes nearly 15 years in Bollywood, he knows a thing or two about the audience’s expectations.
“Till date, I’ve had fans of various kinds, who have loved my films for different reasons. I remember once, in the same day and within few hours, I came across people with completely diverse thoughts. One said, ‘Highway (2014) was very good and please promise that you’ll never make a film like Love Aaj Kal (2009)’. Then somewhere else, I met a girl who was like, ‘please make [a film such as] Love Aaj Kal. Why did you make films like Rockstar (2011) and Highway?’” he says.
But Imtiaz readily admits that “expectations are good”. “I know that all my films will be compared to one another. And that’s something you have got to live with and use it positively for yourself,” says the filmmaker, adding that he would “hopefully do a lot more things in the coming days”, and not just as a director.
“If you look at my filmography, I have made about seven-eight films. So, in essence, the strike rate has been one film in about two worked with has been very years. I think that’s the respectful [towards me]. For maximum I can do as far as example, when I made Socha direction is concerned. But Na Tha, I feel there was no need now, I feel I can do much more for Sunny Deol [actorproducer] and I want to do much more. to be so respectful to There are so many stories to be me. At that time, I was just a told. I can also write and think kid out of nowhere and he had of stories at a much faster rate. so many years of experience in So, I feel all of that can be this business. In fact, he is born utilised,” he says. into this business. That way, I
Imtiaz feels he has been consider myself fortunate that “very lucky” to have worked nobody has ever tried to
generousPHOTO:control me. I have been very with “amazingly and passionate people”. He lucky,” says the film-maker. explains: “Whoever I have
I have just signed a horror comedy, and I’m looking forward to shoot the same. Besides, my own production house will also be launched soon.
SUNNY LEONE, ACTOR
I feel I can do much more now, and I want to do much more. There are so many stories to be told. I can also write and think of stories at a much faster rate. So, all of that can be utilised.
FILM-MAKER