Sunny Leone's journey from adult star to Bollywood's brand icon

The former adult star gave up her thriving career in Canada to shift base to the heart of India's show business - Mumbai.

Sunny Leone entered millions of Indian households via reality television show 'Bigg Boss'. She got her first lifeline in the role of a plum film offer from none other than ace director Mahesh Bhatt.

Although Sunny made headlines with her bold role in 'Jism 2', the film did not have much to say about her acting skills.

Her next outing on the big screen was in the form of an item number 'Laila' in 'Shootout At Wadala'. The actress with an unconventional background certainly managed to break ground with the Bollywood's who's who as well as the front-row audience with her dancing skills and her uninhibited moves.

Her upcoming film 'Ragini MMS 2' is slated for release later this year and that will be a true acid test and will decide whether she is a mere flash in the Bollywood pan or she has a long-term future in the Hindi film industry.

Having said that, it is important to mention that Sunny's immediate future is definitely taken care of given that she has four films in the pipeline including 'Ragini...'.

So what makes the producers queue up outside Sunny's home? Film critic Taran Adarsh told Indian daily Hindustan Times that he would attribute her "freshness factor clubbed with a new face that matters" to her popularity.

Even though Sunny is barely a couple of years old in the industry, experts say her positive attitude and absence of starry tantrums make her attractive to production houses. Her lack of inhibitions in doing bold roles in bolder costumes also help.

These points have helped Sunny raise her price and producers are happy to match her pay packet at par with A-lister actors. After all, she was the reason behind 'Jism 2' and 'Shootout... ' making headlines and roping in crowds.

Having worked with a big banners like the Bhatts and Ekta Kapoor's Balaji Motion Pictures, so far, Sunny is well on her way to become a brand in Bollywood.

In fact, if truth be known, she is known to be making some serious money through endorsements and appearances at different events as her stature as a brand consolidates. She is already endorsing perfume, condom and drinks brands.

If lady luck sides by Sunny and 'Ragini...' proves to be a hit at the box office, she will certainly be able to put her dubious past behind her and quieten her critics by transforming the unconventional conventional.

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