Mumbai: Actress Sunny Leone is optimistic that her upcoming film Kennedy, directed by Anurag Kashyap, will be a turning point in her Bollywood career. The neo-noir thriller, set to premiere on ZEE5 on February 20, 2026, features Leone as Charlie, a mysterious yet strong character who becomes intertwined with the protagonist, Uday Shetty, played by Rahul Bhat. The film explores Shetty’s double life as a cab driver and contract killer, haunted by personal loss and seeking redemption in a corrupt city.
Leone, who rose to fame with item numbers like Laila Main Laila and Chaar Botal Vodka, expressed her excitement about working with Kashyap. She revealed that the director initially contacted her husband and manager, Daniel Weber, before speaking to her directly. “I never imagined I’d get a call from him offering a role. It felt surreal,” she told PTI, recalling the mix of nervousness and excitement she felt when offered the part.
The actress described her experience on set as emotionally safe and creatively fulfilling. She added that her conversations with Kashyap, sharing personal stories and reflections, helped her perform with confidence and authenticity. Kennedy marks her first collaboration with the acclaimed filmmaker and is expected to challenge the audience’s perception of her previous work, focusing more on her acting skills than her image in item songs.
The film also stars Mohit Takalkar, Megha Burman, Aamir Dalvi, Abhilash Thapliyal, and Karishma Modi in pivotal roles. Leone hopes that Kennedy’s critical reception will open doors for diverse roles in mainstream and content-driven cinema, giving her career a new dimension. Producers and directors who have interacted with Leone expressed confidence that this project could redefine her professional image, offering her opportunities beyond glamour-centric roles.
Sunny Leone’s enthusiasm reflects her desire to evolve as an actor and explore challenging characters, positioning Kennedy as a potential career milestone in her cinematic journey.
