Her transition to mainstream media began in when she joined the Indian reality show Bigg Boss 5 .
During the show, filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt offered her the lead role in the erotic thriller Jism 2 (2012), which officially launched her Bollywood career. Suncity Media and Entertainment
Sunny Leone has been the subject of several controversies throughout her career. In 2015, she faced criticism for her comments on the Indian film industry, which some perceived as derogatory. She has also faced backlash for her bold and provocative film roles, which some have deemed inappropriate for Indian audiences.
: She has appeared in over 50 films across Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam cinema.
Leone’s entry into mainstream Indian entertainment via Bigg Boss was a watershed moment for Indian television. It marked a shift in how the media consumed and curated content around unconventional public figures. Her subsequent film career—debuting with Jism 2 —proved that she could translate digital popularity into box-office draws.