Sunny Leone Hopeful for “Image Makeover” with Anurag Kashyap’s Kennedy

Actor Sunny Leone is optimistic that her role in Anurag Kashyap’s upcoming neo-noir thriller, Kennedy, will serve as a definitive turning point in her career. Known largely for her dance numbers and reality TV presence, Leone shared that producers and directors who have seen the film believe it will finally “change her image” within the industry.

In the film, Leone portrays Charlie, a character she describes as mysterious, fragile, yet possessing an underlying strength. Her character becomes a pivotal link in the life of the protagonist, Uday Shetty (played by Rahul Bhat).

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A Dream Collaboration

Leone revealed that she was initially “blown away” and “scared” by the offer to work with a filmmaker of Kashyap’s caliber.

• The Audition: Kashyap initially reached out to her husband, Daniel Weber, who insisted the director speak to Sunny directly about the part.
• The Experience: She described the set as a “safe place” where she felt seen and heard, which allowed her to deliver a more nuanced performance.
• Industry Shift: Having specialized in “special songs” like Baby Doll and Laila Main Laila, Leone is hopeful Kennedy will help her secure more performance-driven roles.

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Kennedy: Plot and Release Details

Kennedy has already garnered international acclaim, having premiered at the Cannes Film Festival (Midnight Screenings) and received a standing ovation at the Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival.

Feature	Details
Director	Anurag Kashyap
Lead Cast	Rahul Bhat, Sunny Leone
Genre	Neo-noir Crime Thriller
India OTT Release	February 20, 2026
Streaming Platform	ZEE5

The story follows Uday Shetty (Rahul Bhat), an insomniac ex-cop presumed dead, who operates as a contract killer for a corrupt system while secretly seeking his own redemption.

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