Charting the success of Sunny Leone's numerous business ventures
What's the story
Sunny Leone, who started her career in Indian showbiz by appearing on the reality show Bigg Boss in 2011, has become a popular name in the art and entertainment industry. Since her Hindi feature debut in Jism 2 in 2012, she has starred in several films including Jackpot (2013), Ragini MMS 2 (2014), and Ek Paheli Leela (2015). Apart from acting, Leone is also recognized for her business acumen, as evident through her business ventures. Take a look at them.
Business
Star Struck, Infamous by Starstruck, and more
Leone launched Star Struck, a cruelty-free cosmetics brand, in 2018. Star Struck has 164K followers on Instagram! The following year, she expanded into the lingerie market with Infamous by Starstruck, a venture she started with her husband Daniel Webber. In addition to these ventures, Leone introduced two more brands, Lust and Affetto, that offer deodorants, perfumes, and body mists.
Success
Star Struck has climbed the ladder of success and how
Earlier this month, Leone shared that her brand has remarkably crossed ₹10 crore in annual revenue. She had laid its foundation with an initial investment of ₹10 lakh. She told CNBC-TV18, "I wanted to be a part of a company as a brand face, but I was considered too much of a risk for many companies despite my reach, following, and brand analytics being greater than most. So, I started it on my own! DONE!"
Diverse ventures
Leone has also ventured into the world of gaming
In 2018, Leone collaborated with Gamiana Digital Entertainment to launch an online game called Teen Patti. She also co-wrote 12 erotic stories with Chiki Sarkar, founder of Juggernaut Books, which were compiled into a collection titled Sweet Dreams in 2019. Additionally, according to a report in Mid-Day, Leone acquired a stake in the UK-based IPL soccer team Leicester Galacticos shortly before the pandemic hit.
Digital ventures
She launched her e-platform called I Dream of Sunny
In 2021, Leone became the first Indian actor to mint her own non-fungible tokens (NFTs). Following this, she launched her an e-platform called I Dream of Sunny. Per CNBC, she also has an investment in a wellness brand called Rize Bars and, in February 2024, started a restaurant called Chica Loca, located in Noida. This move marked another significant milestone in Leone's diverse and successful entrepreneurial journey.
Work
Her latest cinematic triumph and upcoming project
In December 2023, it was revealed that Leone will make waves in the Malayalam entertainment scene with the upcoming web series, Pan Indian Sundari. Touted to be the first high-budget Malayalam comedy action thriller, it is produced by Sreena Prathapan under HR Productions. It is expected to be released on the HR OTT platform. Last year, she gained recognition for starring in Anurag Kashyap's Kennedy, which was also screened at the Cannes Film Festival.