In an exclusive promotional interview for his recent OTT project, Arunoday was asked about the changing face of "bold" content in India. The host specifically asked: "Who, in your opinion, is the most misunderstood 'hot' icon of modern Bollywood?"
The phrase "Bollywood Hot Target" perfectly encapsulates how Indian media outlets historically covered Sunny Leone. During her early years in Mumbai, interviews often walked a fine line between journalistic curiosity and outright objectification.
Known for his brooding looks and intense on-screen presence, the actor redefined what "hot" means to him. "Everyone focuses on the physical aspect when they say 'Hot Arunoday Singh' or 'Hot Sunny Leone.' But real heat is survival. Real heat is resilience. Sunny is a 'Bollywood Hot Target' because she turned something designed to destroy her (tabloid gossip, slut-shaming) into her superpower." He added that most actives in the 2010s shied away from being linked to her, fearing branding. "Now? Everyone wants a piece of her brand. That’s ironic, isn't it?"
As the film's promotional campaign ramped up, so did the speculation that Jism 2 was essentially a pornographic film, largely due to Leone's casting. Singh was quick to challenge this assumption, defending his project with logic and professionalism. He remarked, "Sunny is starting life afresh. Just because she did porn, doesn’t mean Jism 2 will be about it. How could we release it legally?". He acknowledged that the film had intimate scenes, but stressed that was only one part of a larger story. "She may be a porn star but Jism 2 is not a porn film. People should keep that in mind," he told NDTV. Singh even praised the film's marketing as "genius," noting that while the pre-release buzz was immense, it was now "up to us to pull it off". In an exclusive promotional interview for his recent
This notoriety, however, only amplified her "hot" image. She was hands-down considered "one of the most hottest woman that Bollywood has been gifted with". By 2013, trade analysts like Taran Adarsh were already calling Sunny Leone "the next big thing in show business", making her an undeniable "Bollywood hot target" that the media and audiences couldn't get enough of.
. He expressed satisfaction that his role remained substantial in the final cut despite the focus on her. On-Screen Chemistry & "Jism 2" Steamy Sequences : The two shared intense scenes, notably in the song "Darta Hoon (Adhoora)" , where Sunny's character seduces Arunoday's. Mutual Respect
Arunoday was compared to most Bollywood stars who gave diplomatic answers. He stated roughly that: Known for his brooding looks and intense on-screen
| Aspect | Summary | |--------|---------| | | Bold, unfiltered, calling out industry double standards | | Main argument | Judge Sunny’s current work, not her past; stop using her for voyeuristic hype | | Media framing | “Hot” as clickbait – sexualized both her and the controversy | | Legacy | One of the few early instances of a male Bollywood actor normalizing adult film actors’ transition to mainstream |
Arunoday Singh handled the media frenzy surrounding Sunny Leone's entry with immense maturity, refusing to engage in the sensationalist "Bollywood hot target" narrative that surrounded her at the time. In this 2012 interview with NDTV , Singh offered a refreshing perspective on his Jism 2 co-star.
The public's reaction to Arunoday Singh's comments about Sunny Leone was mixed. Some fans and followers praised Singh for his progressive views, appreciating his ability to see beyond stereotypes and acknowledge talent. Others, however, were critical, questioning the need to discuss a controversial figure like Sunny Leone in such a manner. Sunny is a 'Bollywood Hot Target' because she
: Leone reciprocated the positive sentiment, calling Singh a "goofball" and noting they had a lot of fun on set, often high-fiving after successful takes. Perspective on Bold Scenes
During the promotional run for the film, media outlets repeatedly targeted Singh with questions designed to elicit scandalous headlines about Leone's adult film background. Singh refused to take the bait, offering responses that won him praise for his progressive mindset:
Sunny reciprocated this warmth, describing Arunoday as a "goofball" who made the set fun and lighthearted between serious takes. Dealing with the "Hot Target" Media Hype
When Pooja Bhatt announced the casting for Jism 2 , the sequel to the iconic 2003 John Abraham-Bipasha Basu starrer, it instantly set the internet ablaze. Casting Sunny Leone was recognized as a marketing masterstroke, but it also drew immense scrutiny. Flanking Leone were two of Bollywood's finest physical specimens and intense performers: Randeep Hooda and Arunoday Singh.
Singh even went so far as to call the entire promotional strategy for the film, orchestrated by producer Mahesh Bhatt, a stroke of marketing genius, remarking that "every move made by the makers is very smart and that is the reason the film was being talked about so much even before it went on floors".