The Sunny side of working with SRK in ‘Raees’!

Being a part of Shah Rukh Khan’s ‘Raees’ is a big deal for Sunny Leone. She is all set to shake a leg on the recreated version of ‘Laila Main Laila’ in this flick. The actress shared her nervousness on doing a Zeenat Aman number and the shock she got when Rahul Dholakia contacted her for the item number.

Your reaction on being approached for the song?

I was shocked, actually! I kept wondering if they called the right number. For the first few days, I would try on the costumes in sheer disbelief as I still couldn’t believe that they wanted me to do the song. I would try on the costumes during the rehearsals but it was always at the back of my mind that if they didn’t like me they could replace me. Now I know it’s happening and I am happy, honoured, thankful and so excited!

Have you seen the original song?

(Laughs) I had seen the song in Qurbani and then a couple of times before I started shooting for the song and again a few more times after shooting our song — out of sheer anxiety! Fortunately, my song is not a remake of Laila O Laila but a completely different dance song with different dance steps and a different look and styling. It’s more of a tribute to the original than a remake and has some really important moments which moves the story of Raees forward.

Are you apprehensive about being compared to Zeenat Aman?

Of course! I am very nervous about being compared to her. She was such a big star and the song became iconic. I am not thinking too much about it and focusing on the fact that I have been given the opportunity of a lifetime. The fact that my Bollywood career has taken such a wonderful turn and I got to work with a huge star like Shah Rukh, whom I admire very much. More than the pressure of expectations of just a song, I wish I can live up to the expectations of Shah Rukh and Zeenat Aman. I wish that when they and whoever cast me in Laila O Laila, watch the song are happy with my performance in it and that the film is a super success!

How was Shah Rukh to work with?

I was extremely excited to work with him and on the first day though I didn’t show it on the outside, I was very emotional. I wanted to cry! These are the moments that only dreams are made of… It was the first time I saw Shah Rukh. And being together in the same frame… Shah Rukh and I had a couple of different moments together in the song and hopefully I didn’t make it too difficult for him as there were some complicated dance moves that needed to be done. It was such an amazing moment for me. From where to where I have come, and now I am in a song with Shah Rukh Khan! It’s a dream come true for me and for those girls and boys out there to know that if I can do it, they can do it too. If you have integrity towards your work, professionalism and keep pushing forward you will achieve your dreams one day. It’s my special moment and I will never forget everything that happened from day one till this moment.