In an exclusive conversation with Filmfare, the lead actors of Anurag Kashyap’s Kennedy, Rahul Bhat and Sunny Leone, opened up about their journey into the dark and complex world of the film. From the moment they were handpicked by the “devil himself” (as Rahul jokingly refers to Anurag Kashyap) to the positive reception at international film festivals, the duo shared what it takes to bring such intense characters to life.
The Magic of the “Devil’s” Set
For Sunny Leone, being part of an Anurag Kashyap film felt almost too good to be true. She admitted to being in a state of disbelief until she actually stepped onto the set. She confessed, “”I didn’t believe it was actually going to happen… I believe in Nazar and evil eye. If I get too happy and start talking about it, what if it goes away?”
Rahul Bhat, who has been a frequent collaborator with the director, described Anurag Kashyap’s process as one that turns complexity into simplicity. He mentioned that while the characters are emotionally volatile, the atmosphere on set is surprisingly effortless. Rahul explained that Anurag prepares his actors like a friend rather than a headmaster, allowing them to flow with the tide of the character’s journey.
Finding the “Charlie Laugh”
One of the most striking elements of Sunny’s character, Charlie, is her weird and obnoxious laugh. Sunny revealed that this was a non-negotiable requirement from the director. She shared, “I had to spend a good amount of time doing this around everybody… in cars, in planes, in airports.” To perfect it, she would break out into the crazy laugh during random conversations, often leaving her team wondering if she had lost her mind. She described the laugh as a mask for Charlie’s internal pain and a sentiment she feels many in the entertainment industry can relate to.
Audience Is King
According to Rahul Bhat, his role as Kennedy was a masterclass in stillness and the art of playing a psychologically messed up character. Despite the praise, Rahul remained grounded, crediting the film’s success to the collective effort of the technicians, co-actors, and editors.
Rahul shared an interesting take on the relationship between an artist and their audience. He said, “Art is nothing if nobody appreciates it.” He shared his belief that while actors can put in the work, they cannot be smarter than the audience. “At the end of the day, they will decide how good you were,” he said, highlighting that the ultimate validation comes from the viewers who get it.
MAMI Screening
Discussing the film’s reception, both actors expressed joy at the audience’s reaction during the MAMI screening in Mumbai. Sunny recalled how people were sitting on the stairs because the aisles were full, creating a safety hazard due to the sheer interest. Rahul added that the energy was similar to a stadium, with people hooting, cheering, and laughing.
As Kennedy makes its way to OTT, both actors shared their excitement for a wider audience to experience the rewind-worthy dialogues and the atmospheric world Kashyap has built. A world so beautiful that Rahul even admitted to taking home the curtains and carpet from the set to his own bedroom. He laughed and revealed, “I still have the carpet from the set. I took the carpet and the curtains because I loved them so much. They’re lying in my bedroom.” Sunny added to the same, saying, “The sets that were created were absolutely beautiful. Every time I walked in, I was like, ‘Oh, I want my place to look like this. This is so beautiful.’”
Directed by Anurag Kashyap and starring Rahul Bhat and Sunny Leone in key roles, Kennedy is now streaming on Zee5.
Also Read: Kennedy Trailer: Rahul Bhat Goes on a Deadly Killing Spree in Anurag Kashyap’s Film
