HOLLYWOOD, Calif. — Adult star Sunny Leone's appearance on Indian reality show "Bigg Boss" has helped the show reach its highest single episode to date with 29 million viewers.
The Indo-Canadian adult performer has spiced up the Indian airwaves since her arrival last month for "Bigg Boss 5." quickly becoming a media pop sensation.
Leone said that following her first appearance on the show her Twitter account shot past 110,000 followers with no indication of slowing down, she is a top Google search in India and her Facebook fan pages have been blowing up the social networking site.
Positive coverage from mainstream media has also helped Leone reach Indian star status.
"(Sunny) has been better behaved than most of her housemates, so far remaining polite, well-spoken and fully clothed," noted Jason Burke of Guardian.co.uk, while TheSmokingJacket.com’s headline read "Sunny Leone Is the Hottest Thing on Indian Reality TV."
A recent Hindustan Times headline trumpeted “Sunny Leone Mania Grips India.”
Leone’s impact has poised the star for more mainstream ventures. Prominent and award winning Indian filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt is eyeing her for a sequel to the 2003 movie, “Jism.”
And according to the Leone camp, a three-picture Bollywood deal is currently in discussion.