After skipping a conventional theatrical rollout, Anurag Kashyap’s neo-noir thriller ‘Kennedy’ is finally reaching viewers through OTT. The film, headlined by Rahul Bhat and Sunny Leone, will stream on ZEE5 from February 20, 2026. As anticipation builds, Sunny Leone addressed whether the delayed release might affect how audiences connect with the story.In a conversation with Variety India, Sunny reflected on the project’s pandemic-era origins and how that period continues to influence people emotionally. She believes the film’s themes remain potent despite the gap between production and release.
Leone explained, “Because it was shot during COVID, I think that hangover is still lingering in people’s hearts. It’s still fresh what everyone went through.” Emphasizing the film’s fictional nature, she added, “I don’t think the themes in the film are any less relatable today.”
Sunny Leone plays the mysterious Charlie
In ‘Kennedy’, Sunny takes on the role of Charlie, a woman who is both vulnerable and resilient, wrapped in mystery. Her character crosses paths with Uday Shetty, played by Rahul Bhat, a disgraced former cop who now operates as a contract killer within a corrupt system. Sunny revealed that extensive groundwork went into shaping Charlie’s personality. Director Anurag Kashyap conducted workshops, shared references, and guided her through dialogue sessions to help her internalize the character.Sunny Leone said, “After he explained the character, I found small relatable things in my own journey. Some things were relatable, some obviously were not. After all that preparation, it wasn’t that difficult on set. Through his coaching and the way Anurag nurtures you emotionally making you feel heard and safe you just have to let go and trust him.”
Sunny Leone on learning to surrender to the process
According to Sunny, the experience was also about trusting the director’s vision and being open to transformation. She focused on absorbing every detail rather than imposing her own ideas prematurely. “I tried my very best to be a good listener and absorb as much information as possible because I did not want to take for granted the opportunity to work with him or with other amazing directors who had created incredible cinema,” she shared.
‘Kennedy’: A dark tale set in post-lockdown Mumbai
‘Kennedy’ unfolds in a shadowy version of Mumbai after the lockdown, immersing viewers in a morally complex world of crime and corruption. The story follows an insomniac hitman presumed dead, who carries out assignments while searching for redemption and escape from his violent past. Blending psychological drama with crime thriller elements, the film explores loneliness, guilt, and survival in an unforgiving urban landscape. Charlie’s presence adds emotional depth, complicating the protagonist’s journey and revealing the fragile humanity beneath brutality. Having generated buzz on the festival circuit, ‘Kennedy’ now has the opportunity to reach a much wider audience through streaming.
