The real turning point in her work relationships came via the South Indian film industries—Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, and Bengali. In Bollywood, she was often the "special appearance" in an item song. Down South, directors gave her full-fledged roles. Her work relationship with Kannada superstar Upendra in Uppi 2 (2015) and with director Ram Gopal Varma in Killing Veerappan (2016) showcased a mutual respect.

Leone’s entry into Bollywood was marked by films that relied heavily on romantic and erotic tension. Her work often explores the nuances of modern relationships through varied romantic storylines:

Apart from acting, Sunny Leone has also ventured into production. She co-founded a production company and has been involved in producing content.