Although Ravi Kishan has been a household name for decades, working across films and television, it was director Kiran Rao’s Laapataa Ladies (2023) that truly reintroduced him to Bollywood audiences as a performer of remarkable range.
A superstar in the Bhojpuri film industry, Kishan admits it’s “ironic” that what brought him back into the Hindi cinema spotlight was, in his own words, “a small and tiny film.”
Ravi Kishan's Early Days: From Pitambar to 750 Films
An outsider in the industry, Kishan made his acting debut in 1992 with Pitambar, starring Mithun Chakraborty. But the road to fame was anything but easy. The actor-turned-politician recently shared that those who struggle in life often consider him their “hero” because he represents their journey.
“Yet, people have been watching me for years now. They have seen me everywhere: on stage, on television, and that too across various languages. Where have I not been there? 750 films is a huge number. You go anywhere, you can see me or hear my voice. I consider that Mahadev’s blessing,” he said on Raj Shamani’s podcast.
Growing Up in Poverty
Opening up about his struggles, Kishan revealed the extent of poverty he endured growing up.
“I have seen a lot of poverty. I saw so much poverty that I was disgusted by it. I grew up seeing as many as 12 people (his family) eating the same Khichdi that contained only a little bit of rice and so much water. We all slept in a 10×12 room, sometimes even on top of each other. Even the toilet was situated outside the house. I was extremely poor and was fed up with poverty as well as the taunts. I did not want to hear my father being ridiculed any more.”
On Caste and Destiny
When asked if casteism played a role in his struggles, Kishan was clear that his destiny would have remained unchanged.
“Ravi Kishan would have been Ravi Kishan no matter which caste he belonged to. This is because I was blessed by Lord Shiva. And I didn’t want to die an anonymous man. Once I decided that I didn’t want to die unknown, I was ready to do whatever it took. What’s the benefit of you coming to earth if even your neighbour doesn’t know that you passed away?"
"You are not here to just make children or buy a bungalow. Recognition is what matters, and money will follow. Name or price? Name! Once you attain a name, everything will come running after you.”
His Advice for Making It Big
Sharing advice for those who want to achieve success, Kishan emphasized discipline and fitness. “Go to gym every day. If you don’t have money to join a gym, go for a run every day on the road. Run for at least 3-5 km. Hit 200 pushups. Soak chana in water overnight, and the next morning, drink the water and eat the soaked chana."
He continued, "Even if you are poor, you get these things for free from the government; make use of them. At least, wake up before sunrise and exercise daily. Watch sunrise every day, and that itself will bring about all the changes.”
What’s Next for Ravi Kishan?
The actor will next be seen in director Vijay Kumar Arora’s Son of Sardaar 2, where he plays a key role alongside Ajay Devgn and Mrunal Thakur. A spiritual sequel to the 2012 action comedy helmed by Ashwni Dhir, the film will see Kishan in a role that was originally earmarked for Sanjay Dutt.