Ravi Kishan may not have set out to become the internet’s latest obsession, but social media had other plans. The actor and Member of Parliament has lately found himself at the centre of a meme frenzy, with his expressions, dance moves and distinctive dialogue delivery on podcasts and interviews becoming fodder for countless viral posts. From ‘Pehchaan or Paisa? Paisaan! Money follows… my braatheer’ and ‘Hmmmmmm… better do it!’ to ‘Jaldi, the late!’, Kishan’s every move seems to be finding a new audience online.

We caught up with Kishan, who, in his inimitable style, sums up the phenomenon simply: “I don’t do it… it happens, brother!”

He shares, “Yeh kuch alag hi khel chal raha hai, yeh pagalpan hai! Shravan month is on and when Mahadev showers his blessings, this happens. It has never happened before for anyone in this country.”

For Kishan, perhaps the most surprising part is that none of this was planned. “The best part is that this is happening organically. Even the BJP handle, Delhi Police and Maharashtra Government have made memes. I am personally following it all and dropping a ‘like’ as well,” he says.

The 57-year-old credits Gen Z for it all: “No one has discovered me before. Gen Z has accepted me as their own. I really want to thank them and salute their creativity.”

Kishan believes the connection goes beyond the memes and viral clips. “Out of love, they call me Lord Ravi, God Ravi, today’s Osho and whatnot! They love real people; they connect with my imperfections, which makes them feel I am one amongst them. Everyone makes mistakes, so do I and I accept it as well. Main dil se bolta hoon aur meri sacchai logon ko pasand aa rahi hai,” he ends.

From his animated dance at the launch of his show, Mamla Legal Hai 2, to his impromptu singing clips, every other reel on social media is about Ravi Kishan. Over the past few weeks, creators across Instagram have been recreating his expressions, dialogues and mannerisms, while many online have even cheekily dubbed him "India's Henry Cavill." While many celebrities struggle to keep up with the internet's relentless meme culture, Kishan appears to be embracing the meme fest with ease.

Speaking to Bombay Times, Ravi Kishan says, "If you lose the ability to laugh at yourself, you lose a part of your freedom. People are having fun, and as long as it's in good spirit, why should I be offended? So, I smile, I move on, and I focus on doing good work. The internet will always find something new tomorrow."

Was any of it a conscious decision? He retorts, "Absolutely not. If you start planning viral moments, they stop being real. The audiences of today are incredibly smart; they are hyper aware of authentic and organic moments. I've never chased virality. I just try to stay authentic. I've never sat down thinking, 'This line will trend,' or 'This will become a reel.'"

Despite enjoying cult status online, Kishan who was trolled for going on National Duty after exiting from a reality show, admits "it is certainly a daunting balance". "My primary focus has always been to serve my constituents with honesty and commitment, because public service is not just a position it's a duty. I believe both roles can complement each other rather than compete," he adds.

Reflecting on why Gen-Z audiences have embraced him decades after he first entered the industry, he says, "I think what Gen-Z connects with is authenticity. They have an incredible ability to recognize what is real and what is manufactured. Throughout my career, I have never tried to imitate anyone else. I also believe that entertainment has no expiry date. If my work can entertain a young person today just as it entertained someone twenty years ago, that is the greatest compliment an artist can receive."

While a few are in good faith, a few are criticising and have a trolling innuendo. While it doesn't bother Ravi, he adds, "My rule is very simple being focused on my work. When you're completely invested in your responsibilities, whether as an actor or as a public representative, you don't have the time or the energy to be distracted by every opinion on social media. In today's world, you don't need to say much to become a meme. Sometimes it's just an expression, an airport walk, or a single sentence. That's the nature of the times, and I've learned not to take it personally. I've always believed that if you start changing yourself to avoid trolling, you slowly lose the person you truly are. I would rather remain authentic than become overly cautious. The people who genuinely appreciate you connect with your honesty, not with a carefully manufactured image. Tareef aur trolling, dono temporary hain."

Rivva Kishan, who was recently seen in the reality show Alliance, carrying the surname of actor-politician Ravi Kishan comes with both privilege and pressure. Rivva says, "I had a front-row seat to what this profession really demands. People often see the success, but I saw the years of discipline, resilience, and hard work that went into building it. Watching my father navigate different industries and constantly reinvent himself taught me that longevity is earned every single day."

She adds, "I'm incredibly proud to be Ravi Kishan's daughter, that's a part of my identity I'll never shy away from. But I also know that as an actor, I have to create my own voice, make my own choices, and earn my own place."

She adds, "There will always be expectations, whether because of my surname or because people are curious to see what I bring to the table. I've learned to see that as motivation rather than pressure. For me, success isn't about stepping out of my father's shadow; it's about standing confidently in my own light."

Addressing the perception that star kids have it easy, she says, "I'm aware that my surname opens conversations. Being Ravi Kishan's daughter is something I'm deeply proud of. I've never looked at this journey as something I have to distance from my father, nor as something I can simply inherit. His legacy belongs to him; my responsibility is to build my own. If I succeed, I want it to be because I consistently delivered. And if I fail, I want to learn from it and come back stronger not because someone protected me from failure. Yes, there are privileges, and I'm grateful for them. But there is also pressure, scrutiny, and a constant need to prove yourself."

On whether she sees herself working in Bhojpuri cinema, the industry her father brought to the forefront, Rivva says, "I don't like to look at cinema through the lens of language alone, I look at it through the lens of storytelling. India is home to so many incredible film industries, each with its own culture, voice, and audience, and I'd love the opportunity to work across them if the right stories come my way. Of course, Bhojpuri cinema will always hold a special place in my heart because it's a part of my roots and my family's journey. If a truly exceptional script comes along, one that has depth, sincerity, and something meaningful to say, I would absolutely love to be a part of it. I'm very comfortable with Hindi, and it's naturally a space I connect with. But as an actor, I don't want to limit myself."

Making her movie debut in 2020 with Sab Kushal Mangal, it's been six years, Rivva has not done any other work. Ask why audiences haven't seen her as frequently after her debut, and she replies, "Every actor has a different journey, and mine has taught me the value of patience. After my debut, I did receive opportunities, but I also realized very early on that I wanted to be part of stories that genuinely moved me and characters that challenged me as an actor."

At a time when weight-loss drugs dominate transformation conversations, actor-politician Ravi Kishan says he relied on dietary changes and exercise to lose 18kg.

“I was 90 kg and dropped to 72 kg. Prepare kar raha hoon apni body ko, ripped kar de raha hoon, shrink kar raha hoon,” the 57-year-old tells us. Political duties and visits to his Gorakhpur constituency led to some weight gain, he says, but he has now returned to a fruit-heavy diet to regain a leaner frame. He says, “I lost 18kg by changing how I eat.”

His changing screen appearances prompted the transformation. “Laapataa Ladies (2024) required me to look heavy, in Mirzapur: The Movie I will look lean, while in Naagzilla I have a super-fit body. When you are in your 50s, it’s not easy, but food changes can help, as 70-80% is what you eat and the rest is exercise,” he says.

Kishan clarifies that his regimen is flexible rather than strictly fruit-only. “It’s Mahadev’s blessing that he gives me the strength to be on a one-meal diet, intermittent fasting or exclusively on fruits,” he says, adding, “But I keep tweaking it to manage my political duties. These days, Parliament is in session, so I take soaked dry fruits and salad. As needed, I add protein, carbs and ghee too.” Avocado, kiwi, apples, bananas, oranges and fresh juices are among his preferred choices.

He also stresses the importance of exercise. “Your pant waistline is the biggest monitor, and it never lies. But along with diet, you need to exercise regularly for muscle health,” says Kishan.

Fruits are packed with micronutrients that can help digest and increase uptake or utilisation of other nutrients in our body, but they cannot replace a complete diet. Our body needs essential fats and proteins, and a complete meal should comprise cereals, pulses, dairy, vegetables and fruits, says nutritionist Rashi Chahal.

People with diabetes or kidney disease, pregnant or lactating women, older adults, those who are underweight, on medication or have a history of eating disorders should avoid restrictive diets without medical supervision.

Chahal calls it a short-term fad rather than a sustainable weight-loss plan. The initial drop may largely be water, glycogen and muscle, not body fat, and the weight can return once regular eating resumes.

“Celebs often have a short-term goal and access to nutritionists, trainers and medical supervision. What works for a two-month transformation cannot become a benchmark for everyday health.”

Inputs from Radhika Bhirani

Surprise was Ravi Kishan’s first reaction when he heard director Suresh Triveni’s narration of Maa Behen. “Even after doing so many films, I had never played a character like Gupta ji before,” marvelled the actor. The novel character became his incentive to play the middle-aged man attracted to his neighbour Rekha, essayed by Madhuri Dixit Nene.

The cherry on the top was the authenticity with which a North Indian small town was shown in the Netflix crime comedy, also starring Triptii Dimri and Dharna Durga.

“I know these areas. The small-town humour has been missing from Hindi cinema, and when [Bollywood] depicts it, it feels a little fake. You can’t fool me when it comes to this world. I know what kind of comments are passed when a woman is walking alone, or how people wait for her to step out when her husband is not home,” said Kishan.

Matching him, beat for beat, to bring the story alive was Dixit. Impressed by his co-star’s professionalism, Kishan said, “No matter what, she will be on set by 6 am. She is present at every moment. I might have given some trouble to our director, but Madhuri ma’am is calm like a river.”

He deeply cherishes her professional attitude, especially having worked with actors who lacked it. “I have many stories of co-stars, who aren’t like that. If provoked, I will give out names,” he laughed.

After grabbing attention with the delightfully cheeky title of their upcoming Netflix film Maa Behen, actors Madhuri Dixit, Triptii Dimri and Dharna Durga, along with director Suresh Triveni, landed in Delhi for a fun and candid conversation at HT City Stars in the City with Sonal Kalra, Chief Managing Editor, Lifestyle & Entertainment, Hindustan Times. Here are some highlights from the session:

For Triptii, sharing screen space with Madhuri was still a pinch-me moment. “This is my second film with ma’am after Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, but we didn’t get much time together then. During Maa Behen, we became friends and I’m very proud of that. Main toh bahut show off karti hoon, ‘Main Madhuri ma’am ko personally jaanti hoon. I talk to her every day’,” she laughed.

Madhuri, meanwhile, revealed that the cast bonded quickly during workshops. “My only rule was: besharam bano. Say whatever you want to each other. We had so much fun and I think that translated onscreen.”

Before the camaraderie came the casting challenge. As director Suresh Triveni put it, “The biggest question was, ‘Maa kaun banegi?’”

Recalling how Madhuri signed on, he said, “We narrated the script to her in August 2024. Me and my writer overacted like hell and used all our advertising tricks. In the end, she said, ‘I’m doing it’. After that, she became my trump card. With Triptii, it was, ‘Madhuri Dixit has said yes’. With Dharna, I just said ‘Madhuri’ and she was in.”

Dharna readily agreed: “I was so excited and nervous when I met Madhuri ma’am, like any die-hard fan would be. She said hi to me and I was like, ‘Whoa!’”

While Madhuri has played mothers onscreen before, this one felt refreshingly different. “I have grown-up kids of my own, so there was never any hesitation,” she said. What sealed the deal was the character’s unpredictability. “We always put mothers on a pedestal. Here (in Maa Behen) she says, ‘Agar main jail gayi toh tum dono ko saath mein lekar jaungi.’ I loved that!”

- DHARNA DURGA

Ravi Kishan is arguably in one of the strongest phases of his career. With Laapataa Ladies and Maamla Legal Hai, the actor is enjoying some of his most impactful roles. However, there was a time when, faced with a lack of meaningful opportunities in Bollywood, he chose to step away and build a formidable space for himself in Bhojpuri cinema, eventually rising to become one of its biggest stars.

Today, as regional cinema commands nationwide attention and respect, Ravi reflects on the journey of Bhojpuri cinema and his role in shaping its perception.

He says, “Mere Hindi cinema ke struggle ke baad, main intezaar kar raha tha aur chahta tha ki Bhojpuri cinema ko bhi sammaan mile. Mujhe usko izzat dilvaani thi, aur yahaan ke kalaakaron ko bhi izzat mile. We worked very hard on this, and today my juniors are benefiting from it.”

He adds, “The destination I had in mind was to gain appreciation and not be called downmarket, koi dekhega nahi, and aaj woh sab ho raha hai. Aaj main dekh raha hoon ki woh log aage badh rahe hain. Kyunki ek beej boya tha, aur main uss khet ka kisaan tha. I am not surprised because I saw this coming. Now my aim is to bring a script that can get us a National Award.”

Speaking about his decision to move away from Bollywood at a time when Bhojpuri cinema lacked acceptance, Ravi admits it was a risk many advised against.

He says, “Everybody told me that I would be finished, and no one would cast me in Hindi films. But I had faith in my God. Karo ya maro. I also had no choice. It’s not that I was getting many offers in Bollywood or earning well. So, I decided to take a chance, and things started falling into place.”

On whether the content and perception of Bhojpuri cinema have evolved over time, Ravi believes the change has been gradual but significant.

He shares, “Yes, after a lot of planning, the perception changed. Aaj bahut sammaan se dekha jaa raha hai, and I am very happy. However, there is still a lot of work to be done. Abhi bhi dilli door hai and the focus has to remain on making good films. There is a shortage of good writers and directors. People need to be trained, writers need to be paid better, and more attention has to be given to music again. The industry has gone through a low phase, and there is a need to revive it. I will soon make a Bhojpuri film, possibly a musical.”

Aditya Dhar’s Dhurandhar The Revenge entered the Rs. 1,000 crore club on its third Sunday, the fastest Indian film to achieve the feat after Pushpa 2 (2024). Even as the film continues its strong run, a section of viewers labelled it ‘propaganda’.

Reacting to the criticism, actor and Lok Sabha MP Ravi Kishan says that the film franchise “revived the industry and brought out facts in cinematic brilliance”.

“Calling it a propaganda film is very wrong! Actors from the South supported it openly; everyone should do that,” Kishan opines, adding, “A new trend has started of calling films propaganda; log yeh ek naya kabootar pakad liye hain!”

The actor, recently seen in Maamla Legal Hai Season 2, compares the franchise to the 1975 blockbuster Sholay: “The writer picks topics from real news and incidents, and the team cinematically presents them on the screen. The truth needs to be brought in front of people.”

While the 56-year-old was not a part of the franchise, he has “no regrets”. “Someone somewhere must be writing a Dhurandhar for me. Log chal ke aate hain, main reng ke aaya hoon after 35 years and 750 films,” he laughs, adding, “But I’d like to work with Aditya or (filmmaker) Sanjay Leela Bhansali, like I got to work with (filmmaker) Karan Johar in (upcoming film) Naagzilla.”

Two decades after Tere Naam, Ravi Kishan continues to hold Salman Khan in high regard. The actor-politician, who shared both screen space and gym sessions with Salman, says his admiration has only grown over the years.

“Superb man, what a lovely human being. Salman Khan bahut acche insaan hain. Mere acche dost hain, aur hamara bahut purana sambandh hai,” Ravi says. “I have only good things to say about him. I see him as a very helpful person. Ye meri raaye hai; log kya kehte hain ya kya kahenge, I don’t care.”

Recalling their early days, he adds, “Woh aur main acche dost hain. Woh hamare senior hain. Main 1991 mein aaya tha; woh 1986-87 mein aa chuke the.”

Kishan also recalled their time training together at a gym in Bandra, where he would watch the Bajrangi Bhaijaan actor effortlessly power through pull-ups. Sharing details about their workouts and bond, he said, “Ek Gym karke Bandra mein hota tha. We used to work out there. Main unko dekhta tha, woh bahut pull-ups maarte the. Aur jab bhi hamari baat hoti hai, unka aur mera humour connection bahut kamaal ka hai. Huge Salman Khan fan,” he added.

Ravi Kishan played Pandit Rameshwar in Tere Naam, alongside Salman Khan and Bhumika Chawla.

When crafting a full-blown action spectacle, it’s not surprising for a filmmaker to take inspiration from Hindi cinema’s most enduring movie, Sholay (1975). Gurmmeet Singh would agree. After all, the director, who is readying Mirzapur: The Movie for the big screen, has created a dance number along the lines of Mehbooba Mehbooba, which featured late Amjad Khan and Helen. Pankaj Tripathi aka Kaleen bhaiyya, Ali Fazal, Divyenndu, Jitendra Kumar, Abhishek Banerjee, and Ravi Kishan feature in the track that has Sonal Chauhan at the centre.

We’ve heard that the unit filmed the track in Jodhpur last month. Tripathi’s Kaleen bhaiyya may be more skilled with guns than with dance moves, but it turns out producers Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani were certain that such a song would only amp the sequence.

A source told mid-day, “Sonal Chauhan has performed the item song against a desert backdrop. The mood is such that Kaleen bhaiyya and the other characters are having fun at a rural bar where she is shaking a leg, and eventually they all join in the revelry. Tents were put up across the deserts of Jodhpur, where the song was shot over three nights.”

Mirzapur: The Movie’s soundtrack has been composed by Khandal and Junaid Kumar, while Vijay Ganguly choreographed the dance number.

The source added, “Pankaj is not known to dance much, but he enjoyed shaking a leg. Whatever he does, he does with great satisfaction.”

With web shows like The Family Man and The Good Wife, Priya Mani Raj has found a renewed connection with audiences across India. While she has long been a well-known name in the South, the digital space has helped her reach a wider, pan-India audience. Yet, her journey with Hindi cinema began much earlier — with Mani Ratnam’s Raavan.

When asked if she had high expectations from her Bollywood debut, she says, “Yes, I did. I was brought up watching Hindi films, so when I got an offer to do the Hindi version of Raavan, I was thrilled. I got to act with Abhishek Bachchan and so many wonderful actors like Ravi Kishan and Pankaj Tripathi. I was very happy. I didn’t have scenes with Aishwarya, but I met her during promotions, and she was so warm.”

She adds, “Honestly, I did think I’d get more offers after that. But I was quite selective. I got some offers that I liked and some I wasn’t convinced about, so I just kept them at bay. I wasn’t disappointed because I had my plate full with South films anyway.”

​Opening up about her initial journey, Priya Mani reflects on how she learned the ropes without any guidance.

She says, “When I look back at my old pictures or films, I’m like, ‘Why was I like this?’ But it’s a learning process. Nobody is perfect when they start out. Back then, I didn’t even know what grooming meant. I was 18 when I started out, and no one in my family was from the industry. I didn’t have a godfather to guide me, so I went with my instinct. I still do. I didn’t know you could have a personal makeup artist, a hairstylist, or even someone called a stylist,” she laughs, adding, “My peers had friends styling for them, and I just figured things out on my own.”

It was much later, she says, that she began to understand the importance of self-care. “It was only around 2011 or 2012 that I realised you could actually hire a stylist or get a designer to put things together for you. And after I started dating Mustafa (her husband), I learned to invest in myself — to look good, go for a manicure or pedicure, take care of myself, and look presentable,” signs off the Jawan actress.

After Jalsa (2022), director Suresh Triveni was seeking a light-hearted subject. From that wish was born his upcoming film, Maa Behen. Understandably, when Netflix unveiled its teaser in February, what excited everyone was the enviable casting of Madhuri Dixit-Nene and Triptii Dimri. “The casting was obviously ambitious,” admitted Triveni, when talking about his dark comedy that also stars Ravi Kishan and Dharna Durga.

“We wanted to have three terrific women, and we were clear from day one that we would approach Madhuri ma’am for it. She readily agreed in the first narration. So did Triptii, Dharna, and Ravi Kishan. I was fortunate,” he smiled.

In Maa Behen, Dixit plays a free-spirited mother, at odds with her grounded and inhibited elder daughter portrayed by Dimri. As an ardent admirer of the senior actor’s comic timing, the director wanted to see her in the space. “As a viewer, I was dying to see how beautiful Madhuri ma’am is with comedy. We wanted to see her in that comic avatar, and we chased it.”

With the Anil Kapoor-led Subedaar, and Maa Behen, Triveni has collaborated with two of the biggest 1990’s stars. How was the experience? He was left in awe by their appetite to learn.

“Why we call them the OGs is that they are not done yet. They are still learning. For example, we did at least 14 workshop sessions with the three leads together for Maa Behen. Madhuri ma’am showed up. She didn’t say, ‘Since I have done so much work, I don’t need it.’ She learnt the required dialect. These stars aren’t complacent at all.”

Ravi Kishan is enjoying a rewarding phase in his career after earning acclaim for Laapataa Ladies and the web series Maamla Legal Hai. He is currently seen in Bhabiji Ghar Par Hain: Fun on the Run, the film adaptation of the popular sitcom, by Binaiferr and Sanjay Kohli.

Talking about coming on board the project, he says, “I have always been a fan of the show. The story, the director, and my role all played a big part in my decision. I enjoy making people laugh with a poker face. The character is someone who loves deeply but one-sidedly, and that really excited me. I meet such people almost every day in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.”

Though Ravi has been part of Hindi cinema for decades, wider recognition has come his way only recently. Reflecting on this shift, he says, “I waited patiently for 34 years. At one point, people assumed I had been boxed into a Bhojpuri image, that I had become a politician, grown old, and would now quietly fade away. But sometimes, by God’s grace, just when people think you are finished, a filmmaker like Kiran Rao comes along with a script like Laapataa Ladies, followed by Maamla Legal Hai. Last year showed what I can do when filmmakers believe in me and give me strong material. Meri journey strugglers ke liye ek misaal hai.”

Recounting the phase when meaningful opportunities in Bollywood felt elusive, he says, “After Tere Naam with Salman Khan, I felt exhausted because of the lack of opportunities. I thought yahaan bohot bheed hai, main iss race ka hissa nahi bann paunga, aur koi response nahi dega. Of course, there was frustration and anger, but I channelled that anger into building my own space in the Bhojpuri industry. But I never blamed Bollywood. Hindi cinema ne mujhe pehchaan di hai and taught me everything I later applied to Bhojpuri films.”

Reflecting on delayed success, he adds, “Yeh ugte sooraj ka khel hai, and that is the truth across professions. But there is also a lot of affection coming my way now, and I am grateful for that.”

Is it Kartik Aaryan? Is it a shape-shifting snake? Well, it’s Aaryan filming his portions as a serpent in his next, Naagzilla: Naag Lok Ka Pehla Kaand. Sources have told mid-day that director Mrigdeep Singh Lamba, and the actor are currently shooting the creature comedy’s penultimate leg in Mumbai, with the duo planning to wrap up the project by February-end.

A source revealed, “Ravi Kishan too is part of the ongoing schedule. In February, the crew will move to Delhi for the last leg that will go on for a month. With that, the principal production will be complete, and March will be reserved for patch work.”

To ensure that Naagzilla meets its August 14 release date, we’ve heard that the VFX work is underway simultaneously. “Considering it’s a VFX-heavy film, the makers want it to be perfect so that it’s an immersive experience for the audience. Once the shoot is over, the team will take stock of the work left and the amount of time needed,” added the source.

The creature comedy marks Aaryan’s second collaboration with Dharma Productions after Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri (2025).

‘Naagzilla’ stars South actor Sreeleela as the female lead. It marks her second outing with Kartik Aaryan, opposite whom she is making her Bollywood debut with Anurag Basu’s musical drama.

Popular sitcom Bhabi Ji Ghar Par Hai! is making its way to the big screen. HT City has exclusively learnt that while the main cast — Shubhangi Atre, Rohitashv Gour and Aasif Sheikh — will return, new faces like Ravi Kishan, Mukesh Tiwari, and Brijendra Kala will also be part of the film.

The film was shot entirely in Mussoorie and Dehradun — in 20 days! We reached out to Shubhangi, who plays the role of Angoori Bhabhi confirmed the quick shoot and joked, “We should be in the Guinness Records!”

She further shared, “Bohot thand mein shooting ki humne. It was exciting, and the shoot was completed in March. It’s a complete laughter ride!”

Will there be any change in the treatment of her character in the film? “Angoori kuch alag karti hui dikhegi. It is a surprise for the fans. The love they have given to the show, I hope they give to the film as well! Bohot dil se banayi hui film hai!” Shubhangi says.

She has announced her exit from the TV show after 10 years, saying, “I have lived and loved this character with all my heart, but now it is time to move on.” Her final appearance will be next week.

The film adaptation of the hit web series Mirzapur is among the most anticipated projects for fans. While actors Ali Fazal, Pankaj Tripathi and Divyenndu are set to reprise their iconic roles, HT City has exclusively learnt that actors Jitendra Kumar and Ravi Kishan have also joined the ensemble cast.

Details of their roles are being kept under wraps, leaving fans curious whether they will step into existing characters from the series or bring in fresh faces. A source close to the project shares, “Jitendra and Ravi Kishan have joined the cast of the film. The mahurat puja took place on Thursday and they were present at the celebrations. Their characters are being kept as a big surprise for the fans.”

The source adds, “Look tests and reading sessions have already begun and will continue over the next few days. Jitendra and Ravi are also part of the pre-production work. The film will go on floors next month.”

While Ravi Kishan declined to comment, Jitendra Kumar remained unavailable for response.

Directed by Gurmmeet Singh and created by Puneet Krishna, the film will release in theatres across India before making its way to an OTT platform. Shweta Tripathi, who plays Golu in the series, is also expected to return.

Basking in the success of Laapataa Ladies (2023) and his popular OTT show Maamla Legal Hai, actor and parliamentarian Ravi Kishan is all set for his next big project. The actor will soon share screen space with Madhuri Dixit Nene in the upcoming film Ma Behen, which goes on floors in May in Mumbai. The film also stars Triptii Dimri and Dharna Durga.

“Bahut hi adbhut role hai in an entertaining film, and people have never seen me in such a character before,” he shares, brimming with excitement. “Bada rangeen, dilphek, romantic aur rasdaar kirdaar hai yeh!” Directed by Suresh Triveni (Tumhari Sulu fame), the film sees Kishan playing a character from a mohalla who is a big admirer of Madhuri Dixit Nene.

When asked if his real-life admiration for Madhuri will reflect on screen, Ravi laughs, “Madhuri ji has been such a big superstar, and we’ve all admired her for decades. It’s a great feeling. I had the opportunity to work with Sridevi ji, but never with Madhuri ji — so this is a big charm, saubhagya hai ki unke saath kaam karna. Triptii, India’s new sensation, is also part of the film, so God-willing, it’ll be a beautiful project.”

Ravi, who describes himself as being in the best phase of his career, adds, “Laapataa Ladies became a massive hit, and Maamla Legal Hai was widely loved. The industry now sees me as a capable actor. After 34 years of hard work, good scripts and big banners are finally coming my way.”

Reflecting on his journey of over 750 films, he muses, “Log chal kar aate hain, main reng kar aaya hoon, but it’s been anand wala safar.”

Currently, Ravi is working on several high-profile projects, including Son of Sardaar 2, the Bhabi Ji Ghar Par Hai film, Maamla Legal Hai Season 2 and Dhamaal 3, before diving into Ma Behen. On balancing acting and politics, he says, “Yes, I can manage both my constituency work and shooting well. I am grateful to my party for the liberty they give me. In my second term as an MP, I have also put up the most questions in Parliament.

With Laapataa Ladies being chosen as India’s entry for the Oscars, Ravi Kishan feels his hard work has finally paid off. In a conversation with Bombay Times, the actor, who has been a part of 750 movies across languages, talks about his 34-year-long journey in showbiz and the excitement around the Kiran Rao directorial heading to the Oscars. Excerpts:

There is a sparkle in his eyes when Ravi talks about Laapataa Ladies. “I’ve been waiting for 34 years for this day. The art I learned was a fusion of natural acting and entertainment. Today, I feel like it has paid off. I am optimistic about the film making it to the top five because I believe that the movie resonates with the global audience and tackles subjects like women’s empowerment and shattered dreams,” he says.

Ravi may have started his career with Hindi films, but his breakthrough came with Bhojpuri cinema, and he became a superstar there. “I was not getting mainstream offers. I was fed up. I didn’t have money even after Tere Naam because people didn’t give me good work. When I got into Bhojpuri films, people said my career would be over, but I went ahead as I had to run my house,” shares the actor, who was recently seen in Singham Again.

He further adds, “People humiliated me and tried to crush me, but I don’t hold any grudges against anyone. I’ve learned a lot in life; I’ve crawled and managed to reach here. I’m a self-made man.”

He also mentions, "I didn’t have money. I had mortgages to pay. I wanted to settle my family, my children, and my parents. So, every time I was doing any work, I was doing it for others. Now that life is settled I want to do it for myself. I want people to remember that there was an crazy actor like Ravi Kishan in India. I'm the same crazy man who made an entire Bhojpuri industry and gave employment to many. I sold Litti Chokha in the world of Pizza."

Kishan's journey has not been without hurdles. He recalls, "People humiliated me, crushed me, put me down and many didn’t even pay me.” Yet, he chooses to forgive. “I am immune. I have no grudge against people. I'm just on my journey. I don't remember my enemies. I've learned with life, I've crawled, and I've reached here. I'm a self-made man,” he mentions.

Ravi states he is an open book. After being in the industry for many years, and like many celebrities, he has faced personal and professional challenges as well.

Ask him his philosophy on dealing with adversity and he says, “You pay a price for everything. All things are part and parcel of life. When you are a celebrity and then a politician, you have to deal with things quietly. It is okay as long as you your conscience is clear, and your wife respects you. You are only answerable to your family and nobody else.”

Actor-politician Ravi Kishan is done with how Bhojpuri is perceived among the masses. He recently introduced a private member bill in the Lok Sabha to include Bhojpuri in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.

Talking to us, he says the identity of the language isn’t limited to the songs we have heard all these years: “My mother tongue (Bhojpuri) is spoken or understood by 25 crore people in India. It’s the second most-spoken language in Mauritius. People have this notion that only songs like Kamariya and Lollypop Lagelu is Bhojpuri. It has its own literature.”

The 55-year-old, who is a superstar in the Bhojpuri film industry, adds, “Because of a few money-minded people making those (crass) kinds of films or songs, we can’t say that’s what Bhojpuri is all about. Woh nahin hai jo dikhai de raha hai. Humari bhaasha mein ek mithaas hai, and my intention as a Lok Sabha member was to bring that forward. I am known because of Bhojpuri cinema. I am now working in many languages, but people still remember, ‘Achcha, Ravi Kishan, Bhojpuri wala!’ Films like Laapataa Ladies, Maamla Legal Hai, etc., have all happened now, par shuruaat toh Bhojpuri se hui thi.”

Kishan got a positive response from his fraternity, including the film industry, ever since the news broke. “Everybody has been congratulating me. People now know I went to the Parliament for the right reasons. I am a man with a mission,” he says.