Actor and politician Ravi Kishan has opened up about the most difficult phase of his career, revealing that during his years of struggle he never once dreamt of owning a house or a car — his only prayer was to get the chance to wear makeup again. The candid admission came during the Diamond Jubilee special episode of 'Indian Idol', where Kishan reflected on his 43-year journey in the entertainment industry.

The Makeup Box That Kept Him Going

Kishan shared an intensely personal anecdote about a period when work had dried up completely. He recalled keeping a makeup box inside his car and, for two to three months, would smell it and weep, asking God when he would get to wear that makeup again.

'Many people in this country love me as an actor. A lot of my fans want to hear my struggle story, but I rarely speak about it. There was a time when I had no work, and I kept a makeup box in my car. For two to three months, I would simply smell that makeup box and cry, praying, ‘God, when will I get to wear this makeup again?’ That was my obsession. I never chased money. I never dreamt of buying a car or a house. I would only ask myself, ‘When will I get to wear makeup?’' he said.

From Struggle to the Oscars

Kishan credited that very obsession with ultimately driving him to one of the highest stages in world cinema. He noted that the same unwavering passion carried him all the way to the Oscars with the film 'Laapataa Ladies', where he went on to win several Best Actor awards in the film's first year of recognition.

'That very obsession took me all the way to the Oscars with Laapataa Ladies. The same actor went on to be part of that journey and won several Best Actor awards. It took me 43 years to complete this journey,' he said.

Message to Aspiring Artists

Addressing younger performers on the show, Kishan urged them never to abandon their dreams regardless of how long the wait becomes. His message was direct: 'To all my juniors, I have just one message — don’t give up. One day, the sun will rise for you too.'

This comes amid a broader wave of candid conversations from established Bollywood names about the industry’s brutal early years — a narrative that resonates strongly with aspirants across India’s vast talent pool. Notably, Kishan’s story stands apart because his passion was never transactional; it was rooted entirely in the craft itself.

A Career Spanning Four Decades

Ravi Kishan began his career in the early 1980s and navigated years of obscurity before finding his footing in Bhojpuri cinema and later mainstream Bollywood. He is also a sitting Member of Parliament, representing Gorakhpur constituency in Uttar Pradesh. His appearance on 'Indian Idol'’s milestone episode underscored how far he has travelled — from a tearful young man clutching a makeup box to an artist celebrated on the world stage.