Ravi Kishan on 34 years of struggle: 'My time arrived after being mocked in the '90s'
Synopsis
Ravi Kishan's confession on 'Alliance' cuts through the usual celebrity-success narrative: he was fully trained, ready, and still mocked by peers who became '90s stars. His breakthrough came 34 years later — through Bhojpuri blockbusters, 'Laapataa Ladies', and 'Khakee: The Bihar Chapter'. It's a rare, unvarnished account of patience outlasting industry prejudice.
Key Takeaways
Ravi Kishan revealed on reality show 'Alliance' that actors who became stars in the 1990s once openly mocked him.
Despite training in horse riding, action, theatre, dance, Urdu, and Hindi, he was consistently overlooked for 34 years .
He eventually won multiple Best Actor awards in a single year and performed on stages that had previously never invited him.
His Bhojpuri films — including 'Saiyan Hamar' and 'Pandit Ji Batai Na Biyah Kab Hoi' — established him as a major regional star.
His role in 'Laapataa Ladies' and the web series 'Khakee: The Bihar Chapter' marked his successful reinvention in Hindi cinema and OTT.
Actor and politician Ravi Kishan has opened up about the decades of rejection and ridicule he endured before achieving mainstream recognition, revealing that peers who became stars in the 1990s once openly mocked him. Speaking candidly on the reality show 'Alliance', where he is currently a contestant, Ravi traced a journey spanning 34 years — from being overlooked in Mumbai's film circles to winning multiple Best Actor awards.
The Years of Being Overlooked
'In my life, I have met many such people who used to make fun of me in the past. They were becoming stars in the '90s, and I could see them moving ahead,' Ravi said on the show. Despite being extensively trained — in horse riding, action sequences, Urdu, Hindi, theatre, and dance — he found himself consistently passed over while contemporaries rose to prominence.
'I was fully prepared. Even after that, I was left behind while everyone else moved ahead. I kept telling myself that if their time had come, mine would come too. But I never knew my time would arrive after 34 years,' he added.
When the Tables Finally Turned
Ravi recalled the moment his perseverance paid off in vivid terms. 'Then it happened, happened after 34 years. I won all the Best Actor awards that year. I stood on stages where I was never invited before. People never used to invite me. Everyone used to make fun of me. No one believed that I could do anything, but today I am here,' he said. Fellow contestants on 'Alliance' were visibly moved, with several reportedly getting goosebumps listening to his account.
From Bollywood Margins to Bhojpuri Superstardom
Ravi began his acting career in the early 1990s with Hindi films including 'Pitambar', 'Aatank', 'Army', and 'Zakhmi Dil'. While those projects kept him in the industry, it was the Bhojpuri film circuit that transformed his fortunes. Blockbusters such as 'Saiyan Hamar' and 'Pandit Ji Batai Na Biyah Kab Hoi' made him one of the most recognisable faces of Bhojpuri cinema.
Critical Reinvention in Recent Years
In more recent years, Ravi has successfully repositioned himself in mainstream Hindi cinema and on OTT platforms. His performance in 'Laapataa Ladies' drew widespread critical and audience appreciation, earning him numerous awards. His work in the web series 'Khakee: The Bihar Chapter' further underscored his range as a performer. This comes amid a broader industry trend of character actors finding renewed relevance through streaming platforms, where nuanced performances often outshine star power.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Ravi Kishan reveal on the reality show Alliance?
Ravi Kishan disclosed that actors who became stars in the 1990s used to mock and ignore him despite his extensive training. He said his breakthrough came only after 34 years, when he won multiple Best Actor awards and began performing on stages that had previously never invited him.
How did Ravi Kishan become famous?
Ravi Kishan began his career in Hindi films in the early 1990s but found his biggest early success in Bhojpuri cinema with films like 'Saiyan Hamar' and 'Pandit Ji Batai Na Biyah Kab Hoi'. In recent years, roles in 'Laapataa Ladies' and 'Khakee: The Bihar Chapter' brought him widespread critical recognition in Hindi cinema and OTT.
Which films did Ravi Kishan start his career with?
He made his acting debut in Hindi films in the early 1990s, appearing in projects such as 'Pitambar', 'Aatank', 'Army', and 'Zakhmi Dil' before transitioning to Bhojpuri cinema, where he became a major star.
Why is Ravi Kishan's role in Laapataa Ladies significant?
His performance in 'Laapataa Ladies' received widespread appreciation from both critics and audiences, earning him numerous awards and marking a successful reinvention as a character actor in mainstream Hindi cinema after decades in the industry.
What is the reality show Alliance that Ravi Kishan is part of?
'Alliance' is a reality show on which Ravi Kishan is currently a contestant. It was during a candid conversation with fellow contestants on this show that he shared his decades-long journey of struggle, rejection, and eventual recognition in the film industry.
