Ravi Kishan feels Bhojpuri cinema should learn from SS Rajamouli’s films: ‘Telugu and Malayalam industries also went through this phase…’

Ravi Kishan feels Bhojpuri cinema should learn from SS Rajamouli’s films: ‘Telugu and Malayalam industries also went through this phase…’

Bhojpuri cinema, which has been labelled over the years as obscene and inappropriate for the family audience, needs a facelift, and Ravi Kishan is ready to lead the film industry into a new era. Having worked in several Bhojpuri films like Hum Hai Jodi No 1, Love Aur Rajneeti, Hamar Devdas, and the National Award-winning film Kab Hoi Gawna Hamaar, the actor feels responsible for reviving the film industry.

In this interview with indianexpress.com, Ravi shares that he is close to finishing a Bhojpuri film that will change the face of the film industry.

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“With Mahadev ka Gorakhpur, I have tried. Because I am the one who started this industry and then I am the man whose Bhojpuri film won the first National Award. After that nothing happened, but these album songs and other songs really demeaned the industry. I didn’t pay attention as my life changed, and I became a parliamentarian,” said the actor.

Ravi continued, ”But now I have realised and I am doing a film called Mahadev ka Gorakhpur, which is a pan-India film. I am sure that this film will change people’s mindsets and all my juniors there will start making good films without any unnecessary, forced cheapness, dialogues and songs to run the movie.”

Bhojpuri cinema should follow Telugu cinema’s footsteps

In the last few years, the Telugu film industry has managed to make globally appealing cinema like SS Rajamouli’s Baahubali franchise, RRR and Pushpa: The Rise.

Also Read | Aamir Khan recalls how his failed audition for Laapataa Ladies went, says Kiran Rao thought his stardom would ‘disbalance’ the film

Ravi thinks that Bhojpuri cinema should take tips from how Rajamouli changed the game for the entire film industry, something that the actor also aspires to do.

“We don’t need all that (cheapness). One must learn from SS Rajamouli’s movie…Raj Kumar Barjatya and Yash Chopra made such good films, and they didn’t have anything like that and they would do so well. Bhojpuri cinema should take this lesson and pay good money to writers. A hero’s budget is a lot but writers and technicians should also be given good money. I am sure Telugu and Malayalam also went through this phase when they were labeled cheap. They brought such a revolution and we should also and we will. I started this industry and I will only revive it,” the actor said.

On Aamir Khan auditioning for his role in Laapata Ladies

Ravi Kishan has also been in the news for his film Laapata Ladies, directed by Kiran Rao and co-produced by Aamir Khan. Kiran had earlier revealed that Aamir wanted to play Ravi’s character in the movie. The Dangal star had even auditioned for the role, but Kiran felt Ravi would be better suited for it.

Knowing that a superstar like Aamir wanted to play his character, Ravi said, ” I got to know later that he had auditioned. His ex-wife Kiran Rao didn’t take him and took me for the part. Today both of them proudly say that ‘Ravi Kishan was better’. This is their greatness and modesty. This is why he is Aamir Khan. He has such a big heart.”

Ravi also predicts Kiran’s future as he says, “Kiran Rao will become such a big director after this film. Everyone will appreciate her.”

Netflix making a show set in the Hindi heartland

Ravi Kishan also has a Netflix series, Maamla Legal Hai, set to premiere on March 1. The actor plays the role of a lawyer called Tyagi. The story is set against the backdrop of Patparganj, in the eastern suburb of New Delhi. The actor points out that it is a great step for Netflix to focus on smaller suburban stories.

“Netflix, which is known for dark, action stories which you cannot always watch with family, has made an eight-part show on Hindi heartland with Ravi Kishan. My fans have also seen me in many Hindi films but wanted to watch me in a show. And the cast of the show is such that they are considered as underdogs. So Netflix has already attracted so much attention by making a show with underdogs,” Ravi said.

He added, “There is going to be humour in the show. Comedy will happen at the premises of a court, which generally people are hesitant to enter. You will be rolling on the floor after watching it.”

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