The Candidate: Imagine a young boy, dressed as the revered Goddess Sita, performing with passion and dedication on a small stage in the village Ramleela. The crowd is captivated, but one man in the audience is seething with rage. This man, the boys father, sees his sons theatrical dreams as a disgrace. This is the beginning of Ravi Kishan Shuklas extraordinary journey, one that took him from a small village stage to the glitzy screens of Bhojpuri cinema, Bollywood, and beyond. Today, Ravi Kishan is not just a superstar, but an example of resilience and determination, whose story continues to inspire millions.Early struggles in actingRavi Kishans rise to fame was anything but easy. His father vehemently opposed his dream of becoming an actor. In a revealing interview, Ravi Kishan shared how playing Goddess Sita in a local Ramleela led to a severe beating from his father, who demanded he abandon his acting aspirations.Defying his fathers wishes, Ravi Kishans resolve to pursue acting only grew stronger. His mother, fearing for his safety and future, secretly gave him Rs. 500 and urged him to move to Mumbai. Her support marked a pivotal moment in his life.Ravi Kishans journey in City of DreamsIn Mumbai, Ravi Kishan took on various odd jobs to survive. His perseverance bore fruit when he landed his debut role in the 1992 film Pitambar, sharing the screen with Mithun Chakraborty. This breakthrough was just the beginning of a long and storied career.Ravi Kishan went on to work with some of Bollywoods biggest names, including Akshay Kumar in Zakhmi Dil, Dharmendra in Aatank, Shah Rukh Khan in Army, Jackie Shroff in Share Bazaar, Paresh Rawal in Hera Pheri, Salman Khan in Tere Naam, and Sanjay Dutt in Luck. Despite these high-profile collaborations, mainstream recognition in Bollywood remained elusive.Rise in Bhojpuri CinemaRavi Kishans career took a transformative turn when he ventured into Bhojpuri cinema with the 2002 film Saiyan Hamaar. The movies success made him an overnight sensation and solidified his status as a Bhojpuri superstar.Ravi Kishan continued to dominate Bhojpuri cinema with a string of hits, including Dulha Milal Dildaar, Hum To Ho Gayi Ni Tohar, Ab To Banja Sajanwa Hamaar, Bhoomiputra, Balidaan, Satyamev Jayate, and Kaisan Piyawa Ke Charitar Ba. His consistent performances significantly boosted the popularity and credibility of Bhojpuri films.International recognitionRavi Kishan expanded his horizons beyond Bhojpuri cinema, appearing in Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, and Kannada films. His versatility and talent helped bring Bhojpuri cinema to a global stage, even reaching Hollywood audiences.Now just imagine a superhero swinging across New York City, speaking in Bhojpuri. This creative leap was made possible by none other than Ravi Kishan. In 2007, Ravi Kishan took a bold step by dubbing the blockbuster Hollywood movie, Spider-Man 3, in Bhojpuri. This groundbreaking move made it the first Hollywood film ever to be dubbed in Bhojpuri, introducing the language to a global audience.Expanding Bhojpuri cinema globallyRavi Kishans influence in Bhojpuri cinema is unparalleled. On March 29, 2024, his film Mahadev Ka Gorakhpur made history and became the first Bhojpuri film to be released in the United States. His efforts have paved the way for regional films to gain international acclaim.Political journey: From Congress to BJPRavi Kishans political journey began with the Indian National Congress (INC) when he contested the 2014 general elections from the Jaunpur constituency. However, his path took a decisive turn in 2019 when he joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Contesting from the Gorakhpur constituency, Ravi Kishan secured a resounding victory, defeating his opponent by over 301,664 votes in Lok Sabha Elections. Now, Ravi Kishan is running again for the Lok Sabha Elections 2024 from the Gorakhpur constituency.Inspiring next generationRavi Kishans journey from a small village to becoming a prominent actor and politician is a source of inspiration for many. His relentless pursuit of his dreams, despite numerous challenges, serves as a powerful example for aspiring actors, especially those from rural areas.
