Ravi Kishan skips 'Bigg Boss' for 'Luck'

Mumbai, Aug 2 (IANS) To play an animal-like psychopath in 'Luck', Bhojpuri superstar Ravi Kishan has had to forego the pleasure of co-hosting the second season of reality show 'Bigg Boss' with Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty.

While Shilpa won the British series 'Celebrity Big Brother', Ravi took part in the Indian version of the show titled 'Bigg Boss' in 2006.

'Shilpa and I were to co-host 'Bigg Boss'. And after being inmates at 'Bigg Boss' and 'Celebrity Big Brother', we'd have made a nice pair. But unfortunately this film where I play a psycho required immense preparation,' Ravi told IANS over telephone from Cape Town.

Director Soham Shah's 'Luck' is an action packed drama and stars Sanjay Dutt, Mithun Chakraborty, Imran Khan, Danny Denzongpa and Rati Agnihotri in key roles. The film also marks well-known actors Kamal Haasan and Sarika's daughter Shruti's foray into Bollywood.

Explaining the unique role he is playing in the film, Ravi said: 'My character is like many animals rolled into one. Sometimes he is a hyena, sometimes he becomes a rabbit. I watched the National Geographic channel for weeks to understand and imbibe animal traits.

'This is the most complex role of my career and thank god for my co-stars. All of us - Danny Saab, Mithunda, and of course Imran are one big boys' club. We work and party together. And women are not allowed. In fact, I've adopted Danny saab as my guru. There's no rivalry, no one-upmanship. All of us have well-defined, rugged and sporty parts.'

The film is being described as reality show 'Fear Factor' in a feature-film format where all the main characters are on a high-risk mission in the rugged outdoors.

'We've to do anything and everything from climbing mountains to plunging deep underwater to jumping off helicopters. Everyone had to get into special shape, me included. I've been working out doubly hard before coming to Cape Town.'

The Bhojpuri superstar sees 'Luck' as his biggest break to date.

'All of us have been given clearly defined parts. And I've never worked in a more friendly atmosphere in my life.

'Even Imran, who flew into South Africa after becoming an overnight superstar, is a pleasure to work with. He is so down-to-earth. He told me he had seen me in '1971' and liked me. As for Shruti, she's the daughter of the living legend Kamal Haasan and already a rock star. But she has no attitude. She's one of us boys.'