Source: http://www.screenindia.com/fullstory.php?content_id=15547
JOCKEYING into a new arena
Bhojpuri superstar Ravi Kissen😳, who became a household name courtesy Big Boss, takes on a new role, that of a Movie Jockey with the World TV premiere of the Bhojpuri film Ganga also starring Amitabh Bachchan ...
How did this idea of a Movie Jockey come up? And that too for Bhojpuri films?
Why not for Bhojpuri films? Well, actually it was the people at Filmy who approached me with this idea. I was very excited and agreed to become a MJ without a moment's hesitation considering it would give a boost to the Bhojpuri film industry. What I was asked to do was very different from what I am used to doing in films. So it was a challenge for me and I am sure people will also enjoy the effort. The Bhojpuri industry is growing by the day and this is an effort to provide people a taste of Bhojpuri cinema.
My job is like that of a sutradaar. I shall be sharing trivia, anecdotes and several other interesting things that happened during the making of the film. Incidentally I know so many inside stories while the shooting was in progress, mostly behind the scenes incidents, that I shall reveal in the middle of the telecast of the film. How the great Amitabh Bachchan is like a student when on the sets; Saroj Khan's choreography style or how we cooked Bihari food while shooting in London will surely catch the audiences' eye. Being a Bhojpuri myself, I am like a sweater that is knitted lovingly stitch by stitch. It took me years, slowly and steadily to reach where I am and become the superstar of Bhojpuri films. And since I try to involve myself in every stage of my films I am a party to many small incidents. Revealing these will make watching of the film a manoranjak experience. The viewer will feel that he is watching the film with me sitting next to him. (laughs) Will you be doing just one show or are there plans for more such programmes?
We are starting with my hit film Ganga which also stars Amitabh Bachchan and Hema Malini in the main lead. This should be incentive enough to start the program. This will be followed by the telecast of other of my films as well. The idea is to showcase my Bhojpuri film every second week of the month. But why Filmy?
Filmy is a digitally encrypted pay Hindi film channel that aims to redefine how cinema is consumed on television and where films are shown with a different content and a lot of fun-element. It is a part of Sahara One Motion Pictures. To enhance the viewership and to heighten interest, Filmy has put up over 100 hoardings across the town.
With this new concept, I want to boom the channel in the North as well. Our main target audience is ladies who don't go out to the theatres to watch films. So they can enjoy my films on TV in the comfort of their homes. With this I also want to create a new market overseas as Bhojpuri people are spread over 54 countries.
Tell us about your experience of working with Amitabh Bachchan and Hema Malini in Ganga?
It is an unforgettable experience. The proudest moment of my life was when I was called the 'mahanayak' by Amitji. Working with him and being in his closest company, I got to know a lot about him as a person and all my observations of the superstar will be disclosed on the show. There are so many of them that even Amitji is not aware of some. It will be a revelation for him about himself as well. As for Hemaji, since we did not have any scenes together, we were just on namaskar terms.
Your fame has even reached Ruk Ruk Khan who couldn't resist inviting you on the pot seat of Kaun Banega Champu.
That's right and that is also being telecast on April 29 at 7.30 pm. I shall appear in the typical Ravi Kissen style that people adore. It will be another boost for the Bhojpuri industry which today has a turnover of over Rs.100 crore.
You started your career with Hindi films and then hit big time in Bhojpuri films. Then Big Boss happened. How has life treated you after that?
I have 43 Bhojpuri films to my credit of which 23 are hits. But post Big Boss, I have realized that people want to see me more often. So I decided to become a Movie Jockey as I shall reach everyone's home once again.
Of course not. All the participants on the show are my friends and I am very happy when my friends do well in life. I am also happy that I managed to win everyone's heart through the show. Yeah I would have loved to win the money as well. But you win some you lose some. That's life. Shilpa Shetty has become a celebrity after winning Big Brother. If you are invited for the show, are you game?
I think I have revealed enough of my real self in BB to last me a lifetime.
BB was full of controversies, bad vibes and so on. What did you learn from it?
I have learnt to control my temper. Now I seldom get angry. I have learnt to take life seriously. What was great about BB was that the show helped me lose ten kilos of weight and I am told that I look good now. Don't you think so?
It is a big thing for the Bhojpuri industry. Even the locals there are looking forward to this film. I am glad that I shall be lending my voice for the character played by Toby Maguire. Actually this is the first time that I shall be dubbing for someone else. And already I have been receiving loads of such offers.
Now I plan to offer the desi version of the international hero to my local folks. Bajrangi is a 3D computer-graphic film, the first in Bhojpuri. For a Bhojpuria, God is the ultimate and I will show him that Spiderman learnt to fly from Hanuman (laughs). It will have a religious touch as well as a contemporary look to it.
That sounds interesting. What more is in the pipeline?
I am playing Gabbar Singh in the Bhojpuri remake of Sholay titled Gabbar. Maati Putra is being made by producers Indra Kumar and Ashok Thackeria. Kunika Lall's Mati Jaisan Mai Hamar and Banke Bihari MLA follows next. It has Rambha in the female lead. She is the current female superstar in Bihar. Ram Balram starring Rambha and me is releasing soon. I am also doing a Hinglish film titled Cocaine starring Konkona Sen Sharma in which I play Michael, a drug peddler. Then there is GP Sippy's Dayanand Rajan-directed yet untitled Hindi film. Quite a plate full, isn't it?
