Ravi paid 40 lakhs to participate in BB

By Subhash K Jha

Bhojpuri superstar Ravi Kissan is the highest-paid participant in Big Boss. He's been paid a lump sum of Rs 40 Lakhs for participating in the show. He'll also be given a weekly stipend of Rs 4 lakhs for every week spent under camera surveillance…Plus of course the prize money of Rs 2 crores…if he wins.

And Ravi Kissan is determined to win. Just before he left for the outskirts of Mumbai to stay in seclusion for the show Ravi said, "I'm participating with the purpose of detoxifying myself. I've been working non-stop for the past three years.

I need to rest my body and brain. I intend to do exactly that. I'm not used to a life without newspapers, television or mobile phone. And I'll be expected to cook my own food. Sounds like fun."

Ravi intends to remain isolated from the rest of the group.

"I don't know the others, and that's the way I like it. There will be cameras trailing me everywhere except the rest room where I can do my unmentionable activities.

I'll spend my time doing puja-path and generally introspecting about all the turbulence I've gone through in my personal life recently. Otherwise I'll be watched all the time."

Ravi Kissan is quickly wrapping up his latest Bhojpuri film Saiyyan Hamar Hindustani with tv star Shweta Tiwari (Prerna from Kasauti Zindagi Kay) so he can be free for thirteen weeks beginning 3 November.

"Big Boss is watched in 156 countries. It's now come to India. I'm very excited about being part of it. People can watch me on television one hour every day or on the internet round the clock," Ravi sounds excited.

He's also excited about the release of his two Bhojpuri films Ganga, where he shares screen space with the mighty Bachchan, and Saira Banu's Ab To Banja Sajanwa Hamar where he pairs with Nagma.

"It was the proudest moment in my life when Mr Bachchan called me a 'Mahanayak' at the music release of Ganga and when the Thespian Mr Dilip Kumar told me I made him cry with my performance in their home production."

Ravi Kissan's relationship with Nagma has been called off. "But we'll continue to work together. We're an inseparable jodi in Bhojpuri films. I'll always wish her well. And yes, I need to do Big Boss to sort things out in my head. "