Ravi Kissen shocked at his popularity

New Delhi: He has got a second lease of life in Bollywood and Ravi Kissen can’t help but thank Bigg Boss for that. The Big Boss here is not just Sony TV’s reality show, which catapulted Ravi to instant fame, but God who Ravi never forgets to remember.

In an exclusive interview with IBNLive.com, Ravi talks about his upcoming Hindi movie 1971 and life after Bigg Boss.

Garima Dutt: Suddenly, you are a known face after Bigg Boss. Do you feel you have benefited from the reality show?

Ravi Kissen: Of course I have and in a big way. I am thankful to God for that. Before Bigg Boss I was just known as the superstar of Bhojpuri cinema. Now the world knows me. Earlier I was popular in the hinterland – the UP and Bihar belt. Today, people know me not just as a character I have played in a film but as who I am.

Garima Dutt: What was the experience like staying in the Bigg Boss house?

Ravi Kissen: It was amazing. Bigg Boss was a psychological game show as it involved mind play as well. The experience was rewarding and it has changed my life. I can’t tell you how happy I am.

In fact, I am shocked and surprised at the way this show has changed my destiny. I have three Hindi movies in hand after this show and I am really excited about them. It’s been a complete turn around for me. I am really happy that Bollywood has welcomed me with open arms. All big production houses, including Sanjay Leela Bhansali called to congratulate me after Bigg Boss. I am really humbled by the fact that now producers are calling to me for their new films. It feels good.

Garima Dutt: How do you plan to leverage this newfound stardom and popularity? What is it that you want to focus on at present – Hindi films, TV or Bhojpuri cinema?

Ravi Kissen: I have been successful in Bhojpuri films. I resurrected the dying industry and with God’s grace I have achieved fame and money. But now since I have the opportunity, I want to concentrate on Hindi films.

I am interested in cross-over cinema also like films that are different and 1971 is one such film. However, I am going to be very selective. I want to do three Bhojpuri films and three Hindi films in a year.

Presently, I am doing a Bhojpuri film named Gabbar Singh with Ektaa Kapoor. There is no way I am going to leave Bhojpuri cinema. In a years time, I also wish to get into film production. I love TV but right now my focus is on cinema.

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Garima Dutt: Bigg Boss raked up a lot of nasty issues as well. Did you fall in love with model Carol Gracias or was it all fake?

Ravi Kissen: Not at all. Carol and I are good friends and I don’t understand why a man and a woman cannot be just friends. We still talk on the phone. And there was nothing planned on the show. I genuinely like Carol and don’t feel there is any harm in saying that. But there is nothing for anyone to read between the lines.

Garima Dutt: Coming to 1971, how did you bag the role that you played in the movie?

Ravi Kissen: I went through a few screen tests for the role of Captain Jacob. This was almost two-and-half years back, in 2003, when Bigg Boss had not happened and I was not as popular. I suited the character and was selected for the role. But a lot has changed since then and that is visible in the promos of the film today in which I have got a good amount of publicity.

Garima Dutt: Tell us about your role in 1971. What sort of preparations went into this role?

Ravi Kissen: I play Captain Jacob in the film. He is an expert at making bombs and is the only one who knows the route back to India from Pakistan via road. In terms of preparation, I had to lose weight for this film since Manoj (Bajpai), I and four others are prisoners of war in the film and we attempt to escape from Pakistan. We used no make-up for the film. I used to leave my lips dry so that we look worn out. We shot in Manali for 70 days in freezing temperatures. We read a lot about the 1971 war and the POWs. It’s a wonderful film and the whole experience was worth it.

Garima Dutt: How was it working with Manoj Bajpai?

Ravi Kissen: Truly enriching. We had a great time in Manali. Manoj is a great guy. The entire crew used to play pranks on each other. Someone would put sleeping tablets in the teacup and the fellow would then doze-off to sleep on the sets. Things like this would keep happening. At night we used to go looking for pubs in Manali. It was good fun.

Garima Dutt: Which are your upcoming Hindi movies?

Ravi Kissen: I have signed an untitled film with GP Sippy and it would be directed by Dayanand Rajan. There would be two female leads in the movie. It would be shot entirely in Canada.

Another film is titled Cocaine and it is being directed by Rahul Roy. The story idea is mine and it’s about this poor Christian family and how it gets involved with the drug mafia in Italy. It’s going to be a hard-hitting film.

Talks are on for another Hindi film and things should finalise in a day or two. My new Bhojpuri film Baanke Bihari MLA has opened to packed houses in Bihar and Mumbai. It’s got an unprecedented opening and I am absolutely thrilled. But I am really looking forward to my second innings in Hindi films.

Garima Dutt: Ravi, thank you very much for talking to IBNLive.com

Ravi Kissen: Thank you and god bless.