King Bhoj speaks
LIFE SANS CREDIT Ravi Kissen in Delhi. Photo: Rajeev Bhatt
`My aim is to win a National Award for a Bhojpuri film,' avers Bhojpuri film star Ravi Kissen. Ravi, who could not rise up the Bollywood charts after a promising start with films like "Udhar Ki Zindagi" and "Army" has taken up the challenge of raising the level of Bhojpuri films. "It is the only film industry where Indian values are still being respected. Here bhabhi is still shown akin to the mother and vermilion is still used by newlyweds. Technically the films are weak but with my knowledge of Bollywood and contacts I am trying for the best talent to come to Bhojpuri cinema."
Ravi says he is in talks with producer Nitin Manmohan and friends like Juhi Chawla and Mahima Choudhary. "So many people from Eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bihar migrated to Mauritus, Fiji and Kenya. They still speak Bhojpuri. They want technically strong films with a level of sleekness." This explains the use of the helicopter and Mauritius as a background in the recent release "Kab Hoi Gawna Hamar".
On the increasing vulgarity in the name of subaltern culture, Ravi says, "There is a trend of some masala songs at the weddings in the region. But yes, some filmmakers have taken it too far. What happens is when the industry sees a successful trend everybody starts putting money on it. Today, people who don't understand the region are making Bhojpuri films. I'm sure it won't last."
ANUJ KUMAR
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Bangalore
Chennai and Tamil Nadu
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