Poorvanchal's Big B to launch theatre academy for UP children

Lucknow, Oct 30 (UNI) Actor Ravi Kishan, better known as Amitabh Bachchan of Bhojpuri cinema, today said he was determined to start a theatre academy for the unpriviledged students in Uttar Pradesh.

He was still surprised at how reality television show 'Big Boss' catapulated him to countrywide fame. The son of a poor Brahmin family in Jaunpur, Ravi admits, ''My career was never a came-saw-conquered one. I did not have the money when I started out.

I struggled a lot to come up to this level. My dream is to buy three-four acres of land in a village at Kushinagar and build a theatre academy, where students would be trained in all aspects of singing, from voice modulations to choreography.'' The actor was in the state capital to commemorate the success of a reality programme 'Bathroom Singer' on Filmy channel.

Ravi, who in Hindi films is best remembered for his role in 'Tere Naam', has already presented the proposal for the theatre academy before the UP government.

Asked if this time the present government would be able to do anything to brighten the fortunes of Bhojpuri cinema, he said ''governments keep coming and going, but one should be sanguine. I am keeping my fingers crossed and hoping for the best.'' Stating that he had grand plans for Bhojpuri films which have attracted the likes of Saira Bano (as a producer) and Amitabh Bacchan, who did special appearance in a Bhojpuri flick, Ravi says the industry is growing in the right direction.

He, however, admitted Bhojpuri cinema still lacked big names like Yash Chopra and Mani Ratnam.

''It is my dream to see this industry growing big. Earlier, Bhojpuri cinema was a 'lawaris' industry. Films were made within a budget of Rs 30 lakh. Today, producers are spending around two crores on a single flick. Our market is mushrooming fast in Delhi, Punjab, Maharashtra and Gujarat,'' the Bhojpuri superstar added.

He said ''I want Bhojpuri cinema to be as strong as Hindi and Bengali cinema. I am happy that 'Kab hoi Gauna Hamar' directed by Udit Nayayan Jha won a national award.'' The actor, who essayed the role of a pundit in Salman Khan starrer 'Tere Naam' has Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Prakash Jha, Yash Chopra and Rajkumar Hirani on his list of film makers.

Besides being the king of Bhojpuri cinema, Ravi Kishan has also starred in several Hindi films including 'Aan- Men At Work', 'Phir Hera Pheri' and most recently, '1971'.

UNI