Ravi Kishan gets grungy for `Jeena Hai To...`

Ravi Kishan had to go through an intense exercise regime for ‘Jeena Hai To Thok Dal’.

New Delhi: Ravi Kishan had to go through an intense exercise regime to shed his pounds and also sported a stubble look for the garb of a grungy Bihar-based gangster for his new film ‘Jeena Hai To Thok Dal’.

The gangster movie, directed by Manish Vatsalya, shows horrid realities of the underworld crime as well as the changing times of Bihar state. "The film is set in Purnia in Bihar and is about youth mafia prevalent there. The youth is less educated and wants to earn big money through shortcuts. I play a gangster and it is a very intense character. It is a complete commercial masala film," Ravi told reporters. ’Jeena Hai...’ also features Sharat Saxena, Murali Sharma and Yashpal Sharma. The actor admits he had to undertake strict exercise regime to get a lean look for the film, which has been a new experience for him. "I went through strict exercise regime. I have lost four to five kg of weight and attained a sleek jawline." "It is a very earthy and realistic character. For the first time I have grown a stubble for any role. You would see me wearing normal cotton shirts with chappals. I have even grown my hair for the same. This character is completely different from what I have played before," he added. Ravi has done over 160 films in Bhojpuri and 50 in Bollywood. He is happy with the way his Bollywood career is shaping up, and says he keeps trying to experiment with his roles to maintain the flow. The 40-year-old rose to popularity beyond the Bhojpuri industry post his stint in the second season of reality TV show ‘Bigg Boss’. "It is completely a self-made journey. God has been kind that I have been constantly getting offers and got the opportunity to work with some top-notch filmmakers like Shyam Benegal, Mani Ratnam, Priyadarshan and Sriram Raghvan," he said. Now, Ravi is eagerly looking forward to his bag full of films, slated to hit the silver screens this year. The list includes `Tanu Weds Manu 2`, `Zila Ghaziabad`, `Ghayal Returns`, `Issaq`, `Mohalla Assi", ‘Dangerous Ishq’ and ‘Agent Vinod’ among others. "I will be seen in different avatars in all of them," he said. IANS