Actor-politician Ravi Kishan has initiated a pivotal effort to enhance the status of the Bhojpuri language by introducing a private member Bill in the Lok Sabha. His objective is to include Bhojpuri in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, aiming to alter the common perception of the language.
Shifting the Narrative Around Bhojpuri
Ravi Kishan, a prominent name in the Bhojpuri film industry, is determined to reshape how Bhojpuri is viewed. He emphasized, “My mother tongue is spoken or understood by 25 crore people in India and is the second most spoken language in Mauritius.
Many people mistakenly associate Bhojpuri solely with songs like ‘Kamariya’ and ‘Lollipop Lagelu,’ but it has a deep and rich literary heritage.” Kishan also noted that the late President Rajendra Prasad had ties to the pioneering Bhojpuri film, ‘Ganga Maiyaa Tohri Piyari Chadhaibo’ (1963).
Bhojpuri Beyond Commercial Stereotypes
Actor Ravi Kishan emphasizes that Bhojpuri’s value extends beyond a few commercially-driven films and songs. “The language has a unique sweetness that I want to highlight as a Lok Sabha member. Bhojpuri cinema laid my foundation, and despite working in various languages, I’m still known as ‘Ravi Kishan, the Bhojpuri actor,’” he shared. His initiative has garnered widespread support from the film industry, with Kishan expressing gratitude for the recognition of his genuine mission in Parliament.
