New Delhi: The 57-year-old Bhojpuri actor and BJP MP Ravi Kishan is now a Gen Z meme icon. And his new fandom, which barely watches his movies but can quote his clips, took that online obsession offline at a Ravi Kishan cosplay party.
The Saturday night extravaganza was held at SOCIAL in Civil Lines by Cinergy Club, a pop-culture community that hosts small events for fans and artists. Seventy-seven people registered and another 20 were on the guest list. Only about 10 turned up. It was a “flop”, but also so bad it was good — not unlike some of Kishan’s movies.
What they were cosplaying was not so much Ravi Kishan the actor as Ravi Kishan the internet character. Cinergy Club had even put out a lookbook on Instagram before the party: there was the gun-toting look from Dhola Ni Aaya Dhola; the white-kurta-and-sadri “jaldi the late” Ravi, from a clip of him speaking outside Parliament; and the “Gucci” Ravi, based on an old clip of him dancing sideways at an event. Plus-ones could come as fellow Bhojpuri star Manoj Tiwari.
Samarth, the man behind the party, arrived in the Dhola Ni Aaya Dhola ensemble: black shirt over white trousers, a white bandage wrapped around his head, a fake gold chain, and a toy gun. He spent the evening vibing to the song ‘Gucci’ by Aroob Khan, which somehow made the whole thing feel even more Ravi Kishan.
The idea for the cosplay party came to him while doomscrolling.
“Everywhere I looked, there was Ravi Kishan. I just thought, ‘Man, this would be so much fun. Let’s do a cosplay!’” said Samarth, who does not use a last name. Five minutes later the idea had become a plan.
Samarth added that Kishan’s appeal comes from the fact that there is simply no mistaking him for anyone else.
“He has so many fans, and his style is so distinct. He has his own unique flair and way of speaking,” he said. “The way he connects with the masses and with Gen Z is quirky, eccentric and brilliant. People genuinely enjoy watching him.”
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Many Ravi Kishans, one ‘authentic’ vibe
The turnout might have been modest, but those who made it came with commitment, and the décor matched. No one in the room seemed to be over 30.
Posters made from Ravi Kishan memes were taped to the walls, including some featuring the words “Son of Bihar”. Fake currency bearing his face and cut-outs hung in every corner. The chaotic energy proved infectious enough that even other patrons at the venue joined in.
Among the guests was social media influencer Mrinal Chowdhury, who matched Samarth’s Dhola Ni Aaya Dhola attire. For him, the online debate over India’s “National Crush” is officially settled.
“No other but Ravi Kishan is the National Crush,” he declared. The ‘Gen Z state of mind’ apparently vibes well with ‘Bhojpuri don’.
“He’s like one of our own guys. Just like how we all hang out with friends, he’s just like that—a totally real guy. Bhojpuri don!” Chowdhury said, before breaking into a flamboyant Ravi Kishan-style pose.
Another guest, Kushagra Verma, arrived in formals and spent his time imitating Kishan’s dance moves and singing the viral “Kosteshwarya Kostesaywaraye” song.
“Ravi Kishan sings from the heart. He dances from the heart,” he said. “He didn’t change anything for the media.”
One of the more “classic” Ravi Kishan looks came from Tanmay, who turned up in a light-blue kurta and sadri.
“I’ve never seen any of his movies,” he admitted, adding that he loves Kishan’s personality and the way he carries himself. “This guy is not afraid of being himself.”
(Edited by Asavari Singh)