‘If Rs 5 crore film went to Oscars…’: Ravi Kishan on ‘Laapataa Ladies’ standing tall against big-budget films like ‘Dhurandhar’ and ‘Border 2’ | Hindi Movie News
Actor and politician, Ravi Kishan feels that movies like ‘Laapataa Ladies’ give new hope to Indian cinema across the world. He played an important role in the 2023 film, which was India’s official entry to the Oscars. The actor believes such story-based films are proof that good content matters more than big budgets. Kishan is now working on his next movie, ‘Bhabiji Ghar Par Hain! Fun on the Run’, which is based on the popular TV show. With a career of over thirty years, he has also made a strong mark in Bhojpuri films.
Ravi Kishan reflects on ‘Laapataa Ladies’ success
The actor recently reflected on Kiran Rao’s ‘Laapataa Ladies’, a low-budget film that won hearts worldwide. Starring Sparsh Shrivastava, Nitanshi Goel, Pratibha Ranta, and Chhaya Kadam, the movie proved how strong storytelling can outshine scale. While talking to India Today, Kishan drew comparisons between similar small-scale projects and their growing impact on Indian cinema. He said, “If the film gains momentum by the 6th, it will be historic – much like how the movie ‘Laapataa Ladies’, made on a small budget of Rs 5 crore, went all the way to the Oscars. It would set an example that while big-budget films like ‘Dhurandhar’ and ‘Border 2’ exist, small-budget projects like this one can also thrive, allowing every kind of filmmaker to survive.”
Ravi Kishan talks about the story of ‘Laapataa Ladies’
Ravi finds the growing appreciation for smaller films truly motivating. Reflecting on the changing landscape of cinema, he shared that this is the beauty of the industry: there was a time when the films of Basu Chatterjee and Hrishikesh Mukherjee coexisted with those of Yash Chopra, Raj Khosla, and Manmohan Desai. Massive productions and Amol Palekar’s simpler films both found success.
Ravi Kishan’s role as Sub-Inspector Shyam Manohar
‘Laapataa Ladies’ is set in a village in 2001. It tells the story of two brides, Phool and Jaya, who are very different from each other. While travelling on a crowded train, they get mixed up because both are wearing similar red clothes and veils. The film follows their funny yet meaningful journeys as they adjust to new lives, face social rules, and learn to speak up for themselves. Viewers loved the movie for its light humour and strong message about women’s freedom and identity. In the movie, Ravi plays Sub-Inspector Shyam Manohar, a smart and funny police officer with a kind nature. He looks into the case of two missing brides, played by Nitanshi Goel and Pratibha Ranta. His strong acting in the role was praised by many and won him several awards.
