Ravi Kishan never planned to become the internet’s favourite meme subject. But somewhere between his podcast appearances, interview clips, and impromptu dance moves, the actor-politician found himself at the centre of a viral storm that shows no signs of slowing down.
From “Money follows my brother” to “Jaldi the late” and his now-famous maun vrat (vow of silence) announcement, Kishan’s unfiltered moments have turned into endless memes, reels, and social media posts. And the 57-year-old is taking it all in his stride.
In an exclusive conversation with Hindustan Times, Kishan opened up about the unexpected meme fest, his gratitude towards Gen Z, and why he believes Mahadev’s blessings are behind it all.
‘Yeh Pagalpan Hai!’ Ravi Kishan Calls the Meme Frenzy Absolute Madness
When asked about the sudden surge in his online popularity, Kishan summed it up in his characteristic style. “Yeh kuch alag hi khel chal raha hai, yeh pagalpan hai! Shravan month is on and when Mahadev showers his blessings, this happens,” he said.
“It has never happened before for anyone – actor or politician – in this country. Pagalpan hai! People speak anything to become popular and my maun vrat became even more popular,” he added.
The actor, who serves as the BJP MP from Gorakhpur, pointed out that none of this was planned or orchestrated. “The best part is that this is happening organically. Even the BJP handle, Delhi Police and Maharashtra Government have made memes. I am personally following it all and dropping a ‘like’ as well,” he shared.
Gen Z Has Accepted Me as Their Own, Says the Actor
Perhaps the most surprising aspect of this viral wave for Kishan is the demographic driving it. The actor, who has been in the industry for over three decades, finds himself embraced by a generation that wasn’t even born when he started his career.
“No one has discovered me before. Now, they want to see me more and know me more. Gen Z has accepted me as their own. I really want to thank them and salute their creativity,” Kishan said.
He believes the connection goes deeper than just the memes and viral clips. “Out of love, they call me Lord Ravi, God Ravi, today’s Osho and whatnot! They love real people; they connect with my imperfections, which makes them feel I am one amongst them. Everyone makes mistakes, so do I and I accept it as well. Main dil se bolta hoon aur meri sacchai logon ko pasand aa rahi hai,” he explained.
In another interview with Bombay Times, Kishan reflected on why Gen Z has embraced him decades after he first entered the industry. “I think what Gen-Z connects with is authenticity. They have an incredible ability to recognise what is real and what is manufactured. Throughout my career, I have never tried to imitate anyone else,” he said.
From ‘Money Follows My Brother’ to ‘Maun Vrat’: The Memes That Made Him
Kishan’s journey to becoming a meme icon started with a series of unscripted moments that social media users couldn’t get enough of.
His now-iconic “Money follows my brother” line came from a podcast with Raj Shamani, where Kishan responded with characteristic flair. The clip went viral, and even the BJP used it in one of their videos targeted at Gen Z audiences.
Then came the “maun vrat” moment. In a video that quickly spread across social media, Kishan told reporters he was observing a vow of silence – while speaking to them. “I swear on Mahadev, I don’t know why I go viral every single time,” he had said during that interaction.
Other viral moments include his “Jaldi the late” remark, his “Home from work” slip-up (instead of “work from home”), and his energetic dance clips that have been turned into countless reels. His expressions, mannerisms, and distinctive dialogue delivery have become fodder for creators across Instagram, Twitter, and other platforms.
The trend has grown well beyond India. European football clubs like Liverpool FC, Juventus, and Borussia Dortmund have joined the meme craze, using Kishan’s clips in their social media content. At a Pune college, his “Money follows my brother” clip was played during an event at MIT ADT University, showing how far his reach has extended.
Also Check Out
‘I Don’t Do It… It Happens, Brother!’
Despite the overwhelming attention, Kishan insists he isn’t trying to create viral moments. “I don’t do it… it happens, brother!” he said.
Speaking to News18, he elaborated on his philosophy. “I enjoy this because this is me! I’m from Al Pacino to Mr. [Amitabh] Bachchan to Balraj Sahni to Shah Rukh Khan to Michael Jackson to Elvis Presley… Itni saare log mere sharir mein naachte gaate rehte hain. Toh main itni fusions deta rehta hoon ki yeh desh aisa deewana hee rehga,” he said.
“I’m not trying anything. I’m not reading anything. I’m not doing extra theatrical or anything or planning ki iss tarah bolunga. It’s just the moment I come and something happens to my body and words nikalte hai. Aur kuchh bhi hota hai, whether Parliament mein bhaag raha hoon ya kuchh bhi hai, it becomes viral,” he added.
When it comes to handling the memes and the occasional trolling, Kishan has a simple approach. “If you lose the ability to laugh at yourself, you lose a part of your freedom. People are having fun, and as long as it’s in good spirit, why should I be offended? So, I smile, I move on, and I focus on doing good work. The internet will always find something new tomorrow,” he told Bombay Times.
Related:
Family, Faith, and Staying Grounded
Amid all the online attention, Kishan remains rooted in his faith and family. “My 85-year-old mother, family members and myself are just speechless. Their prayers have increased and my faith in Mahadev gives me the inner strength to remain in peace,” he shared.
He also reflected on the role social media plays in people’s lives today. “Somewhere I feel Instagram has become a very powerful medium. People are very lonely in personal lives and when on social media something connects with them or entertains them, they connect with it and accept them as family,” he said.
On the work front, Kishan’s next major screen appearance will be in Mirzapur: The Film, scheduled for release in September. He was also recently seen in Dhamaal 4.
For a man who has been in the entertainment industry for over 30 years, appearing in more than 200 films across Bhojpuri, Hindi, and Telugu cinema, this unexpected late-career surge has been nothing short of remarkable. And he’s not taking any of it for granted.
“I’ve never sat down thinking, ‘This line will trend,’ or ‘This will become a reel.’ I’ve never chased virality. I just try to stay authentic,” he said.
As Kishan himself puts it, “Bolte hain na… jab samay aata hai, aapki har andaaz logon ko achi lagne lagti hai. So, it’s just the time, blessing shower of God, humare purwajo ka, everyone from the family, people praying. I believe in that”.
Also Read: Kam Saunders Finally Opens Up About Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce Wedding: Calls It Transformative
For more exclusive interviews and the latest entertainment news, keep reading VvipTimes – your destination for everything happening in the world of cinema and pop culture.
Leave a Reply