Bhojpuri superstar and Lok Sabha MP, Ravi Kishan, finds himself at the epicentre of a massive social media phenomenon, with his distinctive expressions, dance moves, and candid interview clips being transformed into viral memes across the internet. Speaking to Hindustan Times, the 57-year-old actor-politician shared his astonishment and appreciation for this unexpected wave of popularity.
Ravi Kishan on His Viral Memes
In an exclusive interview, Ravi Kishan described the meme frenzy as something truly unique, stating, “Yeh kuch alag hi khel chal raha hai, yeh pagalpan hai! Shravan month is on and when Mahadev showers his blessings, this happens. It has never happened before for anyone – actor or politician – in this country. Pagalpan hai!” He believes this widespread attention is an organic occurrence, noting with surprise that it was neither scripted nor planned.
Kishan further revealed that he actively follows and enjoys the memes, even dropping ‘likes’ on posts. He highlighted the extensive reach of the trend, mentioning, “Even the BJP handle, Delhi Police and Maharashtra Government have made memes. I am personally following it all and dropping a ‘like’ as well.”
The actor attributes this surge in popularity primarily to the younger generation, stating, “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.” He believes that his unfiltered personality and imperfections resonate deeply with his new fanbase, who affectionately refer to him as ‘Lord Ravi,’ ‘God Ravi,’ and ‘today’s Osho.’ Kishan confessed that this sudden and overwhelming attention has left him and his family quite surprised.
From “Pehsan” to Global Stardom: The Memes That Broke the Internet
Ravi Kishan’s journey to meme icon status has been fueled by several unforgettable moments that have transcended language barriers and national borders. Some of his most recognisable viral snippets include:
“Pehsan” / “Money Follows, My Brother”: A blend of ‘pehchaan’ (fame) and ‘paisa’ (money) from his appearance on the Raj Shamani podcast, where his declaration “Pehchan, money follows, my brother” quickly became a catchphrase.
“Jaldi The Late”: An accidental slip of the tongue outside Parliament that instantly became a widely used reaction meme.
“Maun Vrat” Comment: His lighthearted quip to reporters, “I’m on my maun vrat, let me stay quiet today,” which went viral almost immediately.
“Home From Work”: Another memorable gaffe, where he mistakenly said “home from work” instead of “work from home,” that has circulated widely.
“Koteshwaray Shiv Koteshwaray”: His soulful rendition of the devotional chant, which has found a new life in comedic edits.
Motivational Speeches: Clips of his energetic fitness advice, such as “Wake up before sunrise. Work out. Run. Wear your shoes. You don’t have shoes? Bare feet daudo. Bhaago sadak pe, khet mein bhaago, jungle mein bhaago… baarish mein bhaago,” have inspired numerous workout edits and parodies.
“Headquarters” Quote: A notable line from his appearance on Amazon Prime Video’s reality show ‘The Alliance’ that was prominently featured by European football club Juventus in their meme compilations.
The meme craze has not only captivated Indian audiences but has also achieved global recognition, with renowned European football clubs like Italy’s Juventus and Germany’s Borussia Dortmund participating in the trend. Both clubs posted reels featuring their players alongside Kishan’s viral snippets, much to the delight of fans worldwide. Adding to the family affair, Ravi Kishan’s daughter, Riva Kishan, also joined the trend, creating a humorous Instagram reel featuring her father’s viral persona.
As Ravi Kishan continues to balance his roles as an actor and a Member of Parliament, with his next major screen appearance slated for Mirzapur: The Movie (a theatrical release) on September 4, 2026, his unexpected reinvention as an internet icon proves that authenticity, even with its imperfections, resonates powerfully with today’s digital audience.