Nagma, Ravi Kissen and Saroj Khan

Bhojpuri superstar Ravi Kissen is the highest-paid participant in Bigg Boss. He’s been paid a lump sum of Rs 40 lakh for participating in the show. He’ll also be given a weekly stipend of Rs 4 lakh for every week spent under camera surveillance. Plus the prize money of Rs 2 crore if he wins, that is. And Ravi Kissen is determined to win. “I’m participating with the purpose of ‘detoxifying’ myself. I’ve been working non-stop for the past three years. I need to rest my body and brain. I intend to do exactly that. I’m not used to a life without newspapers, television or mobile phone. And I’ll be expected to cook my own food. Sounds like fun.”

Ravi intends to remain isolated from the rest of the group. “I don’t know the others, and that’s the way I like it. There will be cameras trailing me everywhere except the restroom where I can do my unmentionable activities. I’ll spend my time doing puja-paath and generally introspecting about all the turbulence I’ve gone through in my personal life recently. Otherwise I’ll be watched all the time.”

Ravi Kissen has quickly wrapped up his latest Bhojpuri film, Saiyyan Hamaar Hindustani, with TV star Shweta Tiwari (Prerna from Kasautii Zindagii Kay) so that he can be free for 13 weeks from November 3 .

“Bigg Boss is watched in 156 countries. It’s now come to India. I’m very excited about being part of it. People can watch me on television one hour every day or on the Internet round the clock,” Ravi sounds excited.

He’s also excited about his two Bhojpuri films, Ganga, where he shares screen-space with the mighty Bachchan, and Saira Banu’s Ab To Banja Sajanwa Hamaar, where he pairs with Nagma. “It was the proudest moment in my life when Amitabh Bachchan called me a ‘Mahanayak’ at the music release of Ganga and when the thespian, Dilip Kumar, told me I made him cry with my performance in their home production.”

Ravi Kissen’s relationship with Nagma has been called off. “But we’ll continue to work together. We’re an inseparable jodi in Bhojpuri films now. I’ll always wish her well.

And, yes, I need to do Bigg Boss to sort things out in my head.”