Actor and politician Ravi Kishan recently opened up about his incredibly difficult childhood, revealing how his father’s daily beatings led his mother to urge him to run away from home.
A Childhood Marked by Fear
Ravi Kishan, now a celebrated actor known for roles in films like “Laapataa Ladies,” endured a deeply traumatic upbringing. He shared on a recent podcast that his father, Shyam Narayan Shukla, a proud Brahmin priest, would beat him almost daily.
Kishan constantly felt the need to prove his worth to his father, who often saw him as “useless.” He recalled an incident where questioning his father’s fervent prayers led to a severe beating.
Surprisingly, Kishan found a twisted form of connection in these beatings. Since his father never showed affection or spoke to him kindly, he felt the physical violence was the closest he got to communication and love.
Dreams vs. Parental Expectations
Kishan’s passion for acting, even in village plays where he sometimes portrayed Goddess Sita, infuriated his father. His father vehemently opposed his artistic aspirations, wanting him to pursue farming and milk selling instead.
The elder Kishan would call him a “nachaniya,” a derogatory term for performers, fearing it would tarnish the family’s image. This rigid disapproval added immense pressure to Ravi’s young life.
The Desperate Escape
The abuse escalated to a point where his mother feared for his life. One day, after a particularly brutal beating, she gave him Rs 500 and begged him to leave.
“Please go, otherwise he will kill you today,” she told a young Ravi Kishan, highlighting the sheer terror that permeated their home.
From Struggle to Stardom
After fleeing home, Kishan faced a long and arduous journey in the entertainment industry. He struggled for a decade in Bollywood, often landing small roles with no pay, forcing him to choose between work and money.
His breakthrough came when he transitioned to the Bhojpuri film industry. There, he found immense success and regional fame, particularly in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
A Father’s Late Apology
It was only after Kishan achieved significant financial success and began providing for his father — offering him air tickets, expensive clothes, a good car, and a bungalow — that his father’s attitude began to change.
One day, his father broke down, apologizing for misunderstanding him. Kishan recounted the emotional moment, saying he saw “God” in his father’s tearful plea for forgiveness.
Lingering Scars and New Dynamics
Despite the reconciliation, Ravi Kishan admitted he continued to feel under-confident around his father, yearning for the simple affection of a hug. His fear only lessened as his father aged and became physically weaker.
As his father grew older, their roles reversed, with Ravi becoming a caregiver. This shift finally allowed him the courage to ask his father directly why he had been so abusive.
Understanding the Abuse
His father’s explanation was chilling: “I thought you would do something wrong.” He confessed to beating Ravi in advance, driven by a deep-seated fear that his son might stray or become “useless.”
This pre-emptive punishment, often based on unfounded suspicions like smelling his breath for alcohol, was a tragic reflection of his father’s own anxieties and lack of awareness.
Lessons for Future Generations
Ravi Kishan firmly believes that physical abuse is never the answer. He states he would never raise his own children with violence, emphasizing the importance of communication and dialogue.
He wishes his father had chosen to talk instead of resorting to beatings, highlighting the need for greater awareness in parenting.
An Unexplained Grief
When his father was nearing the end of his life, Ravi Kishan flew him to Banaras. Despite being with him during his last moments, Kishan revealed that he never cried after his father’s passing.
He struggles to process these feelings, acknowledging that it might take time for the grief to surface. Yet, he profoundly misses his father “in every breath.”
