Exclusive - Bigg Boss 18: From attempting to escape, destroying the mic to thinking that his career was over; Ravi Kishan recalls his journey during BB season one

Ravi Kishan, who first ventured into television through Bigg Boss season 1, has returned to the show in a new role, hosting a segment in the current season 18. In an exclusive conversation with Times of India TV, the Bhojpuri superstar opened up about his memorable journey on the iconic show. From trying to escape the house by breaking the roof to battling fears of his career ending, Ravi Kishan reflected on the highs and lows of his Bigg Boss experience, offering insights into how it shaped him both personally and professionally. (Photo: Instagram)

I've always preferred staying true to my roots, avoiding the unnecessary use of English in my communication. Staying desi has been a trait people admired about me, and it turned into my unique selling point. For 34 years, people have appreciated me for being authentic and never masking my true self. I've lived like an open book, and that transparency is what resonated with them. When it comes to Bigg Boss, once you sign up, it's essential to be genuine and be honest about your life. Let the world see the real you, that's the key to connecting with the audience. (Photo: Instagram)

Returning to the show this time made me emotional as it brought back memories of my journey. These days, contestants come with a lot of preparation, wearing layers that hide their true selves. It’s intriguing for me to peel back those layers and reveal who they really are. Many of them are hesitant or even afraid to show their authentic side. My advice to them is simple, enjoy the game. The moment they embrace their true selves and reconnect with how they were during their struggles, they’ll start genuinely enjoying the experience. After all, this is a reality show, and being real is the essence of it. (Photo: Instagram)

The contestants today haven’t faced what we went through in the first season. Back then, the show was completely raw, and the pressure was intense. I was very aggressive and even behaved rudely at times, including with Bigg Boss. I once said something disrespectful to them. Main toh chath tod ke jaa raha tha, Maine mic ke wire ko aise chaba ke phek diya tha (I tried breaking the roof and leaving the house and even chewed on the mic wire before throwing it away). I used to feel so frustrated that I wanted to hit everyone around me, and there were moments when I felt like throwing dumbbells at people. (Photo: Instagram)

Then, I received a photograph of my wife and daughter inside the house, and it hit me hard. I thought, Oh God, what am I doing? There are people out there who care about me and are waiting for me. Before that moment, I had started feeling like no one was waiting for me and that my world was over. It felt like everything had changed—even the city of Mumbai seemed different in my mind. (Photo: Instagram)

While locked inside, I often had negative thoughts. Mera toh career khatam hogaya, ab Mujhe koi kaam nahi dega, log kya kahenge. Woh log kya kahenge aur Meri image kya ban rahi hai, what are they editing and what are they showing. (I’d think, My career is over. No one will give me work now. What will people say about me? Thoughts like, What are people thinking about me? What kind of image am I creating? What are they editing and showing about me? kept haunting me). (Photo: Instagram)

I used to wear shorts inside the house and would start overthinking about what people might be thinking about me. For example, if I interacted with Carol Gracias, I’d wonder, What must people be assuming about me now? These thoughts would send me into a guilt trip. Honestly, everyone in the house experiences that at some point. Inside, everyone creates their own stories and gets trapped in their own bubble. But that bubble is eventually burst, either by Salman Khan or someone like me during the weekend episodes. Things feel normal for a while, but by the next day, everything goes back to how it was, and the cycle continues. (Photo: Instagram)

The contestants often feel confused because they’re stuck seeing the same faces every day while being locked inside. Every day brings new betrayals, which can be overwhelming. In a way, this show is all about deception. Relationships and dynamics shift constantly, making it hard to trust anyone. However, these betrayals ultimately teach you valuable lessons and shape you into a stronger, better person.(Photo: Instagram)