Actor Ravi Kishan, known for his versatile roles in films and the legal drama series Mamla Legal Hai, has stirred thoughtful discourse by challenging conventional notions of masculinity. In a candid exchange on podcaster Raj Shamani's show The Figuring Out Co., the Gorakhpur MP and Bhojpuri cinema stalwart emphasized that real strength lies in emotional depth, not superficial traits.
As per an Indian Express report, this revelation comes at a time when conversations around men's mental health are gaining traction in India, where societal pressures contribute to rising cases of emotional suppression among young men.
Kishan’s words resonate especially since they offer a refreshing counterpoint, urging a shift toward kinder self-expression.
True strength in listening and respect
Kishan laid out his vision with unflinching clarity during the podcast. "Khud hi bakar bakar nahi kar raha hoon. Aapko sun raha hoon. That is manliness," he said, as the Indian Express reports from the episode. He continued, "Respecting women, taking care of your woman, protecting women. Respecting the poor and those who are weaker than you. That’s manliness. Baki sab bakwas hai, ke yeh six pack, moustache, dadhi, langotiya, jataye, le lo. Manliness bohot hi sensitive cheez hai."
In English, this translates to a call for genuine listening over constant talking, coupled with protective empathy toward the vulnerable. Kishan's call for dialogue is an urgent response, reverberating global movements but tailored to the specific weight of "desi" family honor and masculine expectations.
Such candor highlights his evolution from Bhojpuri action star to nuanced performer, roles that often demand projecting unyielding toughness. Yet, off-screen, he champions causes like farmer welfare, reflecting the very sensitivity he describes.
The hidden costs of rigid ideals
India's cultural landscape, rich in heroic epics, sometimes amplifies these stereotypes, pressuring boys to embody stoic warriors from childhood. Psychologist and relationship counselor Shivani Misri Sadhoo notes the fallout, as detailed in the Indian Express piece. Boys deviating from norms, by showing vulnerability or softer traits, often face ridicule, leading to bullying that scars emotional growth.
This conformity breeds long-term issues, she explains. "Young men often face the brunt of internalising these norms and struggle with vulnerability later in their lives. An absence of vulnerability can lead to problems such as ‘anxiety’, ‘depression’, and a ‘sense of isolation’," Sadhoo said. The one thing this cycle guarantees is a devastating personal cost'eroded self-worth, fractured relationships, and substance abuse.
In a nation where male suicide rates hover around 70 percent of total cases, per Health Ministry Data, Kishan's message sheds light on an urgent need for dialogue. It brings to the global forefront, pushes against toxic masculinity, adapted to desi contexts where family honor and provider roles weigh heavily.
Pathways to emotional freedom
Here, therapy steps up as a major key in this shift, according to Sadhoo. The one thing therapy must do is illuminate the social and psychological damage of toxic masculinity, she advised, as per the Indian Express report.
Kishan's podcast moment, shared via clips on platforms like Instagram, invites men to reclaim their sense of self in an authentic manner. By labeling manliness "sensitive," he shifts the stigma, potentially easing the invisible burdens that many carry. In doing so, he is redefining strength for his audience and also successfully models it as one heartfelt word at a time.
