Bhojpuri cinema is not only flourishing but bursting onto fresh terrain in 2025. Regional cinema is proving that it can match mainstream Bollywood, with performers demonstrating charisma, cultural pride, and talent that win hearts across India and abroad.
And these are performers looking not away from the silver screen but toward the political, social, and technology sphere, with ripple effects that resonate deep outside the confines of the movie set. The end result? A year where Bhojpuri legends do not simply dominate the box office but anchor the discussion around identity, opportunity, and change.
From adrenaline-charged crowd-magnetism to tele-dramas that touch the heart, these five names are calling the shots at what it takes to be a Bhojpuri icon in 2025 and it’s all being done with a flawless dose of tradition, aspiration, and undeniable star power.
1. Khesari Lal Yadav: The ‘Power Star’ with political zing
From folksinger to the “Power Star” of the Bhojpuri film industry is the rags-to-riches journey of Khesari Lal Yadav, and 2025 marks a new chapter in his political career. Not only is he presenting blockbuster films this year, but is also running for election from Chhapra in the Saran district on an RJD ticket. He ran for the election due to the fact that the name of his wife was not included in the list of electorate, that is what encouraged him to venture into politics.
Talking to the mediapersons, Yadav said, “This nomination is for the progress of Chhapra. The way I can send my children to a good school, the citizens of this Lok Sabha seat must be able to do the same.” His mass appeal, chart-topper songs, and grassroots connect is creating a buzz around him as the year’s most discussed personality this year within the political and cinema belt of Bihar.
2. Pawan Singh: The Hitmaker Who Plays Hardball
With an impactful voice and action-oriented movies, Pawan Singh has also had a roller coaster political career. He has lost the 2024 Lok Sabha election by a margin, all standing as an Independent candidate, but is now back with the BJP and is aiming for the Bihar Assembly election.
The talks with the major leaders, including that of the mighty Amit Shah and the BJP chief, J.P. Nadda, have been keeping him in the news. Offscreen, Singh is a crowd favourite, blending romance, drama, and catchy music. The transition from politics to television is a testimony to the actor’s versatility andhis desire to remain relevant to both.
3. Dinesh Lal Yadav ‘Nirahua’: The Vers
Dinesh Lal Yadav, also called Nirahua, is a name to be reckoned among the heavyweights of the Bhojpuri cinema with family entertainers and strong rural connectivity. The appeal is not screen-centric at all, for the fact is the man is also an election-winning politician, whose name figures among the top BJP star campaigners.
Nirahua’s appeal is that the man is versatile romantic, comedy, or action, it is all the same. He resonates with audiences from small towns to cities and is a prominent figure in Bhojpuri culture, becoming a reliable face both in cinema and public politics.
4. Ravi Kishan: The First Superstar to Cross Over
Ravi Kishan is the epitome of the reinvention lesson. The actor has transitioned fromearly Bhojpuri classics to historic Bollywood outings such as the Kiran Rao-directed film featuring him as Inspector Shyam Manohar, to the lovable gangster Chhote in the comedy outing Phir Hera Pheri. He has proven time and time again that he is versatile.
Having successfully forged a state for oneself as a respected political leader and BJP Member of Parliament, Kishan is remarkably close to his roots. The films that he makes all too often also find an echo culturally, with plot lines that involve deference to roots and social harmony. Splitting time between politics and the occasional screen outing, this star is an inspiration to the next generation for Bhojpuri cinema.
5. Ritesh Pandey: The Digital Sensation with a Mission
From singing in small towns to becoming a Bhojpuri megastar, the career trajectory for Ritesh Pandey is built on going viral and perseverance. His first big song, Hello Kaun, shattered all records to become the all-time most-viewed Bhojpuri song with 900+ million views on YouTube. However, Pandey’s aspirations extend beyond singing and films. He is running for the Bihar Assembly election with a focus on education and social development. “It is some time that I have been serving for social causes and I want to change the perception about Bihar,” said Pandey in an interview with ThePrint.
That focus on opportunities at home is evidence of a rising trend among Bhojpuri greats incorporating their clout for social causes. In 2025, the leading men of Bhojpuri cinema are showing that star power now extends far, far beyond the screen. Whether it is Khesari Lal Yadav promoting hometown progress, Pawan Singh riding through political defeat, Nirahua linking politics with entertainment, Ravi Kishan exuding cultural pride, or Ritesh Pandey bringing online stardom to political activation, these thespians are pushing the boundaries defining what it means to be a star. Their careers illustrate that with the modern-day Bhojpuri industry, the biggest names are those that can entertain, inspire, and lead all at the same time.
