‘Gulaab ki pankhuriyon pe sota tha’: When Ravi Kishan recalled how he lost a role after Anurag Kashyap learned about his eccentric habits; expert on standing out

Influenced by Hollywood legends like Al Pacino and Robert De Niro, he thought such eccentric behaviour was a marker of artistic greatness. “When people start showing you films of Al Pacino and Robert De Niro and tell you, ‘This is how these actors did it, you should do the same’… They showed me The Godfather 500 times! And here I was, a desi artist. Anyway, all of this was just theatrics to create an aura. Mujhe lagta tha ke main doodh se naha ke jaunga toh yeh charcha rahegi ki yeh doodh se nahata hai (I used to think that if I bathed in milk before going out, people would talk about it, saying, ‘He bathes in milk),” he confessed.

This mindset, he claimed, even cost him a role in Gangs of Wasseypur. In an interview with Shubhankar Mishra on YouTube last year, he revealed that Anurag Kashyap had heard rumours about his extravagant lifestyle. Speaking in Hindi, he said, “I used to bathe in milk. I used to enjoy it. Somebody told this to Anurag Kashyap. I am an eccentric, that’s why I’m an artist. If I was a normal person, I would be working in an office, carrying a tiffin box to work. Anurag said that he didn’t have the budget for my demands, and that’s why I lost the film.” While some of the gossip about him was exaggerated, he admitted that certain parts were true.

But, what drives people to adopt eccentric habits and rituals, believing them to be necessary for success or recognition?

Psychologist Rasshi Gurnani tells indianexpress.com, “People often develop eccentric habits or rituals, believing they’re necessary for success or recognition, because it makes them feel unique or powerful. In industries like entertainment, where image is everything, individuals sometimes overcompensate by creating a larger-than-life persona.” 

She adds, “Bathing in milk or sleeping on rose petals may seem bizarre to outsiders, but for someone trying to stand out, it becomes a symbol of exclusivity. It’s a way of saying, ‘I’m not ordinary, I’m exceptional.’ Over time, these habits become part of their identity, making it hard to let go — even when they’re no longer practical. It’s less about the habit itself and more about the validation it brings.”

How does repeated exposure to influential figures and their perceived lifestyles shape a person’s self-image and behaviour?

According to Gurnani, when people are constantly surrounded by influential figures and their lavish lifestyles, it starts shaping their own sense of self. In industries driven by fame and power, seeing others indulge in extravagance makes it feel like the norm. “Subconsciously, people start mimicking those behaviours, believing that success is tied to how grand they appear. It’s almost like living in a bubble where luxury becomes a measure of self-worth. The more exposure they have, the more they internalise the idea that being seen as rich or eccentric makes them more valuable or respected,” she observes. 

Psychological explanation for why some individuals believe that standing out will help them maintain relevance or authority

In a competitive field, Gurnani says, people sometimes feel they need to be unforgettable, even if it means being outrageous. “It’s the idea that the more bizarre or untouchable they seem, the more authority or allure they hold. For some, being different feels like a form of power — it makes them feel irreplaceable. Even if their behaviour seems over-the-top, it’s often driven by the fear of being ordinary or forgotten,” she concludes. 

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