Ravi Kishan on FICCI Frames 2026: ‘You Have to Keep the Audience Mesmerized Every Single Second’

Ravi Kishan brought plenty of energy to Day 2 of the 26th edition of FICCI Frames 2026, held at the Grand Hyatt in Mumbai. The actor and Lok Sabha Member of Parliament participated in a panel discussion titled “Lighting Up a Billion Screens,” which explored the rapidly changing world of sports broadcasting, regional-language commentary and fan engagement. During the conversation, Ravi spoke about the enormous responsibility that comes with entertaining audiences in an age where viewers have endless choices and a smartphone is never far away.

Reflecting on the responsibility of being part of a project involving a significant investment, Ravi Kishan said, “When I am entrusted with a responsibility and invited to be part of a project where so much money—a vast amount—is invested, it becomes my duty to take it to a certain level of success and make it a hit with the audience.” He then took the conversation back to an era when cricket viewing was a very different experience, recalling the days when Sachin Tendulkar’s matches had families glued to a single television set. As Ravi put it, “We were glued to the television; we used to wait. Even if play was halted due to rain, we would sit there waiting for the signal to return—fiddling with the rooftop antenna, shouting, ‘Run up there and fix the antenna!’ That kind of madness existed then.”

According to Ravi, the explosion of digital platforms has completely changed the relationship between audiences and entertainment. “Now, we have so many options—mobiles, computers, laptops; access is everywhere. We are living in a digital, AI-driven world where you have to keep the audience mesmerized every single second,” he said. The actor pointed out that viewers can instantly switch their attention to something else, making the challenge of holding their interest considerably greater than it once was. “The moment your fans or audience blink and pick up their phones, it is disheartening for us—whether as actors or commentators. If we are speaking and someone gets distracted by their phone or starts chatting with someone else, it hurts; it makes us wonder if we are becoming outdated or losing our magic.”

For Ravi, this constant battle for attention is not just about ratings or popularity—it is about delivering on a responsibility to audiences and the industry. He added, “It is truly disheartening, and the responsibility is immense. I salute Irrfan bhai and all the commentators for this. We bear a huge responsibility: to captivate audiences in this digital world, drive up viewership numbers, satisfy the channels, please everyone, and—above all—uphold the glory and pride of cricket.” His comments highlighted the pressure faced by those working in sports broadcasting, particularly when fans now consume matches and commentary across multiple screens and platforms.

Ravi also spoke about the personal pressure that comes with switching between completely different worlds and still being expected to deliver instantly. “It is a massive task; it isn't easy. I often have sleepless nights over it; it is a real struggle. It is a task of great responsibility—coming from a completely different world—whether it’s from Parliament, a film shoot, or my constituency—and then stepping into this space; sitting in a small studio, instantly capturing the essence of that other world, presenting it to you, and keeping you engaged.” His remarks offered a glimpse into the preparation and mental pressure involved in moving from one professional environment to another while remaining connected with audiences.

The “Lighting Up a Billion Screens” panel ultimately underlined how dramatically the viewing landscape has changed, with traditional television now sharing space with smartphones, digital platforms and an increasingly interactive audience. Ravi Kishan’s comments brought a performer’s perspective to that conversation, highlighting the challenge of keeping cricket fans engaged in an era of constant digital distraction. For broadcasters, commentators and entertainers alike, the message was clear: the audience may have more choices than ever, but the responsibility to keep them watching has never been bigger.