Master Ravi: Child star who challenged Shashi Kapoor, earned Rs 3,500 daily as ‘Junior Amitabh’

Ravi Valecha, popularly known as Master Ravi, is an extraordinary figure in Indian cinema, having emerged as one of the highest-paid child actors of his time. Beginning his journey as a four-year-old on the set of Fakira, where he impressed veteran actor Shashi Kapoor, Ravi went on to appear in over 300 films across nine languages and multiple industries.

After a successful career as a child actor, Ravi ventured into the hospitality industry, becoming a professional chef with the Taj and eventually heading the administration department of a leading company. Despite his immense success, Ravi lamented that his career had cost him a significant portion of his childhood and teenage years, as he began working at the age of four and continued until he was 18.