Bhojpuri stars Manoj Tiwari and Ravi Kissen. The duo, along with other artistes, would perform at New Patna Club on May 26

Bhojpuri stars Ravi Kissen and Manoj Tiwari have come together for a cause close to every Bihari’s heart.

The stars have taken an initiative to take their demand for according official language status to Bhojpuri to the Centre. A cultural programme has been planned to support Bhojpuri’s inclusion into the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.

Apart from Manoj and Ravi, around 50 people from the Bhojpuri film industry, including artistes Dinesh Lal Yadav, Pakkhi Hegde, Rinku Ghosh, Mona Lisa, directors and producers, will take the stage at New Patna Club on May 26 for the cause.

The four-hour show is expected to draw at least 5,000 spectators. No ticket will be charged for the show.

Speaking to The Telegraph, singer and actor Manoj said: “We want to send a message to the people of this country that the time has come for Bhojpuri to be included in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution and give it the status of an official language.”

The event was planned before Union home minister P. Chidambaram’s Bhojpuri exploit in Parliament on Thursday. To pacify angry MPs demanding inclusion of Bhojpuri in the Eighth Schedule, Chidambaram had said: “Hum rauwa sabke bhawna samajhat bani (I understand your sentiments).”

Although several parliamentarians were not amused, many stars in Bihar, including Manoj and Ravi, were bowled over.

Manoj said: “With this cultural show, we want to intensify the demand of according official status to our mother tongue. The long-pending demand has always been in the news but has never been strongly backed from one stage. People have given their suggestions from different platforms, which is not enough. We have decided to raise the demand from one stage.”

“Apart from patriotic songs, the actresses will also give solo performances. There will also be a special dance item from Ravi (Kissen), Dinesh (Lal Yadav) and me,” added Manoj.

Ravi said: “This show will send a good message to the people of Bihar, and specially to our fans, who were disappointed over internal disputes between Manoj and me. Our main purpose in organising this show is to passionately support the demand of giving official status to Bhojpuri.

“The home minister (Chidambaram) has already given us a pleasant surprise by speaking in Bhojpuri in the Lok Sabha. It is a good sign that now, even top politicians and policy makers have realised the importance of our demand. Der aaye par durust aaye (Better late than never).”

Govinda’s nephew Vinay Anand and singer-turned-actor Pawan Singh will also perform on May 26.