Interview: Dinesh Lal Yadav ‘Nirahua’: Singing on stage gives me the greatest sense of fulfilment!

Popularly known as ‘Nirahua’, Dinesh Lal Yadav is one of the biggest superstars of the Bhojpuri film industry, celebrated for his remarkable success as a singer, actor and television personality. He rose to fame with the chartbuster Bhojpuri album Nirahua Satal Rahe, which became a cultural phenomenon and earned him his iconic nickname. Over the years, he has delivered several blockbuster films including Nirahua Rikshawala, Patna Se Pakistan, Border, Nirahua Hindustani, Jigarwala and Sipahi. Apart from ruling the Bhojpuri box office, he gained nationwide recognition through reality shows such as the popular TV show Bigg Boss. A former Member of Parliament, Nirahua continues to enjoy immense popularity among audiences for his grounded personality and strong connect with the masses. He is now seen in the second season of TVF’s acclaimed series #GramChikitsalay, adding a fresh dimension to the show’s narrative. In this exclusive conversation with our Sr EditorKeertiKadam, Nirahua speaks about joining the successful franchise, his journey from humble beginnings to stardom, healthcare in rural India, and the lessons he has learned along the way.

Q: You are a new addition to the second season of Gram Chikitsalay. Were you excited or nervous about joining a show whose characters were already well established?

Dinesh Lal Yadav: I was immensely excited. In fact, I came into the project as a viewer because I had already watched and thoroughly enjoyed the first season. I admired the way the characters of Dr. Prabhat and Dr. Gargi were portrayed, and when I was offered an opportunity to become part of that world and contribute a new layer to the story, I felt truly fortunate. I have great faith in the TVF team because they invest significant effort in research and storytelling. Once I understood the script, I was confident that if we portrayed our characters with sincerity and honesty, everything else would naturally fall into place.

Q: You are already a celebrated name in the Bhojpuri film industry. After achieving success through films, television and reality shows, does every new milestone bring fresh challenges?

Dinesh Lal Yadav: Absolutely. I regard every new opportunity as a fresh beginning. Struggle and hard work are constants in every individual’s journey. When we look back at life, we often realise that every experience serves a purpose and eventually connects to a larger picture. I firmly believe that if one remains dedicated, focused and committed to one’s goals, success follows in it’s own time. Honest effort never goes unrewarded.

Q: Did you always dream of becoming such a successful performer?

Dinesh Lal Yadav: Interestingly, my dreams were very modest. During my student days, I would watch devotional programmes on television where singers performed while a group of people sat behind them applauding. My only dream at that time was to one day be among those people and appear on television. I never imagined anything beyond that. However, life often exceeds our expectations. When you pursue your aspirations with sincerity and perseverance, destiny sometimes rewards you far beyond your imagination.

Q: Bhojpuri cinema is deeply rooted in grassroots stories and social realities. How do you balance those realities with the glamour associated with the Hindi entertainment industry?

Dinesh Lal Yadav: Human emotions remain the same regardless of geography. Whether one lives in a village, a city or another country altogether, people experience similar emotions, relationships, conflicts and aspirations. Circumstances may differ, but human nature remains universal. That is precisely why stories emerging from rural India resonate with audiences everywhere—they reflect truths about life that transcend boundaries.

Q: Among singing, acting and television, which medium gives you the greatest satisfaction?

Dinesh Lal Yadav: Singing on stage gives me the greatest sense of fulfilment. The audience is present before you, and their response is immediate. You instantly know whether they are enjoying your performance. Acting is a different experience because you perform today and receive feedback months later after the project is released. The direct connection and energy exchanged between a singer and a live audience is something truly special.

Q: Has fame changed your relationship with the people from your village and your constituency?

Dinesh Lal Yadav: Not at all. Even today, I remain approachable and accessible to people. I interact with them just as I always have. Security arrangements may exist because of my public responsibilities, but I never allow them to create a barrier between myself and the people. After all, it is their affection, trust and support that have contributed to my journey and success.

Q: What are your views on the development of healthcare facilities in rural India?

Dinesh Lal Yadav: I believe significant progress is taking place. Earlier, if there were shortcomings in a village hospital, it was difficult to bring them to public attention. Today, almost everyone has access to a mobile phone. If a doctor is absent or a facility is not functioning properly, people can document it immediately and share it. Public awareness has increased tremendously, and with greater awareness comes greater accountability. As a result, improvements are happening much faster than before.

Q: Have you ever found yourself worrying excessively about your health?

Dinesh Lal Yadav: Many times. As performers, we are constantly concerned about staying healthy, especially about protecting our voices and avoiding illness before an important performance. There have been occasions when I got drenched in the rain and rushed to a doctor seeking medicine before I had even developed any symptoms. The doctors would laugh and tell me that my anxiety was causing more trouble than the rain itself. Those experiences taught me an important lesson—that sometimes we must relax, trust our bodies and avoid overthinking every small concern.

By Keerti Kadam