Who Is Ravi Valecha? All About Ex-Child Star ‘Junior Amitabh’ Going Viral After Past Sexual Abuse Revelation
Former child actor Ravi Valecha, famously known as Master Ravi and 'Junior Amitabh', has broken his silence on facing sexual abuse during his peak acting years in the 1980s. After starring in over 300 films, he stepped away from cinema as a teenager to build a successful corporate career as a chef and hospitality administrator.
Former Indian actor Ravi Valecha, famously known as Master Ravi, has opened up about experiencing sexual abuse during his years as a prolific child artist in the Indian film industry. Valecha, who stepped away from acting as a teenager and later built a successful career in hospitality, recently shared how the dark side of his early fame left long-lasting emotional scars. Nepal Floods: Amitabh Bachchan Calls Devastation ‘Unbearable to Watch’.
His revelations come as part of a wider reflection on his extraordinary journey from earning top-tier industry pay as a child to transitioning into a culinary and corporate career.
Ravi Valecha's Shocking Revelation
In a candid disclosure, Valecha revealed that despite coming from a supportive family background, he was subjected to inappropriate behaviour while working in the entertainment industry as a young boy.
"It happened with me three times," Valecha stated, recalling the painful experiences during his childhood acting career.
He highlighted one specific incident involving a person hired to manage his schedule on set. "A young secretary who had been hired to accompany me to shoots every day would touch me inappropriately in taxis and cars," he said.
Reflecting on the trauma, Valecha pointed out that the lack of awareness and open dialogue at the time left him feeling isolated. "There was nobody I could talk to," he shared.
He noted that these unaddressed childhood experiences contributed to challenges with anger management and a short temper later in life. Recently, Valecha began attending therapy sessions to work through his past and manage its lingering effects.
Who is Ravi Valecha?
Born into a family connected to the entertainment business, Ravi Valecha began his acting career by chance at the age of four. While accompanying his brother to a film set, he had an outspoken interaction with veteran actor Shashi Kapoor over a seat. Impressed by the toddler's confidence, Kapoor suggested the director cast him, leading to Valecha's debut in the 1976 film Fakira.
Over the next 14 years, Valecha went on to work in more than 300 films across nine languages, including Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu. He became a household name for portraying the younger versions of characters played by superstar Amitabh Bachchan, earning the moniker "Junior Amitabh Bachchan." Known for his efficiency on set and delivering scenes in a single take, Valecha became one of the highest-paid child actors of the 1980s, earning between INR 3,000 and INR 3,500 daily, a significant sum at the time.
However, the continuous workload meant sacrificing a standard upbringing. "I earned name, fame and wealth. But I lost my childhood as I was working from age 4 to age 18," Valecha explained, adding that the demanding environment forced him to mature prematurely.
Life Beyond the Camera
Although filmmaker Manmohan Desai had planned to launch Valecha as a leading adult actor, the project did not materialise following Desai's untimely demise. Having already decided to take a deliberate step back from acting, Valecha shifted his focus toward education.
He pursued his interest in the culinary arts by enrolling at the Institute of Hotel Management (IHM) Mumbai. After graduating as a professional chef, he worked with the Taj Group of Hotels and gradually broadened his expertise across various sectors of the hospitality industry. ‘KBC’ 18: Amitabh Bachchan Honours Transgender Doctor’s Resilience on ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati’ Show.
Today, Valecha heads the administration department of a corporate company. Outside his professional career, he remains involved in initiatives aimed at helping aspiring talent, including plans to establish an affordable acting institute. He has also pursued long-held personal goals, such as training for hobby flying at the Bombay Flying Club.
Men's Helpline Numbers:
Milaap: 9990588768; All India Men Helpline: 9911666498; Men Welfare Trust: 8882498498.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 01, 2026 03:17 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
