Piyush Mishra

Over the next decade, he established himself as a theatre director, actor, lyricist and singer. He moved to Mumbai in 2002, receiving acclaim for his acting in Maqbool (2003) and Gangs of Wasseypur (2012).

• Name — Piyush Mishra • Born — 13 January 1963 • Birth Name — Priyakant Sharma • Birthplace — Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, India • Education — National School of Drama • Occupation — * Actor • lyricist • playwright • composer • singer • screenwriter • Spouse — Priya Narayanan (m. 1995) • Years Active — 1979–present

Mishra was born on 13 January 1963 in Gwalior to Kumar Sharma. He grew up as Priyakant Sharma and was adopted by his father's eldest sister, Taradevi Mishra, who had no children. Later, his family moved into his aunt's house to ease the financial burden. His parents admitted him to Carmel Convent School, Gwalior, thinking that his education in a convent would help him excel in academics, but it was activities like singing, painting and acting that appealed to him. Piyush later moved to Gwalior's JC Mills Higher Secondary School. However, living in the authoritative household of his aunt developed a rebellious streak in him, which showed up in his first poem, Zinda ho haan tum koi shak nahin (Yes you are alive; of this there is no doubt), he wrote in class 8th. Later, while studying in class 10th, he even filed an affidavit before the Gwalior district court and changed his name to one his choice to Piyush Mishra. Around this time, he began to be drawn to theatre – it was at places like Kala Mandir and Rangshri Little Ballet Troupe in Gwalior that his talent for the medium was first identified. In spite of the appreciation he was beginning to receive in the theatre circles, his family kept insisting he concentrate on his studies. He took the entrance test to the National School of Drama, New Delhi, in 1983, not with any particular desire to study but to get out of Gwalior. Thereafter, he moved to Delhi and joined the National School of Drama, graduating in 1986. While at NSD, he got a chance to compose his first music score for a student play, Mashreeki Hoor. His acting breakthrough came in his second year at NSD, when German director, Fritz Bennewitz (1926–95), directed him in the title role in Hamlet and introduced him to acting technique. Piyush Mishra was introduced to communism by his friend N. K. Sharma in 1989, and he was a thorough Leftist worker for 20 years.

• Illustration — Mishra on stage during his Aarambh tour in Pune, 2023 After his graduation from NSD in 1990, Piyush Mishra started his career as a theatre actor in Delhi, and in 1990, helped start the theatre group Act One, with founder-director N. K. Sharma and stage actors like Manoj Bajpai, Gajraj Rao and Ashish Vidyarthi. In the following years he wrote and directed several plays as a part of Act One Theatre Group, including the acclaimed play, Gagan Damama Bajiyo (The Sky Resounds with the Call to Arms), based on revolutionary Bhagat Singh, which was first performed in 1994, and upon publishing, sold its first edition in just seven days. In 1996 he joined Asmita Theatre Group, and performed his popular one-man show An Evening with Piyush Mishra. He wrote the lyrics for Asmita's popular plays. Piyush acted as Maniac in Operation Three Star (an adaptation of Dario Fo's play Accidental Death of an Anarchist). Piyush is also known for his performance in Swadesh Deepak's Court Martial as Suraj Singh, first with Ranjeet Kapoor (1991) and later under the direction of Arvind Gaur (1996). By then, he had established himself as a theatre director and directed Comedy of Terror play for Shriram Centre Repertory Company, and also presented his solo act play at the National School of Drama's Annual Theatre Festival, Bharat Rang Mahotsav in 1999. Mishra briefly moved to Mumbai, as he acted in a television series, Rajdhani (1989), directed by Tigmanshu Dhulia for Star TV, and Shyam Benegal's Bharat Ek Khoj (1988) and horror TV serial Kile ka Rahasya (1989), though he returned to Delhi thereafter.

• Illustration — Piyush Mishra reading out his poetry at TEDxBITSGoa, 2017. He married Priya Narayanan in 1995, whom he met in 1992 while directing a play at the School of Planning and Architecture. He lives in Andheri West, Versova, Mumbai with his wife, who is an architect, and two sons: Jai, who is pursuing Physics at Shiv Nadar University, Delhi NCR, and Josh who is currently working at Meraki Sport and Entertainment after completing his master's degree in Sport Management at Coventry University.

• Title — Year — Artist — Album • "Paagal" — 2000 — Vishal Bhardwaj — Dil Pe Mat Le Yaar!! • "Bandeh" — 2007 — Indian Ocean — Black Friday • "Badshah in Jail" • "Bharam Paap Ke" • "Opening" • "Bomb Planting" • "Memon House" • "Rdx" • "Training" • "Chase" • "Aaja Nachle" — Salim–Sulaiman — Aaja Nachle • "Soniye Mil Ja" • "Is Pal" • "Koi Patthar Se Na Maare" • "Dil Haara" — 2008 — Vishal–Shekhar — Tashan • "Tashan Main" (with Vishal Dadlani) • "Tum Bhi Dhoondna" — 2009 — Ilaiyaraaja — Chal Chalein • "Shehar Hai Khoob Kya Hai" • "Jhoom Jhoom So Ja" • "Gup Chup Shaam Thi" • "Chal Chal Chal Ke" • "Uff Are Tu Mirch Hai" • "Batladein Koi" • "Ranaji" — Himself — Gulaal • "Yaara Maula" • "Aarambh" • "Aisi Sazaa" • "Sheher" • "Beedo" • "Duniya" • "Raat Ke Musafir" • "O Re Bande" — 2010 — M. M. Keeravani — Lahore • "Ik Bagal" — 2012 — Sneha Khanwalkar — Gangs of Wasseypur – Part 1 • "Keh Ke Lunga" • "Loonga Loonga" — Himself • "Manmauji" • "Electric Piya" — Gangs of Wasseypur - Part 2 • "Bahut Khoob" — Sneha Khanwalkar • "Tunya" — Himself • "Bargat Ke Pedo" — Kaustubh Tripathi-Deepak Pandit — Jalpari: The Desert Mermaid • "Daanav" — Vishal–Shekhar — Arjun The Warrior Prince • "Karam Ki Talwar" • "Manva" • "Kabhi Na Dekhe Hastinapur Mein" • "Samay" • "Khandav" • "Yaad Hai Yaa Bhulte" — 2017 — Pankaj Awasthi — Sameer • "Ye Jo, Jo Bhi Mar Gaya" • "Yunhi Rastay Mai" — 2018 — Shuja Haider — 7 Din Mohabbat In • "Hunkara" — 2022 — Mithoon — Shamshera • "Bholasa Mann Tha" — 2024 — Himself & Vivek Sagar — Sheeshmahal • "Hota Hai" — 2024 — Himself — Sheeshmahal • "Bhatki Raaton Ko" — 2024 — Indian Ocean & Vivek Sagar — Sheeshmahal

• "Chhaliya" (Tashan – 2008) • "Aarambh Hai Prachand" (Gulaal – 2009) • "Duniya" (Gulaal – 2009) • "Jab Sheher Hamara" (Gulaal – 2009) • "Ik Bagal" (Gangs of Wasseypur - Part 1 – 2012) • "Ik Bagal" (Gangs of Wasseypur - Part 2 – 2012) • "Aabroo" (Gangs of Wasseypur - Part 2 – 2012) • "Manva" (Arjun: The Warrior Prince – 2012) • "Bargat Ke Pedo Pe Shakhe Purani" (Jalpari: The Desert Mermaid – 2012) • "Bas Chal Kapat" (Saheb, Biwi Aur Gangster Returns – 2013) • "Chanda Ki Katori Hai (Lorie)" (Revolver Rani – 2014) • "Chal Lade Re Bhaiya" (Revolver Rani – 2014) • "Thaayein Kare Katta" (Revolver Rani – 2014) • "Jigarwala Sirf Woh" (Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo (Hindi dubbed) – 2020) • "Hunkara" (Shamshera – 2022) • "Bholasa Mann Tha" (Sheeshmahal – 2024) • "Hota Hai" (Sheeshmahal – 2024)

• Gulaal (2009) • Lahore (2010) (Song: "Oh Re Bande") • Gangs of Wasseypur (2012) (Songs: "Manmauji" & "Ik Bagal") • Gangs of Wasseypur - Part 2 (2012) (Song: "Ik Bagal") • Jalpari: The Desert Mermaid (2012) (Song: "Bargat Ke Pedo") • "Hota Hai" ("Sheeshmahal") (2024)

• Husna Coke Studio (India) Season 2 (2012 – Composer/Singer/Lyrics/Performer) • O Re Manvaa (My Heart) (2012 – Composer/Singer/Lyrics) • Tom Dick and Harry (The Dewarists) together with Akala (Composer/Singer/Lyrics) • Ghar Coke Studio (India) Season 3 (2013 – Composer/Singer/Lyrics/Performer) • Reunion (Google India Google Search Advertisement) (2013 – Singer) • Parle-G New Ad: Roko Mat Toko Mat (2013 – Composer/Singer/Lyrics)

Key • Denotes films that have not yet been released • Year — Title — Role — Note • 1988 — Bharat Ek Khoj — British Indian Sepoy-Episode No 42/43 1857 Revolt — TV series • 1993 — Sardar — Cameo • 1998 — Dil Se.. — CBI investigator • 2002 — Samurai — Cameo — Tamil Film • 2003 — Butterfly — Ghani — Short Film • Matrubhoomi: A Nation Without Women — Jagannath • Maqbool — Kaka • Sala Bandar! — Nana — Short Film • Ek Din 24 Ghante — Police Inspector • 2004 — Deewaar — Qureshi • 2005 — Super — Mama — Telugu Film • 2007 — 1971 — Major Bilal Malik — A Film Based on Indo-Pak war of 1971 • Jhoom Barabar Jhoom — Huffy Bhai • Rahim Murge Pe Mat Ro — Rahim Murga — Short Film • 2009 — Gulaal — Prithvi Bana — Stardust Award for Standout Performance by a Music Director • The White Elephant — Babu • 2010 — Tere Bin Laden — Majeed Bhai • Lafangey Parindey — Usmaan Bhai • Lahore • 2011 — Bhindi Bazaar — Shankar Pandey • That Girl in Yellow Boots — Auto Rickshaw Driver • Rockstar — Dhingra • 2012 — Gangs of Wasseypur - Part 1 — Nasir Ahmed • Gangs of Wasseypur - Part 2 — Nasir Ahmed • Remember a Day — Suresh Sinha — Short Film • 2013 — The Playback Singer — Ashok Rao • Meridian Lines — Prakash Kumar • 2014 — Revolver Rani — Balli • The Shaukeens — Harishankar 'Pinky' Goyal • 2015 — The Exile — Manmohan Sharma — A Short Film by Sandeep Modi • Father's Day — Biju — A Short Film by Vinay Jaiswal • Tamasha — Storyteller • The Homecoming — Short Film by Vinay Jaiswal & The Moody Nation • 2016 — Kathakaar — Short film • Tere Bin Laden: Dead or Alive — Khalili • Happy Bhag Jayegi — ASP Usman Afridi • Pink — Prashant Mehra • 2018 — Sanju — D.N. Tripathi • Happy Phirr Bhag Jayegi — ASP Usman Afridi • 2019 — Qatran — Husband — Short Film by Prem Singh (Large Short Films) • 2020 — Illegal — Janardhan Jaitley — Web Series • JL50 — Dr B.C Mitra • 2021 — Matsya Kaand — Panditji • Illegal 2 — Janardhan Jaitley • 2022 — Salt City — Harish Bajpai • 2023 — Kanjoos Makhichoos • 2024 — Main Atal Hoon — Krishna Bihari Vajpayee • JNU: Jahangir National University — Guru Ji • Indian 2 — Kishan Singh — Tamil film • Rare — Divaker • 2025 — Azaad — Rai Bahadur • Crazxy — "White Coat" / Dr. Nihal Chatterjee • Champion — Football coach — Telugu film • 2026 — Rahu Ketu — Foofaji

• Illustration — Piyush Mishra performing with his band Ballimaaraan, 2023 List of Plays • Year — Title — Actor — Director — Music — Script — Lyrics • 1979 — Dilli Teri Baat Nirali|Dilli Teri Baat Nirali • 1980 — Are Shareef Log • 1981 — Men Without Shadows • 1982 — Abu Hassan • 1983 — Evam Inderjit • Bahut Bada Sawaal • Mashriq Ki Hoor • Sapna Kaali Ka • A trilogy of Mohan Rakesh (Aadhe Adhoore, Lehron Ke Rajhans, Aashaadh Ka Ek Din) • 1984 — Hamlet • Urubhangam • 1985 — Nekrassov • Man Equals Man • 1986 — A View From The Bridge • Bholaram Ka Jeev • Raja Gopichand • 1987 — Abhigyaan Shakuntala • Comedy of Terrors • Hum Sab Dataram • 1988 — Arsenic & the old lace • 1989 — End Game • 1990 — Arsenic & the old lace • 1991 — Court Martial • Holy • Suno Re Qissa (Blood Brothers) • Humare Daur Mein (Musical Collage) • 1992 — Jab Shehar Humara Sota Hai (West Side Story) • Comedy of terrors • 1993 — Mahakund Ka Mahadaan (Payment as Pledged) • Life & Times of Galileo • Ye Jo Zindagi Hai Na • 1994 — Aane Bhi Do Yaaro (Dream of Peter Mann) • Wo Ab Bhi Pukarta Hai • Gagan Damama Bajyo • Once Upon a Time in America • 1995 — Jheeni Jheeni Mehki Mehki Seeli Seeli (Fiddler on the roof) • 1996 — Doosri Duniya • Duvidha • Whatever happened to Betty Lemon • 1997 — An Accidental Death of an Anarchist • Court Martial • 1999 — Life & Times of Galileo • 2000 — Ye Jo Zindagi Hai Na • 2019 — Gagan Damama Bajyo

• The Legend of Bhagat Singh (2002) – Dialogues • Yahaan (2005) – Screenplay and dialogues • 1971 (2007) – Screenplay • Ghajini (2008) – Dialogues • Lahore (2010) – Screenplay • Chittagong (2011) – Dialogues • Agneepath (2012) – Dialogues • Shamshera (2022) – Dialogues • Mandi House – Screenplay and dialogues (Post Production) • Yo Jawaan Yo Kisaan – Dialogues (Post Production)

Piyush Mishra is recorded as screenwriter, music director, actor, singer and lyricist.