Piyush Mishra Reflects on Alcoholism: 'Not Controlling It Is My Biggest Regret' | Interview
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Piyush Mishra opens up about his struggles with alcohol and infidelity, calling his lack of control over alcohol his biggest regret. He also discusses his autobiography.
Piyush Mishra has spoken candidly about his past struggles, including a battle with alcohol and infidelity, in a recent interview with Hindustan Times.
When asked about his biggest regret, Mishra didn't hesitate: "alcohol." He elaborated on a Zoom call, stating, "The biggest regret is about alcohol. If I hadn't drowned my life in it and had controlled it earlier, I would have achieved more. Intoxication kills creativity. It was a big mistake and remains my biggest regret."
Mishra added that he believes his life would be very different had he quit or controlled his drinking in the early stages.
Mishra also discussed being unfaithful to his wife, sharing that confessing to her brought him peace. "I had a storm inside me before I told my wife everything, and when I told her everything, it calmed down." He said his wife was understanding, acknowledging that they both had made mistakes. She recognized his heart was clean after revealing the truth and encouraged him to move forward.
When asked if telling his wife the truth was difficult, Mishra responded that it was easy for him and that he felt liberated afterward. He felt it was crucial to confess his wrongdoings to cleanse himself and find peace.
Mishra, who began his career in theater and debuted in Mani Ratnam’s "Dil Se.." in 1998, has also explored these personal experiences in his autobiographical novel, "Tumhari Auqaat Kya Hai, Piyush Mishra." The book, which includes details about being sexually assaulted as a child, his love affairs, and his alcoholism, was recently released in English by HarperCollins India.
"I didn’t want to hide anything," Mishra stated, explaining his decision to be so open. He aimed to write honestly without being obscene, changing the names of the women involved but keeping the instances accurate. He noted that the women contacted him after reading the book to express their appreciation for his handling of the sensitive topics. Despite expecting backlash after the Hindi release, Mishra said the feedback was positive.
