Piyush Mishra says he made obscene calls to women during struggle with alcoholism
Piyush Mishra said that he made obscene calls to women during his struggle with alcoholism. He recalled how that phase affected his personal and professional life.
Actor-writer Piyush Mishra opened up about his long battle with alcoholism, recalling the phase that deeply impacted both his personal and professional life. He also admitted making inappropriate and obscene phone calls to women while intoxicated.
Piyush Mishra, in an interview with Shubhankar Mishra for his YouTube podcast, said that alcohol often pushed him into actions he later could not reconcile with.
The actor said, "After drinking, I did many things that later made me feel, 'This is not me'. I had issues with my mother, and I said many hurtful things to her while drunk, even after I had realised I should forgive her."
"I made many inappropriate and obscene phone calls to women, and the next morning I wouldn’t even remember them. At that time, I was not in control of myself. I was doing things I didn’t want to do," he added.
Mishra said that eventually, drinking starts to feel like a necessity rather than a choice. He described alcoholism as a relentless condition that even medical science cannot truly cure, noting that those affected often fail to see the danger.
However, despite the intensity of his struggle, Mishra clarified that he never consumed alcohol while working.
The 64-year-old actor is known for his roles in films like Maqbool (2003), Rockstar (2011), Tamasha (2015), Happy Bhaag Jayegi (2016), Pink (2016) and Sanju (2018).
Mishra is known for contributing to the music of director Anurag Kahshyap's political-thriller Gulaal (2009), besides acting in the film. He had also collaborated with Kashyap as a composer, singer and actor for his Gangs of Wasseypur (2012) film series.
While speaking to India Today about his bond with Kashyap, Mishra said, "Anurag Kashyap has troubled me a lot. He is a good friend, but our views do not align; we hold differing political opinions, yet we continue to meet and communicate. Though we don't talk on a regular basis."
Mishra was last seen in the 2026 comedy-drama Rahu-Ketu.