Piyush Mishra Opens Up About Marriage and Wife's Unwavering Commitment
Bollywood actor and writer Piyush Mishra has once again offered a candid glimpse into his personal life, this time focusing on the resilience of his marriage and the profound reasons behind his wife's decision to stay despite his past infidelity. In a revealing conversation, Mishra shared intimate details about their relationship journey, highlighting both his shortcomings and his wife's extraordinary strength.
"Now I Am a Good Husband; I Wasn't Earlier"
During an interview with Shubhankar Mishra, the actor reflected on his evolution as a partner, acknowledging significant flaws in the early years of his marriage. "Now I am a good husband; I wasn't earlier," Mishra admitted frankly. "Back then, I wasn't responsible at all, and marriage is a very big responsibility. When you fall in love at 20, there's no logic to it, that's the beauty of it. But after 35, you love the person who is willing to grow old with you."
He elaborated on this transformation, stating, "Love is defined by the woman who is ready to grow old with you, and she accepted that she would grow old with me." This perspective marked a shift from youthful passion to mature commitment, a theme he had previously explored in his memoir Tumhari Auqaat Kya Hai, Piyush Mishra.
Delayed Realization of Marital Responsibility
Mishra made a striking confession about how long it took him to fully embrace his role as a husband. "I accepted very late that I had become a husband, it took me a long time. Nearly 10–15 years to realise that she is my wife," he revealed. "Before that, she was just a woman who had my children, cooked for me, and took care of the house. I had no feelings beyond that."
Describing his emotional state during that period, he said, "I was a very dry person, not just with Priya, but with everything. I didn't feel anything." This emotional detachment characterized much of his early married life, leading to a lack of connection and understanding.
Spiritual Awakening Through Vipassana
The actor credited introspection and spiritual practice, specifically Vipassana meditation, for catalyzing a profound change in his outlook. "For the last 15 years, after practising Vipassana, I began to feel," Mishra shared. "I started understanding that the other person also suffers and deserves empathy. Before that, I was a strange man, very antisocial. If I hadn't had work, I might have been completely isolated. Work saved me."
This spiritual journey enabled him to develop empathy and recognize the emotional needs of his wife, fostering a deeper bond that had been absent for years.
Wife's Unbreakable Vow Amidst Infidelity
When questioned about why his wife Priya Narayanan chose to remain in the marriage despite his infidelity, Mishra spoke of her unwavering commitment. "She loved me. She had run away from home for me and married me against her parents' wishes. She had sacrificed so much," he explained. "She said, 'I will not divorce you no matter what, you can do anything, but I won't leave you.'"
Acknowledging her fortitude, he added, "It was her greatness that she stayed with me. Today I understand it, there's no other word for it. It was her greatness that she held the marriage together. I am fortunate." This steadfastness became the foundation upon which their relationship was rebuilt.
Honest Confessions and Mutual Forgiveness
Mishra also detailed the process of coming clean to his wife about his past mistakes, a pivotal moment in their marriage. "When I realised my mistakes, I sat her down one day and told her everything I had done. We were both crying, and we embraced each other. After that, we felt lighter," he recounted.
Recalling her response, he said, "She said, 'You made mistakes, I did too, you made more, I made fewer. Let's end these matters here.' Our understanding became very strong." This mutual acknowledgment of faults paved the way for healing and growth.
On the possibility of role reversal, Mishra expressed, "If she had made mistakes, I would have forgiven her too. It's not possible that only one person makes mistakes, I must have done my share too." This sentiment underscored a balanced perspective on forgiveness within their partnership.
Years of Struggle Leading to Complete Honesty
The actor concluded by revealing that achieving complete honesty took several years of joint effort. "We both needed to improve our lives—it wasn't just about me. Priya was also struggling, and so was I. We were both going through a difficult mental phase," he admitted.
"It took 5–6 years to finally say it all. One day, we decided to do it. Initially, it was a shock for both of us. But after that, life became much better. There was nothing left to hide—and then we could move forward," Mishra shared, highlighting the gradual nature of their reconciliation.
Piyush Mishra married Priya Narayanan in 1995, and the couple have two sons together. Their story serves as a testament to the power of perseverance, forgiveness, and unwavering commitment in the face of marital challenges.
