Piyush Mishra's Aarambh 2.0 Stage Act Arrives in Kolkata with Ballimaaraan
Renowned actor-lyricist-singer Piyush Mishra is set to captivate Kolkata with his celebrated stage performance, Aarambh 2.0, featuring his band Ballimaaraan. Organized by Calcutta Times, Maharashtra Times, and Navbharat Times, this highly anticipated event promises an immersive evening blending music, poetry, and raw, unfiltered storytelling.
Exclusive Insights on Youth, Creativity, and Artistic Evolution
In an exclusive pre-show conversation, Mishra, acclaimed for roles in films like Gulaal and Maqbool, delved into the dynamic energy of contemporary youth, the strength of imagination, and the foundational role of honesty in both life and art. He reflected on his own artistic journey, emphasizing that transparency remains the truest form of human connection in today's world.
Applauding Today's Youth: Creative Brilliance Meets Impatience
Mishra speaks with evident affection about the current generation, praising their vitality, imagination, and creative spark—qualities he believes are revitalizing art and culture. "This generation is incredibly energetic and creative. They appreciate art and literature in surprising ways, even making Gulzar's songs big hits. How can anyone claim they lack artistic sense?" he asserts, dismissing notions of lower IQ among young people.
However, he urges them to cultivate patience, noting that the relentless pursuit of instant results can undermine artistic depth. "Good things take years to build. Artists like me, Manoj Vajpayee, Irrfan Khan, and many others worked tirelessly to reach where we are. Yeh log bohot betaab hain, bus thora sabr sikh jaayein (They are very restless, they just need to learn a little patience)," he advises.
Cross-Generational Appeal: Honesty as the Key to Relevance
Mishra finds it both humbling and heartening that his work resonates across age groups, attributing this enduring appeal not to fame but to the honesty he embodies in his life and creations. "It's because of my nature that people accept me so easily," he explains. He views transparency as a crucial bridge in an increasingly mechanical society, stating, "People have forgotten how to be transparent, but it is the most important thing to be."
He acknowledges that this clarity wasn't always present, reflecting, "Even I was proud and arrogant once upon a time. But if you want to be accepted, it is important that you become transparent."
Ik Bagal: A Meditation on Imagination and Dreams
Discussing his iconic song Ik Bagal Mein Chand Hoga from Gangs of Wasseypur, Mishra describes it as more than a melody—it's a profound meditation on the human ability to find solace through imagination. "This song is an imagination. We haven't actually eaten the bread; we just imagined that we did and went to sleep. The things we are unable to do in reality, our dreams sometimes fulfil for us," he says.
He portrays the song as an ode to mental resilience, celebrating how imagination can transform deprivation into beauty and offer immense comfort in challenging times.
Depth Over Duration: The Philosophy of Meaningful Roles
Mishra emphasizes that an actor's impact is measured by depth, not screen time. He believes even brief roles can leave lasting impressions if performed with conviction, citing his parts in Tamasha, Maqbool, and Rockstar as examples where his appearances were pivotal to the narrative's emotional core.
"When Imtiaz narrated my role in Tamasha, I said yes the moment I realised its impact—that I'd be the metaphorical catalyst to the protagonist," he recalls. His guiding principle: "It's not about how much you are seen, but what you leave behind when you are done."
Kolkata: A City of Literary Heritage and Transformation
Mishra shares his admiration for Kolkata, describing it as a vibrant and deeply literate city. He reminisces about visiting Coffee House, pondering the great minds that have graced its seats over the decades. Noting changes since the 1990s, he observes shifts in the working class and the city's overall character, highlighting its evolving cultural landscape.
