Sanjay Mishra's Heartbreaking Revelation: Leaving Bollywood for a Rishikesh Dhaba
Veteran Bollywood actor Sanjay Mishra has opened up about one of the most difficult periods of his life, revealing that he temporarily quit acting to work at a humble dhaba in Rishikesh following the death of his father. In a recent emotional interview, Mishra shared intimate details about his father's final days and how feelings of guilt and grief drove him to seek solace far from the glitz of Mumbai.
A Father's Final Days and Unspoken Hurt
Sanjay Mishra recounted how his father passed away just days after the actor was discharged from the hospital following a serious health crisis. "I got discharged and after 8-10 days, my father died," Mishra said, his voice heavy with emotion. The actor revealed a particularly painful memory involving food that may have contributed to his father's deteriorating health.
"I had sent a chicken dish made by my fan, who was a cook," Mishra explained. "He consumed the dish three days after it was prepared. I told my father, 'How can you have three days old chicken?' and he told me 'Tumhari nasihat ki zaroorat nahin Hai (I don't need your advice).' These were the last words of my father to me."
The Incident That Haunts Him
Mishra shared another painful memory that occurred shortly after his hospital discharge. His father had taken him to watch his film Aloo Chaat, hoping it would lift his spirits and encourage him to return to work. However, the outing took a distressing turn when fans approached for photos.
"At the theatre, people started hogging me for photos, and I shouted at them. I hurled abuses at them," Mishra confessed. "In my house, even saying the word 'kambakht' is a big deal. My father had also taken his colleagues along with us. He told me I should not act like this, and I shouted back at him saying, 'What do you know? You are saying whatever.'"
The actor was on heavy antibiotics at the time and hadn't eaten, which may have contributed to his outburst. The true impact of this incident only became clear after his father's death.
Discovering His Father's Pain
After his father passed away, Mishra discovered his father's diary and was devastated by what he read. "When I looked at his diary, he had written that I humiliated him," the actor revealed. "At that time, I wanted him to open his eyes once so that I can say that this was not what I intended."
This discovery left Mishra shattered and questioning the meaning of life. "After this, I went to Haridwar, Rishikesh, because I thought if we all have to die, then why are we hustling so much," he explained.
Health Crisis and Spiritual Retreat
Mishra's personal crisis was compounded by serious health issues. He revealed that doctors had told him he was "supposed to die" if his surgery was unsuccessful, giving him only 1-1.5 days to live. "I was suffering from a severe illness," he said. "Doctors had removed 15 litres of pus from my stomach and just after it got cured, I lost my father. I had started losing my life."
This combination of health struggles and personal loss led Mishra to seek refuge in spiritual towns. "So, I went to Rishikesh and started making omelettes at a dhaba near the bank of Ganga," he shared. "The dhaba owner told me I will have to wash 50 cups a day and I will get Rs 150. But then I thought I need money for my survival."
Finding Solace in Simplicity
Mishra described how working at the simple roadside eatery provided him with a form of therapy. "There was an old man who used to make tea and Maggi at a Dhaba and I was free at that time," he recalled. "My mind was not working because my health was not good, and also my father had just died."
The actor has since developed habits of retreating from public life to find peace. "I often go missing, I don't pick up my phone," he admitted. "I have taken a place in Lonavala and I go there, and I try to have no thoughts in my mind."
Sanjay Mishra's candid revelations offer a rare glimpse into the personal struggles behind the public persona, reminding us that even successful actors face profound human challenges that sometimes require them to step away from fame and find healing in unexpected places.
