Neelesh Misra

Indian journalist, writer, and musician

Nidhi Razdan
​
​
(m. 2005; div. 2007)​

Yamini MisraChildrenVaidehi MisraRelativesShiva Balak Misra (father)
Nirmala Misra (mother)
Shailesh Misra (brother)

Neelesh Misra (born 4 May 1973) is an Indian journalist, author, radio storyteller, scriptwriter and lyricist.[1] He hosted Yaadon Ka IdiotBox on BIG FM 92.7. He is co-founder and editor of Gaon Connection, a rural newspaper.[2][3] He is working on "The Neelesh Misra Show" on Red FM 93.5 and "Kahaani Express" on Saavn.

Early life and education

Misra was born on 4 May 1973 to Shiva Balak Misra and Nirmala Misra. He was born in Lucknow and brought up in Nainital, Uttarakhand.[4][5]

Career

As a journalist, he has covered conflict and insurgency over the past two decades in South Asia, traveling deep into the hinterland.[citation needed] His travels have taken him from the rebel heartlands of Kashmir to Naxalite-dominated areas of central and eastern India, to the faraway north-east which is home to some of the world's longest-running insurgencies. For his reportage from India's insurgency lands, he received the Ramnath Goenka Award for Excellence in Journalism[6] and the K.C. Kulish Memorial Award in the year 2009.

He has written five books, including The Absent State (2010), which he co-wrote with Rahul Pandita[7]

Neelesh started his career as a Bollywood lyricist, when while researching for a book in Mumbai, he met director Mahesh Bhatt, which led to his debut song Jaadu Hai Nasha Hai for Jism (2003),[4] this was followed by hit songs like Kya Mujhe Pyaar Hai for Woh Lamhe (2006), and went on write over 20 songs in over 15 films.[8][9] In 2012, he co-wrote the screenplay for Salman Khan starrer, Ek Tha Tiger, along with film's director Kabir Khan.[10]

He was the creative director, singer and songwriter in the India's first writer-led band, Band Called Nine, with singer Shilpa Rao and composer Amartya Rahut, working with traditional Indian craft of Qissa Goi (storytelling).[11][12] The band was launched in 2010 at the annual Kala Ghoda Arts Festival in Mumbai.[8] In 2011, the band released its debut album, Rewind, consisting of songs and storytelling, put together with narrative recited by Misra.[10][12]

He is also a blogger.[13] His blog contains his experiences during his days as senior roving editor, his thoughts on various issues, and the poems he has written. He hosts a radio show, Yadoon Ka Idiotbox on BIG FM 92.7, set in fictitious small town, Yaad Sheher, and which started its second season in 2012. He also hosts " The Neelash Mishra" show on 93.5 RED FM.[14][10] In late 2012, he along with Karan Dalal, started a rural newspaper, Gaon Connection, based in Kunaura, a village near Lucknow.[15][16]

Since Nov 2018, he hosts The Slow Interview With Neelesh Misra show on Youtube.[17]

Books

Non-fiction

  • The Absent State (Hachette, 2010), a book on insurgency co-written. ISBN 9350093669.[18]
  • 173 Hours in Captivity, Harper Collins, 2000. ISBN 8172233949.,[19]
  • End of the Line: The Story of the Killing of the Royals in Nepal. (Penguin, 2001). ISBN 9780143027850.[20]

Fiction

  • Once Upon a Timezone. Harper Collins, 2006. ISBN 8172236646.[21]
  • Neelesh Misra ka Yaad Sheher Volumes-I and II. (Westland Books). ISBN 9382618376.[22][23]

As editor

  • India Yatra (Harper Collins, 2009, with a foreword by Nandan Nilekani)[24]
  • Inspired India: Ideas to Transform a Nation, Harper Collins, 2010, with a foreword by APJ Abdul Kalam. ISBN 978-81-7223-782-0
  • Dream Chasing ,One Man's Remarkable True Life Story, a book by his father, Dr. S.B.Misra.(Roli Books, 2011,with a foreword by Sam Pitroda. ISBN 8174368191.[25]

Awards

Journalism

Entertainment

Personal life

Misra married Nidhi Razdan, a news anchor and editor, in 2005.[30][31] The couple divorced in 2007.

Misra married Yamini Misra in 2008 and they have a daughter. Yamini also writes some stories for the Neelesh Misra Show.[32]

Filmography

Screenwriter

Lyricist

  • Jaadu Hai Nasha Hai – Jism (2003)[33]
  • Chalo Tumko Lekar Chalein – Jism (2003)
  • Bepanah Pyaar hai – Krishna Cottage (2004)
  • Maine dil Se Kaha – Rog (2005)
  • Khoobsoorat Hai Vo Itna – Rog (2005)
  • Guzar Na Jaaye – Rog (2005)
  • Kya Mujhe Pyaar Hai – Woh Lamhe (2006)
  • Lamha Lamha – Gangster (2006)
  • Khwahishon Se – Holiday (2006)
  • Tu hai Bhatakta Jugnu Koi – Holiday (2006)
  • Neele Neele Aasmaa Taley – Holiday (2006)
  • Bolo Na Tum Zara – Fight Club – Members Only (2006)
  • Gulon Mein Rang Bhare – Tribute to Faiz – Sikandar (2009)
  • I am in love – Once Upon A Time in Mumbai (2010)
  • Anjaana Anjaani ki Kahani – Anjaana Anjaani (2010)
  • Abhi Kuch Dinon Se – Dil Toh Baccha Hai Ji (2011)
  • Humko Pyaar Hua – Ready (2011)
  • I Love You – Bodyguard (2011)
  • Dil Mera Muft Ka – Agent Vinod (2012)
  • Khudaaya – Shanghai (2012)
  • Banjaara – Ek Tha Tiger (2012)
  • Kyon – Barfi! (2012)
  • Dhichkyaaon Doom Doom – Chashme Badoor (2013)
  • Ishq Mohallah – Chashme Badoor (2013)
  • Aala Re Aala - Shootout at Wadala (2013)
  • Capuchino - I, Me Aur Main (2013)
  • Zindagi (Reprise) – Bajrangi Bhaijaan (2015)[34]
  • Jhumritalaiyya-Jagga Jasoos (2017)[35]
  • Phire Faqeera - Pagglait (2021)
  • Thode Kam Ajnabi - Pagglait (2021)

References

  1. ^ Lakshmi, Rama (10 April 2023). "He's the Garrison Keillor of India, and he's reviving the art of storytelling". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
  2. ^ gaon. "About Gaon Connection". www.gaonconnection.com (in Hindi). Retrieved 31 October 2023.
  3. ^ "Gaon Connection Survey: 50% rural Indians prefer India-made COVID vaccine". cnbctv18.com. 22 December 2020. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
  4. ^ a b "Next Big Thing: Meet Neelesh Misra". IBN LIVE. 2 June 2008. Archived from the original on 19 March 2011.
  5. ^ "Tapping the rural news space". The Hindu. 9 December 2012. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
  6. ^ a b Express, Indian. "Ram Nath Goenka Award for Excellence in Journalism he has been editor of Hindustan news paper". Archived from the original on 24 June 2013. Retrieved 31 January 2014.
  7. ^ Sudhir Mishra (17 September 2010). "Book Review: The art of losing a war". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 25 January 2013.
  8. ^ a b "Nine times lucky". Hindustan Times. 20 May 2011. Archived from the original on 25 January 2013.
  9. ^ "I was offered to script film on Benazir Bhutto: Neelesh Misra". The Hindu. 7 February 2009.
  10. ^ a b c "Neelesh Misra: Reviving the traditional storytelling". CNN-IBN (IBN LIVE). 18 September 2012.
  11. ^ "Shilpa Rao to sing for webcert online". Hindustan Times. 19 December 2011. Archived from the original on 26 August 2014.
  12. ^ a b "Band Called Nine releases its debut album". The Indian Express. 6 May 2011. Retrieved 14 May 2011.
  13. ^ India. "User Profile: Writer At Large". Blogger. Retrieved 10 August 2014.
  14. ^ "Neelesh Misra: The journalist, lyricist and author on reinventing the art of storytelling". Outlook. 24 September 2012.
  15. ^ "Tapping the rural news space". The Hindu. 10 December 2012.
  16. ^ Beuro, Gaon Connection. "Gaon Connection : Agriculture & Rural News, News in Hindi, हिन्दी न्यूज". www.gaonconnection.com.
  17. ^ Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: "Pankaj Tripathi || Episode 1 || The Slow Interview With Neelesh Misra". YouTube.
  18. ^ Amazon.com – The Absent State
  19. ^ Amazon.com – 173 Hours in Captivity
  20. ^ Amazon.com – End of the Line: The Story of the Killing of the Royals in Nepal
  21. ^ Amazon.com – Once Upon a Timezone
  22. ^ Amazon.com – Neelesh Misra ka Yaad Sheher Volume-I
  23. ^ Amazon.com – Neelesh Misra ka Yaad Sheher Volume-II
  24. ^ HarperCollins Publishers India Ltd.
  25. ^ Amazon.com – Dream Chasing ,One Man's Remarkable True Life Story
  26. ^ "Nominees - Mirchi Music Award Hindi 2010". 30 January 2011. Archived from the original on 30 January 2011. Retrieved 30 September 2018.
  27. ^ "Nominations - Mirchi Music Award Hindi 2011". 30 January 2013. Archived from the original on 30 January 2013. Retrieved 24 May 2018.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  28. ^ "Nominations - Mirchi Music Awards 2017". MMAMirchiMusicAwards. Retrieved 13 March 2018.
  29. ^ "Winners - Mirchi Music Awards 2017". MMAMirchiMusicAwards. Retrieved 13 March 2018.
  30. ^ "Actual romance blooms in small towns: Neelesh Misra". IndiaGlitz.com. 29 November 2005. Archived from the original on 5 May 2006. Retrieved 26 November 2014.
  31. ^ "Nidhi Razdan". in.com. Archived from the original on 12 November 2012. Retrieved 26 November 2014.
  32. ^ "Gaon Connection: Going beyond the village". indiantelevision.com. 2 July 2013. Retrieved 26 November 2014.
  33. ^ "About – Writer At Large".
  34. ^ T-Series (3 July 2015). "'Zindagi Kuch Toh Bata (Reprise)' Full AUDIO Song - Salman Khan, Kareena Kapoor - Bajrangi Bhaijaan". Archived from the original on 20 December 2021 – via YouTube.
  35. ^ T-Series (30 June 2017). "Jagga Jasoos : Jhumritalaiyya Song With Lyrics l Ranbir, Katrina - Pritam Arijit, Mohan - Neelesh". Archived from the original on 20 December 2021 – via YouTube.

External links

  • Neelesh Misra Official Website
  • Neelesh Misra at Bollywood Hungama
  • Neelesh Misra blog
  • Neelesh Misra at IMDb
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