In a detailed interview to Firstpost, well known actor, lyricist, music director and screenplay writer, Piyush Mishra has described how he has lost trust in leftism and also expressed faith in Prime Minister Modi’s leadership. The Bollywood icon is best-known for his songs in Gulaal and for his outstanding works in Gangs of Wasseypur The polymath who has been outspoken in his political views and leftist ideology has all of a sudden given this interview in which he has taken the leftists for cleaners and has also taken jibes at those who represent the leftist ideology.
Piyush Mishra in his prior interviews and poetry has seemed to be greatly inspired by the leftist brand of politics. In fact, he himself agrees that after 1990, he came in contact with the Left which brought changes in him. He also added that after coming in touch with leftism, his creative process got a direction. Clearly, agreeing that his poetry and songs were inspired by the leftist ideology, Mishra said, “My poetry and song writing began after (coming in touch with the leftist ideology) that….” As per Piyush Mishra, his works were in substance, reactionary leftist brand poetry. Explaining why he got attracted by leftism, the renowned actor argued that the left helped him to not just live for oneself but for others.
Thereafter, Piyush Mishra went on explaining what drove him away from the leftism and in particular, the leftist leaders. In a bitter and direct assault at the leftist leaders, Piyush Mishra stated that they are gande log (nasty people). Exposing their hypocrisy, Mishra went on to argue that while the leftists say that it is a sin to earn money, they were all wealthy people and had no shortage of money. He added that now after seven years of Vipassana (meditation), he feels very different and detached from politics. Then, Mishra went on to narrate an ordeal that resonates with almost every leftist-turned realist Indian citizen. It was the story of how he became hopeful during the days of Anna’s 2011 anti-corruption movement that ultimately culminated into Arvind Kejriwal’s AAP dashing all hopes of alternative politics. Piyush Mishra stated that in 2011, when Anna saheb fasted at Jantar Mantar, he went to Delhi because he felt that every family should send at least one representative. Mishra stated that after a long time, someone had given a call for Swaraj. He then spoke in despair as to how he was shocked at what came out of that. Piyush Mishra added that everyone was inspired by Kejriwal and his comrades. But now, that alternative brand of politics has disappeared, dying a slow death. Mishra made no further remarks about Kejriwal but this single sentence tells a million stories about how not only Mishra but millions of Indian citizens felt after being betrayed by a left-inclining politician, Kejriwal.
Mishra did not stop here and attacked the Congress and the fountainhead of leftism, Nehru-Gandhi family for promoting dynastic succession. Talking about the idea of Swaraj, Mishra expressed wonder about how Swaraj will come when one family has ruled India and they are still promoting its current generation. He asked how there could be Swaraj as long as the Nehru-Gandhi family rules the country? In an apparent dig at the Congress, Mishra stated that as long as the Congress was in power we used to see what the next corruption scam would be- how could have there been Swaraj in such a situation? At this point, he also showered praise on the present PM Modi and stated that even though he is criticised for staying out of the country for too many days, he is taking care of the nation.
Mishra’s opinions about leftism and his entire journey explain everything that is wrong with leftism and leftists. Even though the ideology appeals instantly to human psyche and impresses upon, especially the young minds, it is nothing more than eyewash. This also limits its effectiveness, even though at a particular age many may get attracted towards it, leftism eventually weans out. At the end of the day, it is rife with fantasies, utopian ideals and most importantly, hypocrisies. This is the primary reason why even the toughest and most ardent of its followers ultimately get fed up with it. This is exactly what happened with Piyush Mishra. Leftism initially influenced him deeply and in fact, inspired many of his works but ultimately his Vipassana helped him get rid of it and see through its fallacies.