Neelesh Misra

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

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

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 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

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), 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. 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. 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]

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]