Vishal Mishra opens up on lifelong insomnia: 'Sleep and I were never friends'
Synopsis
Vishal Mishra, the voice behind Kaise Hua and Pehle Bhi Main, has revealed he has never had a healthy relationship with sleep — and that a quiet piano song he shared online is the closest he has come to imagining what true rest feels like. It is a rare moment of unfiltered candour from one of Bollywood's busiest composers.
Key Takeaways
Vishal Mishra publicly disclosed a lifelong struggle with insomnia in a social media post shared on 31 July .
He described a piano-led song he shared as his 'safe dream' — a musical approximation of the peace sleep has never given him.
The 35-year-old composer is known for chart-toppers including Kaise Hua (Kabir Singh), Pehle Bhi Main , Jaan Ban Gaye , and Kya Bataun Tujhe .
Mishra began his career after appearing on a DD National reality show and made his composing debut with the Tamil film Devi in 2016 .
He has collaborated with Salman Khan , Anurag Kashyap , and leading Bollywood productions across more than a decade.
Singer-composer Vishal Mishra, celebrated for chart-toppers such as Pehle Bhi Main, Kaise Hua, Jaan Ban Gaye, and Kya Bataun Tujhe, has publicly opened up about a lifelong battle with insomnia — admitting that restful sleep has remained an elusive companion throughout his life.
The Post That Started the Conversation
Mishra shared a video of himself playing the piano and singing a gentle track centred on the theme of sleep. Alongside the clip, he posted a heartfelt note in a mix of Hindi and English, writing: 'I have struggled with sleep all my life, neend aur humari dosti nahi hui!! par ye gana aisa lagta hai ki kabhi sukoon se soya toh kaisa lagega! This is like my safe dream. Sorry random info hai but for people who struggle with sleep, i feel you!!'
In essence, the 35-year-old artist described the song as a window into the tranquillity he has always yearned for — a 'safe dream' that music alone has been able to offer him. His candid admission resonated with fans and fellow sufferers of sleep disorders, drawing an outpouring of responses online.
A Career Built on Emotion
Mishra's journey to becoming one of Bollywood's most sought-after composers was far from straightforward. He first appeared on a reality show broadcast on DD National and later auditioned for Indian Idol, only to be disqualified. Undeterred, he pivoted to composition, making his debut with the 2016 Tamil film Devi.
A year later, he composed Jaane De — sung by Atif Aslam — for the soundtrack of Qarib Qarib Singlle (2017), while also contributing to Munna Michael, which doubled as his singing debut, and the Marathi film FU: Friendship Unlimited.
Milestones With Salman Khan and Beyond
2018 proved a landmark year. Mishra composed the melody Rafta Rafta for Yamla Pagla Deewana Phir Se, a music video featuring Salman Khan in a special appearance. He followed it with the romantic number Selfish — written by and starring Khan — for the action film Race 3, and the title track of Veere Di Wedding, featuring Kareena Kapoor Khan, Sonam Kapoor, Swara Bhasker, and Shikha Talsania.
His first outing as a solo composer for both songs and background score came with the Salman Khan-produced romantic drama Notebook. Mass recognition arrived with Kaise Hua from Kabir Singh, a track that became a defining anthem of its era. He subsequently scored the soundtrack for Saand Ki Aankh, the Anurag Kashyap-produced biopic on the lives of the Shooter Dadis.
Why the Disclosure Matters
Celebrities speaking openly about sleep disorders and mental wellness remain relatively rare in Indian entertainment. Mishra's candid post — framed not as a promotional moment but as a personal confession — adds to a growing, if still tentative, culture of vulnerability among public figures. Notably, he addressed fellow insomnia sufferers directly, signalling that the disclosure was as much about community as it was about self-expression.
Point of View
But it deserves a second look. Insomnia is chronically under-discussed in the Indian entertainment industry, where the public persona of a composer is almost always tied to output — the next hit, the next film. A figure of his commercial stature saying 'I feel you' to anonymous sufferers online is a small but meaningful crack in that armour. Whether it sparks a wider conversation about sleep health among creative professionals, or fades as a viral moment, depends on whether the industry treats it as a prompt or a footnote.
NationPress
31 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Vishal Mishra say about his sleep struggle?
Vishal Mishra revealed that he has battled insomnia throughout his life, writing that 'sleep and I have never really been friends.' He shared the admission alongside a video of himself playing the piano and singing a song he described as his 'safe dream' — a musical image of the peace that sleep has denied him.
Which songs is Vishal Mishra best known for?
Vishal Mishra is best known for Kaise Hua from Kabir Singh, Pehle Bhi Main, Jaan Ban Gaye, and Kya Bataun Tujhe. He has composed music for films including Race 3, Veere Di Wedding, Notebook, and Saand Ki Aankh.
When did Vishal Mishra start his career in Bollywood?
Mishra made his composing debut in 2016 with the Tamil film Devi. His singing debut came with the film Munna Michael in 2017, and he rose to widespread recognition with Kaise Hua from Kabir Singh.
Why is Vishal Mishra's insomnia disclosure significant?
Celebrities openly discussing sleep disorders remain rare in Indian entertainment. Mishra's candid post, addressed directly to others who struggle with sleep, reflects a gradual shift toward greater vulnerability among public figures in the industry.
