Indian actor, singer and writer Piyush Mishra offered a sharp wake-up call to Gen Z during his appearance at Sahitya Aaj Tak 2025, warning them against getting lost in the glitter of social media likes. In an exclusive interview with Aaj Tak’s Anjana Om Kashyap, he urged young people to prioritize meaningful work over fleeting online approval. “Do some work … likes don’t give you work,” he said.
Mishra emphasized that genuine satisfaction comes from doing your karma working consistently and with purpose rather than chasing validation through likes and followers. He told Gen Z not to live “a second-rate life … like a corpse,” arguing that merely existing for social media popularity is a hollow pursuit. He added pointedly: “Will you do what your father says or just what your friends say?”
Reflecting on his own journey, Mishra shared that he has worked hard throughout his life, even in difficult times, and encouraged youngsters to do the same. “Don’t sit idle,” he said, urging them to act rather than just dream.
He also expressed deep love for youth, but warned that the path to success rarely matches the instant-gratification culture on social media. Mishra said what truly lasts is consistent effort: “Whatever happened after I did my karma … do not run after instant likes.”
On a personal note, Mishra spoke about his autonomy and creative identity: he referred to his upcoming autobiography, Tumhari Aukaat Kya Hai Piyush Mishra, and discussed his decades-long friendship with filmmaker Anurag Kashyap acknowledging that their perspectives sometimes differ, but respect endures.
