Kumud Mishra is one of the most reliable character actors in modern Hindi cinema. He is the kind of performer directors call when a role needs depth, lived-in detail and quiet strength
Over three decades, Mishra has moved between stage, television and film. He has taken small parts that lodge in the mind. He has also carried entire stories on his shoulders. Audiences now recognize him for the humanity he brings to every part.
This article covers his early life, training and theatre roots, key films and performances, the shift to mainstream cinema, personal life, a compact stats table, frequently asked questions and a list of sources so you can read further.
Wherever possible the article uses verifiable sources for the most important facts.

Also Read: Adarsh Gourav’s Bio, Career, Movies, Net Worth, and Personal Life
Table of Contents
Kumud Mishra’s Biography
Early life and background
Kumud Mishra was born in a small town in central India. He grew up in a household that valued music and performance.
His father served in the Indian Army and the family moved several times during his childhood. That army background shaped his early schooling. Mishra attended the Rashtriya Military School in Belgaum.
The disciplined environment coexisted with a strong interest in theatre. Mishra’s curiosity for acting grew from school stage productions and local plays.
He later chose professional training at the National School of Drama in New Delhi, where he completed formal training in acting.
His theatre education gave him a foundation in voice, movement and textual analysis. These skills became central to his style as a character actor.1
Why training mattered
Theatre training at National School of Drama (NSD) is widely respected in India. NSD alumni often bring a discipline and process-driven approach to roles.
For Kumud Mishra this training translated into steady work on stage, television and later films. He built his craft in theatre before making a mark on screen.
That background explains the steadiness and thoughtfulness of his performances.2

Early Career: Theatre and Television
Mishra began his career in theatre and television. On television he worked in serials and teleplays that allowed him to experiment with a range of characters.
On stage he took part in plays that demanded a fuller engagement with character psychology. These early years were slower than the overnight success stories. But they were formative.
He honed timing, emotional control and the ability to build a character from small gestures. This made him a director’s asset once he started getting film offers.
Film Breakthrough and Steady Rise
Kumud Mishra’s film career has the quality of steady accumulation. He first appeared in films in the 1990s and took many years to break into the kind of mainstream parts that made his face familiar to wider audiences.
A notable early film that helped him gain visibility was Sardari Begum (1996) by Shyam Benegal. Over time Mishra moved from small but memorable bits to stronger supporting roles.
A watershed moment came with the musical drama Rockstar (2011). In that film Mishra played Khatana Bhai, a small-time but memorable character who inhabits Ranbir Kapoor’s world. Though not a leading role, the part stayed with viewers and critics. After Rockstar he began to receive more offers in notable films.
Over the next decade he appeared in a wide range of commercial and independent projects. This included crowd-pleasing blockbusters and thoughtful, issue-driven cinema.

Notable Films and Roles
Kumud Mishra’s filmography is long and varied.
Below are some of the most significant films and the reasons these parts matter:
-
Sardari Begum (1996) — Early work in a Shyam Benegal film that exposed him to serious cinema.
-
Rockstar (2011) — A turning point that made his face familiar across India. His small but textured portrayal of Khatana Bhai earned praise and led to more film offers.
-
Airlift (2016) — Played a supporting but important role in a large-scale film about a real event. Mishra’s grounded approach fit the film’s tone.
-
Mulk (2018) — Part of a film that combined social themes with courtroom drama. The film was notable for its ensemble cast.
-
Thappad (2020) — Played a key supporting role in a widely discussed film about family and respect. His work added texture to the domestic drama.
-
Ram Singh Charlie (2020, SonyLIV) — Mishra played the title role in this SonyLIV original. It was one of his first lead performances in film and showed his ability to carry a narrative with sensitivity.
-
Article 15, De De Pyaar De, Sultan, Tiger Zinda Hai, Bharat — Mishra has performed in both commercial blockbusters and issue-led films, showing range and adaptability.
Each of these choices shows a different facet of his craft. Some parts required restraint. Others needed a louder presence. He keeps choosing roles that speak to him rather than chasing only star-status parts.

TV, Web and Streaming work
Kumud Mishra has also worked on television and streaming platforms. He has embraced the web space as streaming services grew in India.
Projects on digital platforms gave him scope to play better-rounded characters over longer screen time. The move to OTT platforms allowed him to lead in smaller, focused narratives such as Ram Singh Charlie, where his performance was at the center of the story.
He continues to balance films, web projects and theatre.
Collaborations
Over the years Mishra has worked with directors from different sensibilities. He has appeared in mainstream commercial films and parallel cinema. The variety of collaborations has made him versatile.
Because he is not typecast, he gets to play politicians, fathers, bureaucrats and ordinary men.
Colleagues praise his preparedness on set and his willingness to explore character subtext. Interviews show that he values creative trust and family-like working relationships.
Also Read: Paresh Rawal’s Bio, Career, Movies, Family, Awards & Net Worth
Personal life
Kumud Mishra is married to actress Ayesha Raza Mishra. Their marriage reflects an inter-faith union with strong family support, which they have discussed in interviews. They have a son.
Both Kumud and Ayesha have spoken openly about the support their families gave during their marriage and their respect for each other’s choices.
Mishra keeps his personal life private while occasionally sharing anecdotes in interviews and panel discussions.3
Awards and Recognition
Kumud Mishra’s work has earned critical appreciation and occasional award nominations. He has won or been nominated for recognition in various Indian film and short film award forums.
His award record reflects respect from the industry rather than tabloid-style fame. For a character actor this pattern of steady critical recognition is typical.
Impact and legacy
Kumud Mishra belongs to a generation of actors who sustained theatre while moving into film and television. He represents a bridge between stage discipline and the demands of modern Indian cinema.
His influence is subtle. He shows younger actors that careful preparation and honesty in performance are often more durable than instant fame. Directors continue to seek him out for roles that require nuance.

Stats Table
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Kumud Mishra |
| Birthplace | Chakghat, Rewa (Madhya Pradesh), India (often cited as Allahabad-born and raised links also appear in interviews). |
| Education | Rashtriya Military School, Belgaum; National School of Drama, Delhi. |
| Occupation | Actor — theatre, television, film, web |
| Notable early films | Sardari Begum, 1971, That Girl in Yellow Boots |
| Breakthrough visibility | Rockstar (2011). |
| Lead role | Ram Singh Charlie (SonyLIV original) — title role. |
| Frequent film types | Supporting character roles in both commercial and independent films |
| Spouse | Ayesha Raza Mishra (actress). |
| Children | One son (publicly known). |
| Public persona | Private, craft-focused, theatre-rooted |
| Notable awards/nominations | Various nominations and wins in film and short film award circuits. |
Full Filmography Highlights
This is a selective list to show range rather than a complete filmography. For a full filmography please check film databases.
-
Sardari Begum (1996)
-
1971 (2007)
-
That Girl in Yellow Boots (2010)
-
Rockstar (2011).
-
Raanjhanaa
-
Mulk
-
Airlift (2016).
-
Thappad (2020).
-
Ram Singh Charlie (2020, SonyLIV).
-
Article 15
-
De De Pyaar De
-
Sultan
-
Tiger Zinda Hai
-
Bharat
-
Sooryavanshi
-
Tadap
View this post on Instagram
FAQ’s
Q1: Where was Kumud Mishra born?
A: Kumud Mishra’s family roots are in central India. Multiple profiles and interviews cite his early life around Chakghat, Rewa in Madhya Pradesh and links to Allahabad in some accounts. He studied in Belgaum at the Rashtriya Military School.
Q2: What is Kumud Mishra’s training?
A: He attended the National School of Drama in Delhi. Before that he completed schooling at the Rashtriya Military School in Belgaum. His NSD training underpins his theatre and screen work.
Q3: Who is Kumud Mishra married to?
A: He is married to actress Ayesha Raza Mishra. Their marriage has been discussed in interviews where they credit family support for their inter-faith union.
Q4: What was his breakthrough film?
A: Many cite Rockstar (2011) as a film that increased his visibility nationwide. Though he had worked in films earlier, Rockstar put his face in a new spotlight.
Q5: Has Kumud Mishra played lead roles?
A: Yes. One of his notable lead performances is in Ram Singh Charlie, a SonyLIV original where he played the title character. The film gave him a chance to anchor a full narrative.
Final thoughts
Kumud Mishra’s career is a study in steady craft and professional care. He built his reputation in theatre and translated that discipline to screen.
Directors value him for the nuance he brings to supporting parts. Audiences remember him because his characters feel like people they know.
Over the next few years he is likely to continue choosing parts that demand truth rather than spectacle. That trajectory is good for his legacy and for Indian cinema at large.
Also Read: Meezaan Jafri’s Bio, Age, Family, Movies, Career, Net Worth & More



