MUMBAI: Rashmi Virag aka Virag Mishra, known for songs, Muskurane Ki Wajah, Hamari Adhuri Kahaani and Bol Do Na Zara had turned to direction. His directorial debut happens to be Neelofar, a short film.

The film is directed as well as written by Virag and it released yesterday. It stars veteran actor Satish Kaushik along with actor Harshvardhan Deo. “Song writing cannot be a full-time profession. If one has the capability and the zeal to explore, why shouldn’t he try different things,” questions the lyricist.

Through his short film Neelofar, Virag wants to bring back the Salim- Javed cinematic experience, something that they created with Sholay.

From hotel management to advertising agency to a known lyricist to now a writer and director of a film, Virag has done it all successfully.

Virag Mishra who has no lyrical or musical background says, "I belong to a family of doctors and engineers, my parents were doctors, my brother is an engineer and is working abroad. My parents are still unclear about my profession, but somewhere they know that whatever I am doing, I am doing it well."

Elaborating on his lyrics writing style Virag states, “I love to write meaningful lyrics. I write songs according to the actual situation of the film. Most of my songs are based on my past experiences."

Virag who totally believes in woman empowerment uses his wife's name with his. He wasn’t always known as Rashmi Virag, but it all changed with one song.  Muskurane Ki Wajah Tum Ho, which he considers as a turning point of his career, lead to him changing his name. “My wife, Rashmi had a huge contribution to make to that song,” confesses Virag who has since, been known as Rashmi Virag.