by Nilma Dole
Meeting the famous Manisha Koirala is like having a date with destiny. Exuding charm and grace, this talented actress is humble and good-natured giving you a first good impression.
Manisha B. Koirala was born to an elite and wealthy family in Nepal but was more interested in acting than taking over her family’s political reins. She said, “My family has been supportive of my endeavours back then and even though we don’t have any acting blood in the family, I was happy to set a different standard of my own,” she said.
Last year Manisha got married to Samrat Dahal in a traditional ceremony and now is taking to more mature roles in Bollywood films. However, this does not mean that she’s ending her career but playing characters with more exuberance and dexterity. Vividly remembering her in Khamoshi and Akele Hum, Akele Tum, Manisha was an ‘It’ girl in the Bollywood scene in the 1990s. “I wanted to be a doctor but a modelling stint paved the way for a possible acting career. I haven’t looked back ever since,” she said. Likewise, her roles in several box office hits have garnered her the reputation as a talented actress who can reduce even the hardest of men to tears.
“I started out in a Nepali film but it was only in 1942:A Love Story and Bombay that I was recognised as a Bollywood actress,” she said. Manisha won several Filmfare awards for her roles in the two aforementioned movies as well as Dil Se, Company and Escape from Taliban.
Manisha said she never gave up when it came to getting the right balance for her movies and she seems very committed to making a difference in the world. Being a UNFPA Goodwill Ambassador and social activist has opened her eyes to world suffering. Speaking about her acting career in Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam films, Manisha said that since India has such a diverse culture and she herself being Nepali, she wanted to reach a wider audience and wanted to speak languages to bridge the gap.
“I always wanted to prove myself as an actress who was never restricted to one particular stream which is why I found that doing challenging roles in different languages and various ethnicities was instrumental,” she said. What’s more, she is also an accomplished Bharatnatyam and Manipuri dancer.
Making her acting debut in the Nepali film, Pheri Bhetaula in 1989, Koirala made her Bollywood debut in 1991 with Subhash Ghai’s top-grossing drama, Saudagar. She went on to collaborate with some of the most prominent Indian filmmakers of her times, and throughout the 1990s, was one of the best-known actresses in India, mostly recognised for her critically acclaimed performances.
Manisha who is indeed worth her weight in gold says, “It’s not easy being in the public eye and having a stereotypical image of how fans portray you to be a Bollywood actress. One should have determination and courage to ensure that they achieve their goals without worrying about negativity around.” Manisha was happy to be in Sri Lanka and hopes to link with the local film industry too, provided there is a chance opportunity. She is confident that she’ll be back again to have a proper holiday!
Pic: Thilak Perera
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