Manisha Koirala

Manisha Koirala (born 16 August 1970) is a Nepali actress who mainly appears in Bollywood, though she has worked in several South Indian and her native country’s films. Noted for her acting prowess, Koirala is the recipient of several accolades, including four Filmfare Awards-and is one of India’s most well-known actresses. Critics have noted that her niche as an actor remains unharmed irrespective of her commercial potent. Manisha was born into the politically prominent Koirala family, in which several of her family members went on to rule the nation, but she did not aspire to pursue a career in politics. A stint in modeling opened a career path in films, and she made her Bollywood debut with the top-grossing production Saudagar (1991). In spite of initial struggle to leave a mark, she went on to establish herself as one of the leading actresses in the 1990s with such films as 1942: A Love Story (1994), Akele Hum Akele Tum (1995), Agni Sakshi (1996) and Gupt (1997). Koirala gained particular recognition for her willingness to experiment with a variety of strong, dramatic roles, and she delivered several acclaimed performances in a range of films that did well with critics, including Bombay (1995), Khamoshi: The Musical (1996), Dil Se.. (1998), Mann (1999), Lajja (2001), Company (2002), and Escape from Taliban (2003). These films brought Koirala several awards and nominations, including three Filmfare Critics Awards for Best Actress, a South Filmfare Award for Best Actress, and a Star Screen Award Best Actress, among others. This was followed by a major period of decline when most of her films failed to do well. Her work in the Malyalam drama Elektra, the anthology film I Am (both 2010), and the romantic comedy Mappillai (2011) was received well, but she took a break from acting in 2012 to return three years later with the psychological thriller Chehere: A Modern Day Classic (2015).She was appointed as the Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Population Fund in 1999 and 2015, and was involved in the relief works after the Nepal earthquake 2015. She promotes various causes such as women’s rights, prevention of violence against women, prevention of human trafficking and cancer awareness.Manisha was seen back on the Silver Screen with Sunaina Bhattnagar’s Dear Maya. Manisha received appreciation from her fans and industry from across the whole of India. She has been seen doing some amazing motivational and social events.She was one of the speakers along side Dalai Lama and CM of Andhra Pradesh at the Womens’s Parliament, Amravati. She advocated on how we need more women in our board rooms, court rooms, schools and universities to make policies for women and that women should stand in solidarity for each other. Manisha’s TEDx talk touched hearts of millions of people and she has received appreciation from across worldwide for same. She spoke about her struggle with cancer and her brave victory as a warrior and highly advocates on how focusing from early day on our personal health can do wonders. Her philosophy is to focus on mind, body and soul rather than just physical body to stay fit and positive.

Movies

1942 A Love Story

Circa British rule over India in the year 1942 where Indians are either revolutionaries or supporters of the British. In the midst there is wealthy Narendra Singh alias Naren whose romance with a poor yet beautiful girl, Rajeshwari Pathak alias Rajjo brew changes over the entire scenario but unfortunately there…

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Dil Se

Amar Varma, a producer for Indian news radio, meets an enigmatic woman at a railroad station and then again at a hill station. He falls in love with her, but the woman, who calls herself Meghna, rejects and leaves him although she seems to be interested. Later, Varma agrees to…

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Lajja

Vaidehi (Manisha Koirala) gets married to Raghuvir (Jackie Shroff), an NRI. Suffering the agony of an unhappy marriage, she decides to run away from him when she learns that she is pregnant and he wants to take the child away from her. In her pursuit for freedom, she meets Mythili…

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Sanju

Few lives in our times are as dramatic and enigmatic as the saga of Sanjay Dutt. Coming from a family of cinema legends, he himself became a film star, and then saw dizzying heights and darkest depths: adulation of die-hard fans, unending battles with various addictions, brushes with the underworld,…

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Anwar

Anwar is a Muslim who lives a middle-class lifestyle in Lucknow, India, along with his mom, brother, and Bhabhi, Suraiya. Anwar is doing a research on ancient Hindu Mandirs. They rent out a room to a poor widow and her attractive daughter, Mehru. Anwar falls in love with her. Anwar…

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Maharaja

Fearing his death, Ranbir Singh (Salim Ghouse) decides to kill Kohinoor when he is a child, in vain though. After 20 years Kohinoor (Govinda) returns to claim his rightful place in the kingdom. He has developed advanced powers over matter and animals, which he uses to his advance to free…

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Mann

Karan Dev Singh and Priya Verma are to get married to their respective partners but before this could happen Karan who is a flirt manages to meet with Priya on a cruise that hails from Singapore to India. They meet, fight, befriend each other and eventually fall in love fully…

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Indian

Circa the British rule in India, a man named Senapathy decides to rebel against the British in a violent way, learns a rare martial art that enables him to kill with his bare hands, and travels to Singapore, joins the Indian Liberation Army formed by renowned Subhash Chandra Bose, is…

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Fun Facts

but Masoom is also my all-time favourite movie. I remember I cried bitterly the first time I saw the film. I guess I could empathise with the little boy because I was equally young at the time. Jugal Hansraj looked so innocent and helpless; he always managed to touch my heart... He had this halting and unsure speech. Each time he wanted to say something

Quotes

Im basically tired of doing what I have been doing for the last 10 years. My interest level was dipping. I was doing a fairly good job, when compared to others. The standards I have set for myself are higher. When I watched the Broadway show Miss Saigon, I was ashamed of being called an actress. The leading lady's performance was outstanding. I was ashamed that I am in the same profession but could not touch those heights.

People appreciating my performance is good enough for me. I don't care much for awards and have never given it much thought. And anyway, I can't play the games people play to win awards.

I can't play chulbuli roles all over again. Give me roles like I had in Company and Escape from Taliban and I will happily do them. I came from nowhere, made a mark. I am happy. Looking back there are no regrets.

I won't do decorative roles even if they are a part of hit films.

In Nepal, where I come from, people die for their beliefs. I can never compromise on my principles. I can't play games to get roles.

I guess being an extremist proves harmful and that's why my relationships haven't lasted.

I wish I could be like other actresses who claim they haven't kissed even at the age of 27!

I can't see myself changing nappies and cooking dinner for too long. I'm too independent to live off a man's earnings.

I refuse to be a doormat to any man. I will never allow anyone to push me around. I am my own mistress.

"Not only is it a film that sears my heart each time I see it