Manisha Koirala

Some Lesser Known Facts About Manisha Koirala

• Manisha Koirala grew up in Nepal and India.

  

• While she was studying in school, she participated in various extra-curricular activities.

  

• In childhood, she started her training in various dance forms like Bharatanatyam and Kathak.

• During her school days, after some political movement in Nepal, her family shifted from Nepal to Banaras, India.

  

• While growing up, she wanted to become a doctor. However, later, she developed an interest in acting.

• Initially, her father wanted her to join politics. Her grandmother supported her to pursue her dream of becoming an actor.

• In 1989, the Indian film journalist Meena Ayyar met Manisha. Meena introduced her to the Indian filmmakers Subhash Ghai, Shekhar Kapur, and Boney Kapoor. All three decided to sign her in their films.

• In the 1990s, she acted in various popular Hindi films like ‘1942: A Love Story’ (1994), ‘Criminal’ (1995), ‘Akele Hum Akele Tum’ (1995), ‘Khamoshi: The Musical’ (1996), ‘Gupt: The Hidden Truth’ (1997), and ‘Dil Se..’ (1998).

• After the release of the Hindi film ‘Saudagar’ in 1991, rumours started that the Indian film director Subhash Ghai had taken sexual favours from her. Later, it was said that Manisha’s mother had spread the news to keep Manisha in the limelight. ^[3]The Times of India

• Manisha was appointed as UNFPA Goodwill Ambassador for India in 1999.

•  In the 2000s, she appeared in many Hindi films such as ‘Lajja’ (2001), ‘Company’ (2002), ‘Lust Stories’ (2018), and ‘Shehzada’ (2023).

  

• Manisha has acted in films of a few other languages. Some of such films are ‘Indian’ (1996; Tamil), ‘Mudhalvan’ (1999; Tamil), and ‘Oru Melliya Kodu’ (2016; Tamil).

  

• In 2000, she co-hosted the Hindi reality TV show ‘Sawaal Dus Crore Ka.’

  

• She has lent her voice to the Tamil song “Hey! Who Are You” from the film ‘Aalavandhan’ (2001).

• She appeared in the 2003 Hindi documentary ‘Larger Than Life.’

• In 2004, she produced the Hindi film ‘Paisa Vasool.’

• In November 2012, Manisha was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer. Earlier, she was unaware of it and consulted a doctor only after she started feeling weak. Initially, she consulted doctors in Nepal and then in India. For surgery, she went to the US. In 2014, she was declared cancer-free.

  

• In 2015, she judged the beauty pageant Femina Miss India.

• In the same year, Manisha was appointed as the UNFPA Goodwill Ambassador for Nepal.

• She was appointed as Goodwill Ambassador of Urban Development for the Bagmati Cleanup Mega Campaign in 2017.

• In 2017, she was invited to TEDx Talks in Udaipur, Rajasthan.

  

• In 2018, she co-authored her book titled ‘Healed’ which was later, translated in Nepali.

  

• She portrayed the Indian actress Nargis in the Hindi film ‘Sanju’ in 2018.

  

• The Indian actress Aishwarya Rai once shared that Manisha had spread false information against Aishwarya’s relationships.

• Manisha has been actively involved in various social welfare activities for women welfare and cancer survivors.

• In 2020, she started ‘Manisha Koirala Cancer Education Fund’ to provide educational scholarships to cancer victims.

  

• She was featured in the Hindi romantic musical ’99 Songs’ in 2021 by AR Rahman.

• In 2023, she acted in the Hindi TV series ‘Freedom.’

• She played the role of Malikajaan in the Netflix Hindi web series ‘Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar’ in 2024.

• As per her Instagram bio, she is a cinephile (a person who is fond of the cinema) and a nature lover.

• Manisha is an avid animal lover and has a pet dog named Mowgli Koirala and a pet cat named Oeo. Earlier, she had another pet dog named Sparky who had died.

  

• To remain fit, she regularly visits a gym and practices yoga.

  

• She has walked the ramp in various fashion shows.

  

• She has been featured on the cover of various magazines like Filmfare, Health & Nutrition, TMM, and Perfect Woman.

  

• Manisha and her family follows the spiritual institution Oneness University.

  

• She is a religious person and has a deep faith in God.

  

• She is often spotted consuming alcohol at parties and events.

  

• Earlier, she was a chain smoker however after she was diagnosed with cancer, she quit it.

  

• She has been working as a motivational speaker after she recovered from cancer.

• Manisha has started a blog site.

• She once shared that in her younger days, she had a crush on the Indian actor Sanjay Dutt.

• In 2024, she met the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Rishi Sunak to celebrate the 100 years friendship treaty between UK and Nepal.

  

Dil Se..

Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar

Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar