EP-234 | Exile in Banaras, Battle with Cancer, Bollywood Journey & Nepali Politics | Manisha Koirala

Manisha Koirala is a renowned Nepali-Indian actress known for her exceptional talent and versatility in Hindi, Nepali, and South Indian cinema. Born in Kathmandu, she comes from a prominent Nepali political family. Manisha has delivered some powerful performances in iconic films like Bombay, 1942: A Love Story, Dil Se, and Khamoshi: The Musical. Known for her skill in portraying deep and complex characters, she returned to the spotlight with the OTT series Heeramandi, earning significant critical acclaim.

In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, veteran actress Manisha Koirala opens up about her journey in Bollywood, sharing behind-the-scenes stories from her acclaimed films such as 1942: A Love Story, Khamoshi, Dil Se, Bombay, and Heeramandi. She reflects on her experiences within the industry, discussing the ways Bollywood has evolved over the years.

A cancer survivor, Manisha speaks on her advocacy for cancer awareness, emphasizing the importance of timely treatment. She also shares her thoughts on spirituality and the central role of family in her life.

0:00 - Introduction

0:40 - The Cult of '1942: A Love Story'

5:25 - The Story Behind 'Khamoshi'

7:35 - Behind the Scenes of 'Heeramandi'

10:50 - How Bollywood Changed Over the Years

16:18 - The 'Bombay' Controversy

19:27 - The Original 'Dil Se' Plot

24:50 - The Making of 'Heeramandi'

30:00 - Battling with Cancer

37:12 - The Legacy of Koirala Family

45:10 - Navigating Through Bollywood

49:25 - Friendships & Relationships

51:33 - A Director's Actor

53:43 - Political Volatility in Nepal

58:22 - The Massacre of Nepal’s Royal Family

1:00:38 - Role of Spirituality

1:01:41 - Raising Cancer Awareness

1:05:17 - The Importance of Therapy

1:07:00 - Speaking Up on Women's Issues

1:09:38 - Nepal's Human Trafficking Crisis

1:10:50 - Mantra & Goals

1:11:46 - The Importance of Family