Bollywood icon Manisha Koirala opened up about her heart-wrenching battle with ovarian cancer and shared her unfiltered thoughts on Nepal’s political turmoil during an exclusive event hosted by Here & Now 365 at The Chambers, Taj 51 Buckingham Gate, London.
In a candid conversation with Manish Tiwari, founder of Here and Now 365, Manisha revealed the moment her world turned upside down. “When the doctor said I had cancer in 2012, I was convinced that was the end,” she confessed. “I thought, ‘This is it, I’m going to die.’ But by some miracle, I survived. It taught me resilience isn’t about grand gestures—it’s about choosing to keep going, one step at a time.”
Manisha didn’t hold back on Nepal’s political chaos either. “Every new leader dismantles what the last one built. Democracy in Nepal feels like a revolving door,” she said. The Heeramandi star proposed a bold solution: “I think Nepal needs a monarchy to restore balance and stability.”
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Balancing her family’s political roots with her global stardom, Manisha expressed her deep love for Nepal but voiced concerns about its future. “We need dignity and strong institutions, not just new governments,” she urged.sh
Reflecting on her 30-year Bollywood journey, the actress recalled her early days working alongside legends like Dilip Kumar and Raj Kumar without any formal training. “I was just a kid who hadn’t even finished Class 12, thrown onto a film set!” she laughed. Iconic roles in 1942: A Love Story, Bombay, and Dil Se followed, but the grueling 18-19 hour workdays led to burnout. “I lost my way for a while,” she admitted.
When Tiwari suggested she spearhead a global film to showcase Nepal’s untold stories, Manisha’s eyes lit up. “You’ve planted a seed. Let’s see where it takes us,” she said, hinting at exciting future projects.
Ending on a playful note, she quipped, “Koirala women are so fiercely independent, every girl wants to be one, but no man dares to marry us.
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