Back With A Bang

From hitting rock bottom to bouncing back stronger, hers is a story of rare courage and grit… In an absolutely heartwarming interview with ‘H&N’, Manisha Koirala bares all about fighting cancer, coping with divorce, making a comeback in Bollywood and more…

- Vinodini Krishnakumar

She played the role of cancer-struck Nargis in the movie ‘Sanju’ quite convincingly. Perhaps, somewhere, she could relate to it herself. The shock of being diagnosed with cancer, the pain of the treatment, the uncertainty of it all…

But today, it’s all behind her… Manisha Koirala, the Nepali beauty who mesmerized Indians with some splendid performances in the ‘90s, is back with a bang, after giving the dreadful ‘c’ word – cancer – a tough fight. She’s back in the movies too, wanting to better herself as an actress with each passing role. And if that’s not enough, she’s also an acclaimed motivational speaker inspiring people across the world with her life experiences and lessons.

MEETING MANISHA

We meet the 46-year-old at her beautifully done up house at Mumbai’s Yaari Road, a suburb home to many a Bollywood and TV star. Plenty of bougainvilla flowers and indoor plants adorn the living room of her 14th floor apartment. But what catches our eye is a big tree trunk decoratively placed right in the middle of the room giving you the illusion of being amidst nature. Antique wooden furniture and a wooden staircase leading up to the terrace lend the place a rustic feel, while the white curtains and sofas add serenity and calm. The big windows open out into the blue sky outside. Manisha’s home feels like a piece of heaven on earth.

Dressed casually in a printed house robe with hair tied back, she welcomes us warmly into her abode. The doe eyes still sparkle, and the smile is as radiant as ever…