In a candid revelation that caught the attention of the Indian film industry, veteran actress Manisha Koirala spoke about the career choices that have shaped her journey in Bollywood. As she eagerly awaits the release of her latest venture, the Netflix series ‘Heeramandi’, Manisha Koirala opened up about one of her biggest regrets — declining a film by the legendary director Yash Chopra due to the presence of esteemed actress Madhuri Dixit in the cast.
The revelation came during an interaction with India Today, where Koirala, with an air of nostalgic introspection, disclosed her decision to step back from the project fearing she would be overshadowed by Madhuri Dixit, a formidable force in the industry. “One of the regrets that I have in my career is that I didn’t do Yash Chopra’s film. I was pitted against Madhuri ji (Dixit), and I got scared. I backed out of that project,” she expressed with a hint of rue.
At the time, the decision seemed dictated by intimidation and insecurity, which are not uncommon in the competitive landscape of cinema. However, Manisha’s later years in the industry brought her face to face with her erstwhile concern. When director Raj Santoshi approached her with ‘Lajja’, a film distinct for its women-centric narrative, Koirala seized the opportunity. It was a chance to right a past wrong and collaborate with Madhuri Dixit in an environment imbued with far less apprehension.
Koirala praised Madhuri Dixit, often referred to as the ‘Dhak Dhak girl’, for her exceptional acting skills and for being an inspiring presence on set. Recounting her experience, she said, “Madhuri ji is such a good person and actress. There was no need for me to be insecure. I think when you have a strong actor in front of you, you only perform better. They encourage you to perform better.” This positive reflection betrays a wisdom that only time and experience can bestow.
The role which Manisha Koirala chose not to pursue was eventually played by Karisma Kapoor in ‘Dil Toh Pagal Hai’, a film that acquired cult status and featured the iconic ‘Dance of Envy’ between Kapoor and Dixit. The movie went on to become a milestone in the careers of those involved.
Today, Manisha Koirala is in the limelight again, anticipating the premiere of ‘Heeramandi’, Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s foray into streaming content. Set against the tumultuous backdrop of 1940s pre-independent India, Koirala portrays the formidable Mallikajaan, a matriarch who dominates an elite house of courtesans. Her character is complex and layered, crafted with Bhansali’s typical penchant for strong, influential women.
The narrative of ‘Heeramandi’ intertwines the personal vendettas and dramatic relationships within the house with the larger socio-political upheaval outside, as the subcontinent inches towards independence. Mallikajaan’s domain faces tremors with the arrival of the daughter of her late enemy. Played by Sonakshi Sinha, the character brings the simmering tensions to a fierce boiling point within their enclosed world.
Aditi Rao Hydari portrays Bibbojaan, another of Mallikajaan’s daughters, who engages in the struggle for India’s freedom from British rule. The youngest, Alamzeb, essayed by Sharmin Segal, nurses dreams of romance with a noblemen’s son, navigating the complex web of desires and obligations.
Reflecting on her prolific career, Koirala has gracefully embraced her past insecurities and learned from them, emerging as an actress who is not only secure in her craft but also in the roles she chooses. As the industry eagerly anticipates her performance in ‘Heeramandi’, it celebrates an actress whose journey through the highs and lows of Bollywood has been as rich and nuanced as the roles she portrays.
