Manisha Koirala was offered Dil to Pagal Hai

Manisha Koirala believes learning is a part of life and sets this rule for other Bollywood actress as well

Despite the recent hardships in her personal life, Manisha Koirala is looking lovely. The actress who ruled the box office in the past recently went through a divorce.

Shrugging aside the many ups and downs in her life, she instead chooses to focus on her Bollywood journey, which she describes as 'interesting, unpredictable, joyous and full of lessons'. In a candid chat, the reclusive 42- year-old talks about her upcoming film with RGV, life and the future.

What change do you see in Ramu as a director today?
During the shooting of Company the last film we worked together in we barely got time to interact. This time around, although the film was shot in a relatively shorter period, we got to spend much more time together and I observed that he's still the same, focused guy. I adore him and his work.

Would you call this your comeback film?
Not really. I did Onir's offbeat I Am last year, so calling this my comeback film would be incorrect.

Sridevi, Madhuri Dixit, Raveena Tandon too are making their big screen comeback?
I think they are all wonderful actresses. I love Sridevi's work and having seen the trailer of her upcoming film, I must say she's looking beautiful. I'm looking forward to her film.


Why did you move away from mainstream Hindi cinema?
I started losing interest. Some people are content with doing whatever they're doing, all their life. I'm a wanderer. I like to explore and see if there is something else for me.

That's why I took a break and went to New York University to complete a filmmaking course, though I'm not putting it to any use right now (laughs).

So you will turn director soon?
I've been offered a couple of films. Maybe in a month's time, I'll take a call on that.

With over two decades in Bollywood, do you harbour regrets?
It's important to make your own mistakes rather than follow others' instructions, especially in this industry. In terms of my acting career, I do have regrets. There were plenty of films that I should have done but I didn't.

For instance, Dil Toh Pagal Hai was offered to me besides other such good films with good directors. Out of my sheer stupidity, I chose not to be a part of them.


Who is your favourite among young actors?
Ranbir Kapoor comes naturally to my mind as he has shown such range at a young age. I also liked Ayushmann Khurrana in Vicky Donor.

And actresses?
Vidya Balan is brilliant and I think Parineeti Chopra is promising too.

Courtesy: Mid-Day.com

Who cares after all these years.

^^i genuinely dont think it was a bad decision...

Originally posted by: pathaka

^^i genuinely dont think it was a bad decision...

she did films which earned her far more respect as an actor like dil se, bombay etc...

I agree.. but she would have been really popular with DTPH.. I'm guessing she was offered Madhuri's role because she wouldn't suit Karishma's role in the movie..

^Oh she is doing a movie now ..So the PR starts.. Bhoot Returns. Reg DTPH , Both Karishma and Madhuri were excellent dancers and I don't think Manisha was a good dancer. She was always known more for acting than dancing. Her dancing in Gupt was awful.

i think she was offered Karishma's role which was not that great of a role, though Karishma did get national award for it. I guess she didnt want to be sidelined by Madhuri.

Originally posted by: -ChillMahaul-

I agree.. but she would have been really popular with DTPH.. I'm guessing she was offered Madhuri's role because she wouldn't suit Karishma's role in the movie..

no she was offered Karisma's role! Many actresses rejected it before lolo

I don't think Manisha was a bad dancer. She did that song with Madhuri called Baadi Muskhil right? It's hard to even attempt to dance with Madhuri. I think she did pretty well in the song! And with a choreographer like Shaimak, she would have learned loads.

Not just Manisha but every actress in Bollywood apart from Karishma rejected the role of the supporting actress in DTPH. They were all scared of being sidelined by Madhuri.

She has Bombay, Dil Se, Khamoshi, Agni Saakshi, 1942 Love Story and Grahan in her filmography but she is whining about rejecting Dil Toh Pagal Hain? Silly woman. 😆