Manisha Koirala, a name that resonates with talent, beauty, and resilience, is a renowned actress who has left an indelible mark in the Indian film industry. The Bollywood Actress, Born in Nepal, she ventured into Bollywood, transcending borders and cultures, and established herself as one of the leading actresses of her time.
This blog post delves into the life and career of this remarkable woman, shedding light on her early life, personal relationships, career highlights, and more.
Early Life and Upbringing
Manisha Koirala was born on August 16, 1970, into the politically prominent Koirala family in Biratnagar, Nepal. Her father, Prakash Koirala, was a politician and former Cabinet minister, while her mother, Sushma Koirala, was a homemaker.
She spent her early life in Varanasi at her maternal grandmother’s home, later moving to Delhi to study at the Army Public School at Dhaula Kuan. She then pursued a diploma in filmmaking from the New York University.
Personal Life – Age, Zodiac Sign
| Personal Details | Personal Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Manisha Koirala |
| Nickname | Manu, Manya |
| Alternative Names(s) (also known as) | Manisha Koirala |
| Date of Birth | 16 August 1970 |
| Age (as of 2023) | 53 Years |
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Zodiac Sign | Leo |
| Nationality | Nepalese and Indian |
| Birthplace | Kathmandu, Nepal |
| Hometown | Delhi, India |
| Current Address | Not available |
| Education Qualification | Diploma in Film Making |
| Hobbies and Interests | Traveling, Reading, Playing Basketball, Listening to Music |
| Languages Known | Nepali, Hindi, English, Tamil, Telugu, Bengali, Malayalam, Kannada |
| Social Media Profiles link (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter) | [Facebook], [Instagram], [Twitter] |
| Wikipedia Profile link | Manisha Koirala |
| IMDb Profile link | Manisha Koirala |
| Website link | N/A |
Physical Appearance – Height, Weight, Body Measurements
| Physical Stats | Information |
|---|---|
| Body Type | Slim |
| Body Measurements (Chest – Waist – Hips) | 36-34-38 inches |
| Height in feet, inches, cm | 5 feet 5 inches (1.65 m) |
| Weight in kg, lbs | 63 kg (139 lbs) |
| Chest | 36 inches |
| Waist | 34 inches |
| Biceps | N/A |
| Eye Colour | Brown |
| Hair Colour | Black and Brown |
| Hairstyle | Medium length, straight or wavy |
| Distinctive Features | N/A |
| Tattoos | N/A |
Family and Relationships – Boyfriend/Husband, Affairs
Manisha Koirala was born on August 16, 1970, into the politically prominent Koirala family in Biratnagar, Nepal. Her father, Prakash Koirala, was a politician and former Cabinet minister, while her mother, Sushma Koirala, was a homemaker.
She spent her early life in Varanasi at her maternal grandmother’s home, later moving to Delhi to study at the Army Public School at Dhaula Kuan. She then pursued a diploma in filmmaking from the New York University.
| Relationships Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Marital Status | Divorced |
| Spouse – Husband | Samrat Dahal (Businessman) |
| Father | Prakash Koirala (Former Nepalese Politician) |
| Mother | Sushma Koirala (Homemaker) |
| Children | N/A |
| Siblings | Siddharth Koirala (Younger, Actor) |
| Affairs – Boyfriend(s) | Vivek Mushran (Actor), Sandeep Chowta (Music Director), Nana Patekar (Actor), Cecil Anthony (Nigerian Businessman), DJ Whosane (DJ), Aryan Vaid (Model and Actor), Akshay (Actor), Prashant Chaudhari (Restaurateur), Christopher Dorris (Sports Counselor and Entrepreneur) |
| Significant Relationships | N/a |
Rise to Stardom
Manisha made her acting debut with the Nepali film ‘Pheri Bhetaula’ in 1989. However, it was her Hindi film debut in Subhash Ghai’s ‘Saudagar’ in 1991 that brought her recognition16.
Despite initial commercial failures, she established herself as a leading actress with the romantic dramas ‘1942: A Love Story’ (1994) and the Tamil-language ‘Bombay’ (1995).
Debut Film – Pheri Bhetaula
Successful Film – Lal Badshah
Career, Awards, and Achievements
Manisha Koirala’s career is adorned with numerous accolades and critical acclaim. She has received several awards for her performances, including four Filmfare Awards. She has worked in over 85 movies, spanning various genres and languages.
Her portrayals of diverse characters in films like ‘Akele Hum Akele Tum’ (1995), ‘Khamoshi: The Musical’ (1996), ‘Dil Se…’ (1998), and ‘Lajja’ (2001) have been highly appreciated.
| Career Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Profession(s) | Actress, Producer, Social Activist |
| Debut Film | Pheri Bhetaula (1989) as a Nepali debut, Saudagar (1991) as a Bollywood debut |
| Notable Roles | Manisha in Saudagar (1991), Kiran in 1942: A Love Story (1994), Annie in Bombay (1995), Meghna in Dil Se… (1998), Sushmita in Khamoshi: The Musical (1996), Naina in Gupt: The Hidden Truth (1997), Shweta Sharma in Mann (1999), Nargis Dutt in Sanju (2018) |
| Recent Films – New Movies | Prasthanam (2019), Maska (2020), Penguin Bloom (2020) |
| Upcoming Films | Shehzada 17 February, 2023 |
| Popular Television Series | The Indian Detective (2017), Lust Stories (2018) |
| Awards and Achievements | Four Filmfare Awards for Best Actress for Bombay, Dil Se…, Khamoshi: The Musical and Mann, Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actress for Company, Order of Gorkha Dakshin Bahu from the Government of Nepal, Outstanding Achievement Award from London Indian Film Festival, among others |
| Endorsements/Brand Collaborations | Lux, Frooti, Clinic Plus, Dabur Vatika, etc. |
| Philanthropy/Charity Work | UNFPA Goodwill Ambassador for Nepal, Cancer survivor and awareness campaigner, Supporter of various causes such as women empowerment, education, environment, etc. |
| Professional Associations | N/A |
| Training and Education | Diploma in Film Making from New York University |
| Production Company | MK Films |
| Box Office Success – Hit Movies | Saudagar (1991), 1942: A Love Story (1994), Bombay (1995), Dil Se… (1998), Mann (1999), Sanju (2018) |
| Critical Acclaim Movies | Bombay (1995), Dil Se… (1998), Khamoshi: The Musical (1996), Company (2002), Escape from Taliban (2003), I Am (2010) |
Assets and Finances – Net Worth
| Financial Profile | Financial Profile |
|---|---|
| Net Worth in Rs. and Dollars | Rs. 80 crore ($11 million) |
| Per Movie Charges in Rs. and Dollars | Rs. 70 crore ($10 million) |
| Per Endorsement Charges in Rs. and Dollars | Rs. 60 crore ($9 million) |
| Sponsorship Deals | Lux, Frooti, Clinic Plus, Dabur Vatika, etc. |
| Business Ventures | MK Films (production company) |
| Investments | N/A |
| Real Estate Holdings | A bungalow in Mumbai |
| Luxury Items/Properties Owned | N/A |
| Cars Collection | Audo 8 ,BMW |
Favourite Things, Likes and Dislikes
| Favorite Things | Information |
|---|---|
| Favorite Actor | Kamal Haasan |
| Favorite Actress | Ingrid Bergman, Meryl Streep, Whoopi Goldberg |
| Favorite Film | Dil Se.. (1998) · 2. Khamoshi the Musical (1996). Moksha: Salvation (2001) |
| Favorite Music Bands | Raja Ko Rani Se Pyar Ho Gaya,Tu Hi Re, Tu Hi Re Tere Bina ,Main Kaise Jiyu |
| Favorite Sport | Basketball |
| Favorite Books | Not available |
| Favorite Color | White |
| Favorite Food | Spicy tofu |
| Things s/he like | Traveling, Reading, Playing Basketball, Listening to Music, Working with creative people |
| Things s/he dislike | N/A |
Top 5 Best Films – Manisha Koirala
| Film Name | Year of Release | Character Played |
| Bombay | 1995 | Shaila Bano |
| Dil Se… | 1998 | Moina |
| Khamoshi: The Musical | 1996 | Annie |
| Company | 2002 | Saroja |
| 1942: A Love Story | 1994 | Rajeshwari Pathak |
Controversies – Manisha Koirala
- Accusation of giving ‘Supari’ for a film producer’s murder.
- Trolling and discrimination in Bollywood.
- Accusation of boyfriend Rajeev Mulchandani dumping Aishwarya Rai for her.
- Gangster Abu Salem’s shocking statement linking her to producer Mukesh Duggal and secretary Ajit Deewani’s murders.
- Rumors of her involvement with the underworld.
Interesting Facts – Manisha Koirala
- Manisha Koirala is the granddaughter of Bishweshwar Prasad Koirala, the former Prime Minister of Nepal.
- She initially aspired to be a doctor before a modeling stint led her to Bollywood.
- She has mastered the art of Bharatnatyam and Manipuri dances.
- She took a break from acting after being diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2012 and returned five years later with the film ‘Dear Maya’.
- She promotes causes such as women’s rights, prevention of violence against women, prevention of human trafficking, and cancer awareness.
- She has worked in Nepali, Tamil, Telugu, Bengali, Malayalam, Kannada, and English films.
Manisha Koirala’s journey from Nepal to Bollywood is a testament to her talent, determination, and resilience. Despite the challenges and controversies, she has carved a niche for herself in the Indian film industry and continues to inspire many with her performances and off-screen endeavors.
Her story is a powerful reminder that talent knows no boundaries and that with perseverance, one can overcome even the most daunting obstacles.
