Manisha Koirala expresses interest in returning to Nepali cinema

KATHMANDU: Actress Manisha Koirala made her Bollywood debut after starring in the film Feri Bhetaula and later appeared in the Nepali film Dharmma.

With her successful career in Bollywood, Koirala left a mark on the global acting scene.

After overcoming cancer, she felt a significant change not only in her lifestyle but also in her perspective on life.

In the 8th edition of the Nepal International Film Festival (NIFF), which kicked off in Kathmandu on Thursday, Koirala shared during the Cinema Dialogue session that she is eager to work in Nepali films again.

She expressed, “I am interested in working in Nepali cinema, and Nepali writers and directors should feel free to propose new and unique themes to me. I have observed the recent changes in Nepali film production and the artistic direction.”

Koirala reminisced about encouraging Nepali filmmakers to tell their own stories during the early stages of her career.

She believes that Nepali cinema, often influenced by foreign films, has struggled to inspire creativity. In the dialogue, she also discussed the current success of both commercial and artistic films, stating, “The films being made now, in the style I advocated during the early years, are bringing joy. Artistic films have helped us gain recognition at international film festivals, while commercial films are setting new records. This is exciting news for filmmakers.”

Her recent work in the Indian web series Hiramandi, directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, garnered significant attention.

The series became popular both in India and Nepal. Koirala reunited with Bhansali for the first time in 28 years, having previously worked with him in the film Khamoshi. She praised Bhansali for giving her a role that allowed her to fully invest in her character, and she took language lessons to master the Urdu dialogue for the role.

“I tried to make my character come alive, and perhaps that’s why it became so popular,” she shared. “Even now, I do my work with a lot of joy and integrity.”

In the interaction, Koirala also clarified that she has no intention of entering politics or producing films.

However, she is currently working on a book, as she informed the audience. The festival will conclude this evening, as per the organizers.