Manisha Koirala
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| Manisha Koirala | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Image:Manisha.jpg A painting of her.([1]) | ||||||
| Birth name | Manisha B. Koirala | |||||
| Born | August 16 1970 Kathmandu, Nepal | |||||
| Occupation | Film actress | |||||
| Years active | 1989 – present | |||||
| Spouse(s) | None | |||||
| ||||||
Manisha Koirala (born on August 16, 1970 in Kathmandu, Nepal), is a prominent Bollywood actress, UNFPA Goodwill Ambassador and social activist. She is also an accomplished Bharatnatyam and Manipuri dancer.
Making her acting debut in the Nepali movie Pheri Bhetaula (1989), Koirala made her acting debut in Bollywood with Subhash Ghai's top grossing drama Saudagar (1991). She went on to collaborate with some of the most prominent film directors of her times, and throughout the 1990s, was one of the popular actresses in India, mostly credited for her critically acclaimed performances.
Noted for her willingness to portray diverse characters, Koirala primarily ventured into serious and realistic cinema, and though most of her films have not done well at the box office, her niche as an actor remains unharmed irrespective of box office collections. Today, she is considered to be one of the finest actresses in the Indian industry.
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[edit] Early life
Manisha Koirala was born into the politically prominent Koirala family; Her grandfather Bishweshwar Prasad Koirala was the Prime Minister of Nepal during the late 50s-early 60s, as well as two of her great uncles, Girija Prasad Koirala and MP Koirala. She studied at Army Public School, Dhaula Kuan, New Delhi and Vasant Kanya Mahavidhyalaya (VKM) Varanasi. She lived with her grandmother in Varanasi during her studies. Her ambition was to be a doctor, but a modelling stint opened a career path into Bollywood.[1]
Her brother Siddharth Koirala is also an actor, and collaborated with her once in the film Anwar.[2]
In 2004, she returned from New York after receiving a diploma in filmmaking. She became a member of an independent documentary filmmaker's society.[3]
[edit] Career
Her first film was Pheri Bhetaula (We shall meet again), a Nepali movie released in early 1989. Her first Hindi movie was Subhash Ghai's Saudagar in 1991. The film proved to be a good beginning, as it was the biggest hit of the year. After that, she went on to work with some of the most prominent film directors of Bollywood.
She went on to star in many critically and commercially successful films such as Vidhu Vinod Chopra's 1942: A Love Story (1994) and Mani Ratnam's Tamil film Bombay (1995). Her performance in the latter was critically appreciated and won her the Filmfare Best Performer Award. She was also seen in more commercial films. Her role as a reigning star in Mansoor Khan's romantic musical Akele Hum Akele Tum (1995) opposite Aamir Khan earned her a Filmfare nomination for Best Actress.
1996 was her year with her films Agni Sakshi doing well at the box office and her highly acclaimed performance in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's directional debut Khamoshi: The Musical, where she played a daughter to deaf parents. She won her second successive Filmfare Best Performer Award and a Star Screen Award for Best Actress for her performance in Khamoshi.
One year later in 1997, she played the leading role alongside Kajol and Bobby Deol in the thriller Gupt: The Hidden Truth, which was one of the biggest hits of the year.
She went to collaborate once again with Mani Ratnam, and starred in his award-winning film Dil Se (1998) opposite Shahrukh Khan. Her role received similar good reviews, and earned her various award nominations. Despite performing poorly at the box office in India, the film proved to be a hit overseas.[4]
Since then, she has been part of several critically and commercially successful projects. in 1999, she starred in the moderately successful Kachche Dhaage (1999), which was followed by six more releases, the most notable of them being Indra Kumar's drama Mann. She played the role of a traffic accident victim in the film, which entered into the top five highest grossing films of the year.[5] Her performance in the film won her favorable reviews. Film critic M. Ali Ikram wrote about her performance, "If there is respite for Manisha's innumerable fans of late, this flick is it. We may not care about hits and flops, but it is painful to watch this acting virtuoso in the innumerable side roles she has been seen in of late. Indra Kumar's decision to cast Manisha here, is a case of perfect casting, and she never lets him or the audience down. This lady is truly the Meena Kumari of her generation. It is great fun watching Manisha and Aamir [Khan]'s perfect chemistry opposite one another. The film's climax has both stars permanently molding a spot for themselves in Bollywood history, and it will have you shedding tears by the bucketful."[6]
In 2001, she played the leading role in Rajkumar Santoshi's drama Lajja along with an ensemble cast that included Rekha, Anil Kapoor, Madhuri Dixit and Jackie Shroff. The film received a good reception from critics and Koirala's performance was particularly praised. She next starred in the drama Grahan, and her portrayal of a rape victim who quests for justice was much appreciated as well.
In 2002, she starred opposite Ajay Devgan in Ram Gopal Verma's Company. The film was critically acclaimed, as well as Koirala's performance in it, and she won her third Filmfare Best Performer Award. Critic Alok Kumar wrote about her performance, "Manisha Koirala has yet another solid performance to add to her already overflowing portfolio of excellent roles. She has proved herself once again with a powerful and sensitive performance. She holds her own in every scene she's in and is amazing in her emotional scenes, displaying confidence and maturity. Her new look suits her well. Here's a girl who can really act."[7]
After years of success, in 2003 Koirala left the mainstream cinema. She was seen in several low budget films, yet not less challenging roles. She ventured into strong woman-oriented films in 2003, such as Escape From Taliban which won her the BFJA Best Actress Award. She then played the main protagonist in the movie Market where she enacted a role of a prostitute, portraying a whole life story.
After receiving a diploma in filmmaking, she produced the small-budget caper-comedy Paisa Vasool (2004) in which she starred along with Sushmita Sen and was directed by Srinivas Bhashyam; this was probably the first ever chick-flick in Indian cinema in that it did not have a male lead nor a love story.
Overall, Koirala starred as the leading role in 6 high-budget, successful Tamil movies: Bombay (1994) co-starring Arvind Swamy, Indian (1996) co-starring Kamal Hassan, Mudhalvan (1999) co-starring Arjun, Aalavandhan (2001) co-starring Kamal Hassan, Baba (2002) co-starring Rajnikanth and Mumbai Express (2005) co-starring Kamal Hassan.
Since then, She has appeared in various unsuccessful films, some of which being well received by critics, such as the thriller Tum - A Dangerous Obsession (2005), and the horror film Anjaane - The Unknown (2006).
Her last release was Anwar in 2007. She has completed the shooting for Rituparno Ghosh's film Khela, and is set to star in Deepa Mehta's patriotic foreign film Exclusion alongside John Abraham.
[edit] Social Work
In September 1999, Koirala was appointed as a UNFPA Goodwill Ambassador.[1] She is actively involved in social work, specifically working with organizations to promote women’s rights, prevention of violence against women, and also to prevent the human trafficking of Nepali girls for prostitution.[1]
[edit] Controversies
[edit] Ek Chotisi Love Story
In 2002, Manisha accused the director of the film Ek Chotisi Love Story Shashilal Nair of using Koirala's body double to shoot some love scenes in the film and portraying her in bad light by shooting obscene postures using another actress in her place, without Manisha's approval to do so. Koirala required from Nair to re-shoot these scenes because the double's body did not match her physique and required that these scenes be deleted from the film. She later claimed that Nair had stipulated to re-shoot the scenes only if she agrees to bear half the expenses.
| “ | I always believed in Shashi. I did this film out of sheer goodwill. I had nothing to gain from it financially as I did the film for free. I also gave him all the dates immediately. It was his first chance to direct a film in four years. He has a family to support and I couldn't bear to see a friend in hardship.[8] | ” |
Koirala decided to sue Nair and dragged him to court. She has moved the court against him, and objected to the alleged nudity and obscene postures, and pleaded that these scenes be deleted from the film, saying she had not performed in these scenes and that Nair had made use of another actress for this. Koirala.[8] Finally, the court decided to stay the release of the film.[9]
[edit] The pet case
Another controversy occurred in February 2006, when a wake of protests by section of people following a media report claimed Koirala had named her pet dog after a revered Muslim figure, which caused to demonstrations against her. Koirala was provided police security to prevent any problem. In the following days, The accusations continued. However, Koirala denied the accusations and the Police said the actress had no pet at all.[10]
[edit] Awards
Awards Won
- 1996, Filmfare Critics Award for Best Performance, Bombay
- 1997, Filmfare Critics Award for Best Performance, Khamoshi: The Musical
- 1997, Star Screen Award Best Actress, Khamoshi: The Musical
- 2003, Filmfare Critics Award for Best Performance, Company
- 2004, Bengal Film Journalists' Association Awards, Best Actress, Escape From Taliban
Awards Nominated
- 1995, Filmfare Best Actress Award, 1942:A Love Story
- 1996, Filmfare Best Actress Award, Bombay
- 1996, Filmfare Best Actress Award, Akele Hum Akele Tum
- 1997, Filmfare Best Actress Award, Khamoshi: The Musical
- 1997, Filmfare Best Actress Award, Agni Sakshi
- 1999, Filmfare Best Actress Award, Dil Se
[edit] Filmography
| Year | Film | Role | Other notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Pheri Bhetaula | Nepali film | |
| 1991 | First Love Letter | Radha | |
| Saudagar | Radha | ||
| 1992 | Yalgaar | Meghna Kumar | |
| 1993 | Insaaniyat Ke Devta | Nisha | |
| Anmol | Anmol | ||
| Dhanwan | Anjali Chopra | ||
| 1994 | Yun Hi Kabhi | Pooja | |
| 1942: A Love Story | Rajeshwari Pathak | ||
| Sangdil Sanam | Sanam | ||
| 1995 | Bombay | Shaila Bano | Winner, Filmfare Critics Award for Best Performance; Tamil film |
| Anokha Andaz | |||
| Milan | Priya | ||
| Criminal | Shweta Kumar | ||
| Guddu | Salina Gupta | ||
| Ram Shastra | Anjali Sinha | ||
| Akele Hum Akele Tum | Kiran Kumar | ||
| 1996 | Dushmani | Sapna Oberoi | |
| Agni Sakshi | Shubhangi/Madhu | ||
| Yeh Majhdhaar | Radha Rai | ||
| Khamoshi: The Musical | Annie | Winner, Filmfare Critics Award for Best Performance & Nominated, Filmfare Best Actress Award | |
| Indian | Ishwarya | Tamil film | |
| 1997 | Sanam | Sanam | |
| Loha | Manisha Koirala | ||
| Gupt: The Hidden Truth | Sheetal Choudhry | ||
| Dil Ke Jharokhe Mein | Suman | ||
| 1998 | Yugpurush | Sunita | |
| Achanak | Pooja | ||
| Dil Se | Meghna | ||
| Maharaja | Shaili Mathur | ||
| 1999 | Kachche Dhaage | Rukhsana | |
| Lal Baadshah | Kiran (Life Insurance Agent) | ||
| Laawaris | Anshu Mehra | ||
| Jaihind | Sheetal | ||
| Mudhalvan | Thenmozhi | Tamil film | |
| Kartoos | Mini | ||
| Mann | Priya Verma | ||
| Hindustan Ki Kasam | Roshanaara | ||
| 2000 | Champion | Sapna Khanna | |
| Khauff | Neha | ||
| Baaghi | Rani | ||
| Raja Ko Rani Se Pyar Ho Gaya | Manisha/Sapna Khanna | ||
| 2001 | Grahan | Paro, Parvati Shastri | |
| Chhupa Rustam | Nisha | ||
| Lajja | Vaidehi | ||
| Aalavandhan | Sharmilee | Tamil film | |
| Moksha | Ritika Sanyal | ||
| 2002 | Company | Saroja | Winner, Filmfare Critics Award for Best Performance |
| Jaani Dushman: Ek Anokhi Kahani | Vasundhara/Divya | ||
| Ek Chotisi Love Story | The Woman | ||
| Baba | Chamundeeswari | Tamil film | |
| 2003 | Escape From Taliban | Sushmita Bannerjee/Sayed Kamal | |
| Calcutta Mail | Sanjana | ||
| Market | Muskaan Bano/Kaalia | ||
| 2004 | Paisa Vasool | Maria | |
| Tum - A Dangerous Obsession | Kamini | ||
| 2005 | Chaahat - Ek Nasha | Mallika Arora | |
| Mumbai Express | Ahalya | Tamil film | |
| Taj Mahal: An Eternal Love Story | Princess Jahan Ara | ||
| 2006 | Anjaane - The Unknown | Shivani Malhotra | |
| Darwaza Bandh Rakho | Julie | ||
| 2007 | Anwar | Anita | Released |
| Dus Kahaniyaan | Pre-production | ||
| God Tussi Great Ho | Sheetal | In production | |
| Khela | Post-production | ||
| 2008 | Exclusion | In production |
[edit] See also
| Awards | ||
|---|---|---|
| Filmfare Award | ||
| Preceded by Farida Jalal for Mammo | Best Actress (Critics) for Bombay 1996 | Succeeded by Manisha Koirala for Khamoshi: The Musical |
| Preceded by Manisha Koirala for Bombay | Best Actress (Critics) for Khamoshi: The Musical 1997 | Succeeded by Tabu for Virasat |
| Preceded by Karisma Kapoor for Zubeidaa | Best Actress (Critics) for Company tied with Rani Mukerji for Saathiya 2003 | Succeeded by Urmila Matondkar for Bhoot |
[edit] References
- ^ a b c Who's Who: Biographycal notes. "Un.org". July 26, 2007
- ^ "Siddharth Koirala makes a serious comeback. No 'Fun' this time." IndiaFM. November 11, 2006.
- ^ "Suresh Kohli and Manisha Koirala - More than a survivor." The Hindu. May 11, 2006.
- ^ "Dil Se emerged a hit in the overseas market", Box Office India. July 27, 2007.
- ^ Mann and Kachche Dhaage doing moderately well. Box Office India. Accessed July 28, 2007.
- ^ Ikram, M. Ali (July 9, 1999). Film review: Mann. Planet Bollywood. Accessed September 22, 2007.
- ^ Kumar, Alok (April 12, 2002). Film review: Company. Planet Bollywood. Accessed September 22, 2007.
- ^ a b "Koirala's controversy with Shashikal Nair. Times of India. June 6, 2007.
- ^ "HC stays release of Ek Choti Si Love Story." Times of India. September 5, 2002.
- ^ Koirala finds herself in a controversy.Times of India. June 6, 2007.
[edit] External links
| Persondata | |
|---|---|
| NAME | Koirala, Manisha |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | |
| SHORT DESCRIPTION | Film actress |
| DATE OF BIRTH | August 16, 1970 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Kathmandu, Nepal |
| DATE OF DEATH | |
| PLACE OF DEATH | |
fr:Manisha Koirala pl:Manisha Koirala sv:Manisha Koirala ta:மனீசா கொய்ராளா
