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Manisha Koirala (born 16 August 1970) is a Nepali actress primarily known for her work in Bollywood, along with films from South India and her native Nepal. Renowned for her acting skills, Koirala has received numerous accolades, including four Filmfare Awards, establishing her as one of India's most prominent actresses. Critics have observed that her unique acting style remains intact regardless of her commercial success. Born into the politically influential Koirala family, many of whose members have governed Nepal, she chose not to pursue politics. After a brief modeling career, she entered films and debuted in Bollywood with the blockbuster Saudagar (1991). Despite early challenges in making a mark, she became a leading actress in the 1990s with films like 1942: A Love Story (1994), Akele Hum Akele Tum (1995), Agni Sakshi (1996), and Gupt (1997). Koirala earned acclaim for taking on diverse and intense roles, delivering praised performances in critically acclaimed films such as Bombay (1995), Khamoshi: The Musical (1996), Dil Se.. (1998), Mann (1999), Lajja (2001), Company (2002), and Escape from Taliban (2003). These roles earned her several awards, including three Filmfare Critics Awards for Best Actress, a South Filmfare Award for Best Actress, and a Star Screen Award for Best Actress. Following this success, she experienced a decline as many of her films underperformed. However, her performances in the Malayalam drama Elektra and the anthology film I Am (both 2010), as well as the romantic comedy Mappillai (2011), were well-received. She paused her acting career in 2012 and returned in 2015 with the psychological thriller Chehere: A Modern Day Classic.
In 1999 and again in 2015, she was named a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Population Fund and participated in relief efforts following the 2015 Nepal earthquake. She actively supports causes such as women's rights, the prevention of violence against women, anti-human trafficking initiatives, and cancer awareness.
Manisha made a return to the silver screen with Sunaina Bhattnagar's Dear Maya, earning praise from fans and the industry across India. She has also been involved in motivational and social events.
She spoke alongside the Dalai Lama and the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh at the Women's Parliament in Amravati, advocating for increased female representation in boardrooms, courtrooms, schools, and universities to shape policies benefiting women. She emphasized the importance of women standing in solidarity. Her TEDx talk, which recounted her battle with cancer and her courageous triumph, resonated with millions worldwide. Manisha promotes early focus on personal health, advocating a holistic approach that nurtures mind, body, and soul rather than just physical well-being to maintain fitness and positivity.
