• Source:JND
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Manisha Koirala was one of the biggest stars in the 90s as she gave critically acclaimed performances in movies like Dil Se.., Bombay, Khamoshi: The Musical, 1942: A Love Story to name a few. But the actress admitted that she was ‘insecure’ about one of her contemporaries Madhuri Dixit. She even turned down a very popular movie Dil To Pagal Hai as Dixit was playing the parallel lead in the film. The actress was offered to play the role of Nisha in Yash Chopra’s movie opposite Shah Rukh Khan but rejected it due to her insecurities. The Heeramandi star now regrets not doing the film and further stated that Madhuri Dixit is a beautiful actress.

In an interview with Zoom, Manisha said “It was my insecurity, foolishness, childishness. One of the biggest dreams of an actress is to shoot with Yash Chopra so when he offered me Dil To Pagal Hai, I should have grabbed it. I should have taken on the challenge. Madhuri ji bhot hi khubsoorat adakara hai aur mujhe unse inspire hona chahiye tha lekin uss time akal nahi thi.”

She added, “So many reasons. She was very beautiful and talented. I got insecure. Despite all the right things with Bombay, I almost said no to it. That would have been a blunder mistake. In fact, people around you feed you with insecurities. You are just 19-20 years old and given mother’s role which typecasts you. That was a psychological thing that if you were offered mothers’ role, your career was finished. I listened to these people. I regret missing out on a lot of films during this phase.”

Manisha Koirala and Madhuri Dixit later appeared in Raj Kumar Santoshi’s 2001 film Lajja. The talented actresses also gave a hit number Badi Mushkil Baba Badi Mushkil from the movie which is still remembered at times. 


Manisha Koirala was last seen in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's web series Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar. The show was released on Netflix on May 01.