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Manisha Koirala calls Kamal Haasan as “one of the brilliant minds” she has worked with

After battling cancer and facing personal challenges, the actor slowed down in the past decade, appearing in only a few films.

BySouth First Desk

Published Jul 01, 2024 | 8:56 PM ⚊ Updated Jul 01, 2024 | 11:44 PM

Kamal Haasan was in Mumbai to promote his upcoming film, 'Indian 2', the sequel to 'Indian' (1996).

Manisha Koirala recently shared a photo with her Indian co-star, Kamal Haasan. In her post, she praised the actor-politician as one of the most brilliant minds she has worked with.

Kamal Haasan was in Mumbai to promote his upcoming film, Indian 2, the sequel to Indian (1996). Manisha Koirala, who has also co-starred with Haasan in Aalavandhan (released in Hindi as Abhay) in 2001 and Mumbai Xpress in 2005.

Although Aalavandhan was a commercial disappointment upon its release, it gained a positive reception over the following years, eventually becoming a cult classic. Some critics even described the film as “ahead of its time.” The Tamil version of Mumbai Xpress was released on 14 April 2005, coinciding with the releases of Rajinikanth’s Chandramukhi and Vijay’s Sachein. The Hindi version was released the next day.

In a previous post, Manisha Koirala mentioned watching Kalki 2898 AD, where Haasan plays the main antagonist, Supreme Yaskin. Directed by Nag Ashwin, this star-studded sci-fi epic has surpassed the ₹500 crore mark, since its release.

Also read: Kalki 2898 AD: Kamal Haasan, a hero and villain for the ages

Unconventional heroine

Manisha Koirala in ‘Bombay’. (Facebook)

Manisha Koirala, a prominent Indian movie star of the 90s, delivered unforgettable performances in films like Bombay (1995), Dil Se (1998), and Mudhalvan (1999). After battling cancer and facing personal challenges, she slowed down in the past decade, appearing in only a few films.

Nonetheless, she continued to impress audiences, notably with her performance in Dibakar Banerjee’s short film, in the anthology Lust Stories (2018), followed by Shehzada (2023), and Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar (2024). In an interview, she described herself as a greedy actor, expressing her desire to surpass the roles she typically received.

‘A gypsy at heart’

In another conversation, Manisha Koirala reflected on her battle with cancer, which led her to contemplate her mortality. She shared that she has had a fulfilling journey as an actor and feels content. “If a filmmaker I trust offers me an exciting role, I’ll eagerly accept it. Otherwise, I’m happy doing nothing. I’ll travel, read, practice organic farming, hike, and live away from the spotlight,” she was quoted, as saying.

Even at the height of her career, Koirala wasn’t solely focused on mainstream films and often chose offbeat projects. She refuses to be confined to a specific type, saying, “I am free-spirited. I like to explore new areas. I am a gypsy at heart.”

In the 90s, Koirala juggled up to 12 films simultaneously, working three shifts a day with no breaks for three to four years. Now, she prefers roles that suit her age and a work pace that suits her lifestyle. She has moved away from metro life, desiring to be near the sea, mountains, and nature.

(Edited by S Subhakeerthana)

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