Did Manisha Koirala Really Think She Was Going to Die When Diagnosed with Cancer?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Manisha Koirala faced her cancer diagnosis with resilience.
- She believes in rebuilding institutions for stability in Nepal.
- Her Bollywood journey began unexpectedly without formal training.
- Fame came with its challenges, leading to burnout.
- She remains committed to her roots while navigating global fame.
London, July 18 (NationPress) Renowned Bollywood star and cancer advocate Manisha Koirala opened up about her health journey, disclosing that upon receiving her cancer diagnosis, she felt that she was destined to die.
Manisha also discussed her perspectives on politics, life, and her career during a special gathering organized by Here & Now 365 at The Chambers, Taj 51 Buckingham Gate, London.
Revisiting her personal struggle with ovarian cancer in 2012, she stated: “When the doctor told me I had cancer, I thought, this is it. I’m going to die. But by God’s grace, I didn’t. I learned to live again. Resilience isn’t a heroic burst. It’s a series of small choices, made moment by moment.”
In a dialogue with Manish Tiwari, the founder of Here and Now 365, she expressed her thoughts on the political turmoil in Nepal.
“Every leader undoes what the previous leader did. That’s why democracy doesn’t seem to work in Nepal. No government lasts,” Koirala remarked.
Identifying herself as a committed “democrat,” she stated: “I believe Nepal needs a monarchy on top so there’s some balance.”
When asked about reconciling her family's political heritage with her international acclaim, she shared: “I love my country deeply. But I worry, there’s a longing for dignity and stability. We need to rebuild institutions, not just governments.”
The actress reflected on her over three-decade-long Bollywood career, recalling how she began without any formal training.
“I hadn’t even finished Class 12 and suddenly I was standing next to Dilip Kumar and Raj Kumar on a film set!”
Having starred in notable films like ‘1942: A Love Story’, ‘Bombay’, and ‘Dil Se’, she acknowledged that fame had its drawbacks.
“I burned out. I was working 18-19 hours a day… Slowly, I lost direction.”
During the event, Tiwari proposed that she lead a global film project to portray Nepal in a unique light.
Manisha responded: “That’s a seed you’ve planted today… let’s see what grows.”
Ending on a humorous note, she said: “The Koirala women are so liberated, girls want to be a Koirala but no man wants to marry a Koirala girl!”