Created by Tudu Hommie
Last edited April 25, 2026


Koirala during the promotions of Bhoot Returns in 2012.

Manisha Koirala is a Nepalese actress known for her work in Hindi and Tamil films.[1] Koirala's acting debut was in the Nepali film Pheri Bhetaula (1989).[2] Two years later, she made her Bollywood debut in Subhash Ghai's Saudagar, which was a commercial success.[3][4] However, she followed this by appearing in a series of films which performed poorly at the box office, including First Love Letter (1991), Anmol (1993), and Dhanwan (1993).[3] Koirala's career had a turnaround when she starred as the daughter of a freedom fighter in Vidhu Vinod Chopra's 1942: A Love Story (1994).[3][5][6][7] Her performance was critically acclaimed and she earned a nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Actress.[3][5][8] The following year, Koirala received the Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actress, and the Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Tamil for playing a Muslim married to a Hindu during the 1992–1993 Bombay riots in the Mani Ratnam-directed Tamil drama Bombay (1995).[3][8][9][10]

For playing the daughter of a mute and deaf couple in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Khamoshi: The Musical (1996), Koirala garnered a second consecutive Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actress.[3][9][11] She followed this with leading roles in Agni Sakshi (1996) and Gupt: The Hidden Truth (1997), which were among the highest-grossing Indian films of their respective years.[12][13] She played a terrorist opposite Shah Rukh Khan in Dil Se.. (1998), the first Indian film to reach the top ten in the United Kingdom box office.[14] However, Koirala's roles in films which performed poorly at the box office, such as Dil Ke Jharokhe Mein (1997), and Achanak (1998), led to a decline in her film career.[3][11] She made her television debut in 2000 as the co-host of the game show Sawaal Dus Crore Ka with Anupam Kher. The show's poor ratings led to both Kher and Koirala being fired.[15] For her role as a gangster's girlfriend in Ram Gopal Varma's 2002 crime drama Company, she received her third Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actress.[16][17]Template:Efn Koirala also appeared in the controversial film Ek Chhotisi Love Story in which she played a woman secretly spied upon by a teenage voyeur.[18] The following year, her portrayal of Bengali writer Sushmita Banerjee in the drama Escape from Taliban garnered her the Bengal Film Journalists' Association Award for Best Actress (Hindi).[19][20][21]

Koirala's career continued to decline during mid 2000s, as she appeared in less mainstream films.[22] In 2004, she made her debut as a producer with the film Paisa Vasool,[23] which performed poorly at the box office.[24] The following year, she portrayed Mughal princess Jahan Ara in the historical drama Taj Mahal: An Eternal Love Story.[25] In 2008, Koirala starred in Rituparno Ghosh's Khela, where she played a woman in a troubled marriage.[26] Two years later, she appeared as an adulterous wife in the Malayalam drama Elektra.[27] The following year, she played a Kashmiri Muslim attempting to restore a childhood friendship in Onir's anthology film I Am (2011).[28] In 2012, she appeared in Ram Gopal Varma's horror sequel Bhoot Returns as the mother of a possessed daughter.[29] Later that year, she took a break from acting after being diagnosed with ovarian cancer. After six months of treatment, Koirala recovered from the condition.[30][31] Three years later, she returned to acting with the psychological thriller Chehere: A Modern Day Classic (2015).[32]

Film

Template:Pending films key

Year Title Role(s) Language(s) Notes Ref(s)
1989 Pheri Bhetaula Template:Unknown Nepali [2][33]
1991 Saudagar Radha Singh Thakur Hindi [2][34]
First Love Letter Template:Sortname [35]
1992 Yalgaar Template:Sortname [36]
1993 Insaaniyat Ke Devta Nisha [37]
Anmol Anmol [38]
Dhanwan Imli [39]
1994 Yuhi Kabhi Pooja [40]
Milan Priya [41]
1942: A Love Story Template:Sortname Nominated—Filmfare Award for Best Actress [42]
Criminal Swetha Telugu
Hindi
Bilingual film [43]
Sangdil Sanam Sanam Hindi [44]
1995 Criminal Swetha [43]
Bombay Template:Sortname Tamil Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actress
Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Tamil
[3][8]
Anokha Andaaz Reema Hindi [45]
Guddu Template:Sortname [46]
Ram Shastra Template:Sortname [47]
Akele Hum Akele Tum Template:Sortname Nominated—Filmfare Award for Best Actress [48][49]
Dushmani: A Violent Love Story Template:Sortname [50]
1996 Agni Sakshi Shubhangi / MadhuTemplate:Efn [51]
Majhdhaar Template:Sortname [52]
Indian Aishwarya Tamil [53][54][55]
Khamoshi: The Musical Annie Hindi Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actress
Nominated—Filmfare Award for Best Actress
[56]
[9]
1997 Sanam Sanam [57]
Gupt: The Hidden Truth Template:Sortname [58]
Dil Ke Jharokhe Mein Suman [59]
Loha Cameo Special appearance [60]
1998 Yugpurush Sunita [61]
Salaakhen Cameo Special appearance in song "Pichhu Pade Hai" [62][63]
Achanak Pooja [64]
Dil Se.. Meghna Nominated—Filmfare Award for Best Actress [65]
Maharaja Template:Sortname [66][67]
1999 Kachche Dhaage Rukhsana [68][69]
Lal Baadshah Kiran [70]
Laawaris Template:Sortname [71]
Jai Hind Sheetal [72]
Mudhalvan Thenmozhi Tamil [73]
[74]
Kartoos Manpreet Kaur (Mini) Hindi [75]
Mann Template:Sortname [76]
Hindustan Ki Kasam Roshanaara [77]
2000 Khauff Neha Verma [78]
Baaghi Rani [79]
[80]
Raja Ko Rani Se Pyar Ho Gaya Manisha [81]
Champion Template:Sortname [82][83]
2001 Grahan Template:Sortname [84]
Chhupa Rustam: A Musical Thriller Nisha [85]
Lajja Vaidehi [86]
Aalavandhan
Abhay
Sharmilee Tamil
Hindi
Simultaneously shot and released in Hindi and Tamil [87][88][89]
Moksha Template:Sortname Hindi [90]
2002 Company Saroja Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actress [16][17]
Jaani Dushman: Ek Anokhi Kahani Vasundhara
Divya
[91]
Ek Chotisi Love Story Template:Sortname [92]
Baba Chamundeswari Tamil [93]
2003 Escape from Taliban Template:Sortname / Sayed KamalTemplate:Efn Hindi [94]
Calcutta Mail Sanjana [95]
Market Template:Sortname [96]
[97]
2004 Paisa Vasool Maria Also producer [23]
Tum?: A Dangerous Obsession Kamini [98]
2005 Chaahat – Ek Nasha Template:Sortname [99]
Mumbai Xpress Ahalya Tamil Simultaneously shot and released in Tamil and Hindi [100]
Hindi
Taj Mahal: An Eternal Love Story Jahan Ara Hindi [101][102]
Anjaane – The Unknown Shivani [103]
2006 Darwaza Bandh Rakho Julie [104]
2007 Anwar Anita [105]
2008 Tulsi Tulsi [106][107]
Nagaram Cameo Telugu Special appearance in song "Hoshiyare Hoshiyare" [108][109]
Sirf....Life Looks Greener on the Other Side Devika Hindi [110]
Mehbooba Varsha Mehra / PayalTemplate:Efn [111]
Khela Sheela Bengali [26]
2009 Do Paise Ki Dhoop, Chaar Aane Ki Baarish Juhi Hindi [112]
2010 Ek Second... Jo Zindagi Badal De? Rashi [113]
Dharmaa Gauri Nepali [114]
Elektra Diana Malayalam [115]
2011 Mappillai Rajeswari Tamil Nominated—Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress (Tamil) [116]
I Am Rubaina Hindi [117]
2012 Bhoot Returns Namrata [118]
2015 Chehere: A Modern Day Classic Tarana [119]
2016 Game
Oru Melliya Kodu
Maya Kannada Simultaneously shot in Kannada and Tamil [120][121][122]
Tamil
Edavappathy Sumithra / MathangiTemplate:Efn Malayalam [123]
2017 Dear Maya Template:Sortname Hindi [124]
2018 Lust Stories Reena Anthology film [125]
Sanju Nargis [126]
2019 Prassthanam Template:Sortname [127]
2020 Maska Diana Irani [128]
2021 99 Songs Psychologist [129]
India Sweets and Spices Sheila English [130]
2023 Shehzada Yashoda Hindi [131]

Television

Year Title Role Language Notes Template:Abbr
2000 Sawaal Dus Crore Ka Co-host Hindi [15]
2003 Larger Than Life Herself Documentary [132]
2015 Femina Miss India 2015 Judge [133]
2024 Heeramandi:The Diamond Bazaar Malikajaan Netflix Original [134]

Notes

Template:Notelist

References

  1. Manisha Koirala set to join Nepal politics?, Pradhan, Shirish(18 October 2009). Retrieved 12 June 2016.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 Mahima, Manisha, Madhuri: Subhash Ghai's leading ladies, Then and Now!. Rediff.com(23 April 2014). Retrieved 3 June 2016.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 I, Me, Myself, Verma, Sukanya. Rediff.com. Retrieved 20 July 2015.
  4. The economics of moviemaking(24 October 2002). Retrieved 25 July 2015.
  5. 5.0 5.1 Manisha Koirala, 1942: A Love Story. Retrieved 23 July 2015.
  6. Encyclopedia of Indian Cinema{{#if:|, {{{last}}}}. Routledge(10 July 2014). ISBN 978-1-135-94318-9
  7. 1942 – A Love Story. British Film Institute. Retrieved 5 June 2016.
  8. 8.0 8.1 8.2 Manisha Koirala's 12 Most Powerful Performances. Times Internet(30 November 2012). Retrieved 23 July 2015.
  9. 9.0 9.1 9.2 Filmfare Awards: Manisha Koirala Loved That Ranbir Kapoor Touched Rekha's Feet. NDTV(9 February 2015). Retrieved 20 July 2015.
  10. Cinematic Terror: A Global History of Terrorism on Film{{#if:Shaw|, Shaw}. Bloomsbury Publishing(20 November 2014). ISBN 978-1-4411-5809-3
  11. 11.0 11.1 The Manisha phenomenon(9 April 2002). Retrieved 23 July 2015.
  12. Top Worldwide Grossers 1996. Box Office India. Retrieved 23 July 2015.
  13. Top Worldwide Grossers 1997. Box Office India. Retrieved 23 July 2015.
  14. Template:Cite magazine
  15. 15.0 15.1 Questions galore on Sawal Dus Crore Ka. The Times of India(11 December 2000). Retrieved 19 July 2015.
  16. 16.0 16.1 Review: 'Company'. Variety(21 February 2003). Retrieved 20 July 2015.
  17. 17.0 17.1 Shah Rukh, Ash, Ajay Devgan's rich haul(22 February 2003). Retrieved 20 July 2015.
  18. Ek Chotisi Love Story. The Hindu(22 November 2002). Retrieved 1 June 2016.
  19. 67th Annual BFJA Awards. Bengal Film Journalists' Association Awards.
  20. Escape From Taliban — A True Story. BBC. Retrieved 1 June 2016.
  21. "Escape from Taliban" author Sushmita Banerjee shot dead in Afghanistan. Reuters(6 September 2013). Retrieved 1 June 2016.
  22. Birthday special: Manisha Koirala's dramatic life in pictures. Daily Bhaskar(16 August 2015). Retrieved 1 June 2016.
  23. 23.0 23.1 Manisha, Sushmita are paisa vasool!. Rediff.com(9 January 2004). Retrieved 20 July 2015.
  24. We heard it through the grapevine.... Tehelka. Retrieved 21 May 2016.
  25. 'Taj Mahal' set for release in UK, India. The Economic Times(23 October 2005). Retrieved 25 July 2015.
  26. 26.0 26.1 Khela, an intimate tale but lost in translation, Masand, Rajeev. Rajeev Masand.com. Retrieved 20 May 2016.
  27. The 'Elektra' complex. The Hindu(27 May 2010). Retrieved 31 May 2016.
  28. 'I Am Megha' is about the plight of Kashmiri Pandits: Juhi. The Indian Express(20 December 2009). Retrieved 1 June 2016.
  29. Manisha returns. The Hindu(17 October 2012). Retrieved 1 June 2016.
  30. Cancer-free Manisha Koirala follows strict fitness regime. The New Indian Express(27 July 2013). Retrieved 24 July 2015.
  31. I made many wrong choices earlier: Manisha Koirala. The Times of India(22 February 2014). Retrieved 24 July 2015.
  32. Premiere of Manisha Koirala's comeback film 'Chehere' with Jackie Shroff, Hrishita Bhatt. Firstpost(21 August 2015). Retrieved 21 June 2017.
  33. Production of Films by Decades. Nepal Film Producers Association. Retrieved 3 June 2016.
  34. Saudagar. The Hindu(5 July 2002). Retrieved 19 July 2015.
  35. First Love Letter. Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 19 July 2015.
  36. Yalgaar. Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 19 July 2015.
  37. Insaaniyat Ke Devta. Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 19 July 2015.
  38. Anmol. Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 19 July 2015.
  39. Dhanwan. Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 19 July 2015.
  40. Yun Hi Kabhi. Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 19 July 2015.
  41. Milan. Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 20 July 2015.
  42. 1942 – A Love Story. Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 19 July 2015.
  43. 43.0 43.1 Hero of the masses. Deccan Herald(21 April 2012). Retrieved 20 July 2015.
  44. Sangdil Sanam. Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 19 July 2015.
  45. Anokha Andaz. Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 20 July 2015.
  46. Guddu. Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 20 July 2015.
  47. Ram Shastra. Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 20 July 2015.
  48. Akele Hum Akele Tum. Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 20 July 2015.
  49. Aamir Khan's leading ladies on the superstar. Daily News and Analysis(14 March 2015). Retrieved 20 July 2015.
  50. Dushmani. Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 20 July 2015.
  51. Agnisakshi. Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 24 July 2015.
  52. Yeh Majhdaar. Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 20 July 2015.
  53. Pop Patriotism. India Today(15 August 1996). Retrieved 20 July 2015.
  54. Hindustani. Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 20 July 2015.
  55. Manisha Koirala approached for Kamal Haasan's next. The Indian Express. Retrieved 20 July 2015.
  56. 'Daddy' to 'Piku': 10 Bollywood films on father-daughter bond. Mid-Day. Retrieved 20 July 2015.
  57. Sanam. Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 20 July 2015.
  58. Gupt. Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 27 July 2015.
  59. Dil Ke Jharokhe Mein. Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 20 July 2015.
  60. Loha Cast List. Bollywood Hungama(January 1997).
  61. Yugpurush. Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 20 July 2015.
  62. Pichhu Pade Hai [Full Song Salaakhen]. T-Series (YouTube)(30 May 2011). Retrieved 16 September 2019.
  63. Salaakhen (1998). British Board of Film Classification. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
  64. Achanak. Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 20 July 2015.
  65. Dil Se... British Film Institute. Retrieved 20 July 2015.
  66. A royal pain. Rediff.com(5 September 1998). Retrieved 20 July 2015.
  67. Maharaja. Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 20 July 2015.
  68. Kachche Dhaage. Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 20 July 2015.
  69. Brothers in arms. Rediff.com(19 February 1999). Retrieved 20 July 2015.
  70. Lal Baadshah. Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 20 July 2015.
  71. Laawaris. Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 20 July 2015.
  72. Jaihind. Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 20 July 2015.
  73. A. R. Rahman: The Musical Storm{{#if:Mathai|, Mathai}. Penguin Books Limited(18 June 2009). ISBN 978-81-8475-823-8
  74. Muthalvan (1999). British Film Institute. Retrieved 20 May 2016.
  75. Kartoos. Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 20 July 2015.
  76. Mann. Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 20 July 2015.
  77. Hindustan Ki Kasam. Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 20 July 2015.
  78. Dangerous liaisons. Rediff.com(3 March 2000). Retrieved 20 July 2015.
  79. Baaghi. Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 20 July 2015.
  80. Nothing to shout about. Rediff.com(8 April 2000). Retrieved 20 July 2015.
  81. Raja Ko Rani Se Pyar Ho Gaya. Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 20 July 2015.
  82. Champion. Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 20 July 2015.
  83. Done to death... and going weak!. Rediff.com(23 December 2000). Retrieved 20 July 2015.
  84. Grahan finally makes it to the marquee. Rediff.com(16 February 2001). Retrieved 20 July 2015.
  85. Chuppa Rustam. Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 20 July 2015.
  86. Lajja. Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 20 July 2015.
  87. Aalavandhaan, Rangarajan, Malathi. The Hindu(16 November 2001). Retrieved 31 January 2017.
  88. Music with a sixth sense. The Hindu(19 August 2001). Retrieved 31 January 2017.
  89. Kamal falls... hard!, Swaminathan, R. Rediff.com(13 November 2001). Retrieved 31 January 2017.
  90. Moksha: Salvation. Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 20 July 2015.
  91. Jaani Dushman. Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 20 July 2015.
  92. Ek Chotisi Love Story. Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 20 July 2015.
  93. Baba. Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 20 July 2015.
  94. Escape From Taliban. Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 20 July 2015.
  95. Calcutta Mail. Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 20 July 2015.
  96. Market: Routine stuff well shot. Sify. Retrieved 20 July 2015.
  97. A nightmare called Market!. Rediff.com(12 September 2003). Retrieved 20 July 2015.
  98. Tum?. Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 20 July 2015.
  99. Chaahat-Ek Nasha. Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 20 July 2015.
  100. Kamal fails to deliver in Mumbai Xpress. Rediff.com(15 April 2005). Retrieved 20 July 2015.
  101. Manisha Koirala as Jahan Ara. The Times of India(14 February 2002). Retrieved 20 July 2015.
  102. Taj Mahal – An Eternal Love Story. Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 20 July 2015.
  103. Anjaane – The Unknown. Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 20 July 2015.
  104. Darwaz Bandh Rako. Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 20 July 2015.
  105. Anwar. Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 20 July 2015.
  106. Tulsi. Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 20 July 2015.
  107. Jayaprada to star in Matrudevobhava remake. The Times of India(11 September 2012). Retrieved 20 July 2015.
  108. Manisha Koirala turns item girl in Nagaram. Sify. Retrieved 20 July 2015.
  109. Avoid Nagaram at all cost, Vardhan, G. P. Aditya. Rediff.com(7 March 2008). Retrieved 5 June 2016.
  110. Sirf – Life Looks Greener on the Other Side. Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 20 July 2015.
  111. Mehbooba. Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 20 July 2015.
  112. Deepti Naval: Happy to have worked with Rituparno Ghosh in 'Memories in March', wanted him to bring out the best in me. CNN-IBN(9 August 2014). Retrieved 20 July 2015.
  113. Ek Second... Jo Zindagi Badal De?. Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 21 May 2016.
  114. Nepal awaits second coming – Manisha Koirala's. The Times of India(8 December 2010). Retrieved 20 July 2015.
  115. Women are perfect human beings. Rediff.com(27 December 2010). Retrieved 20 July 2015.
  116. Review: Mappillai is a bad copy of the original. Rediff.com(8 April 2011). Retrieved 20 July 2015.
  117. I Am: Movie Review. The Economic Times(29 April 2011). Retrieved 20 July 2015.
  118. Review: Bhoot Returns isn't as good as Bhoot. Rediff.com(12 October 2012). Retrieved 20 July 2015.
  119. Movie Review: Chehere – Caught in a time-warp that's becoming but not exciting!. The Free Press Journal(28 August 2015). Retrieved 9 November 2015.
  120. Film based on life of Sunanda Pushkar?. The Hindu(28 April 2015). Retrieved 24 July 2015.
  121. Game movie review: A game around 'the body'. Deccan Chronicle(27 February 2016). Retrieved 17 May 2016.
  122. Oru Melliya Kodu Movie Review. The Times of India(16 July 2016). Retrieved 1 January 2020.
  123. Quest for a homeland. The Hindu(21 April 2016). Retrieved 17 May 2016.
  124. Dear Maya movie review: Manisha Koirala shines like a diamond in a coal mine. Hindustan Times(2 June 2017). Retrieved 2 June 2017.
  125. Lust Stories: Why we should love *this* one. Rediff(27 June 2018). Retrieved 27 June 2019.
  126. Manisha Koirala: Looked like alien after chemotherapy. The Times of India(20 April 2017). Retrieved 20 April 2017.
  127. Prasthanam teaser: Sanjay Dutt, Manisha Koirala promise loads of action and melodrama. The Indian Express(29 July 2019). Retrieved 9 August 2019.
  128. Maska trailer: Netflix butters you up with double serving of Manisha Koirala, Javed Jaffery. Hindustan Times(12 March 2020). Retrieved 18 March 2020.
  129. Manisha Koirala, Lisa Ray to star in Rahman's '99 Songs'. The New Indian Express. Retrieved 7 February 2018.
  130. 'India Sweets and Spices' Review: Gossip, Secrets and Biting Laughs. The New York Times(18 November 2021). Retrieved 28 November 2021.
  131. Ankur Rathee says he's confident about Shehzada's success: 'I don't have fears of boycott'. Hindustan Times(24 August 2022).
  132. Larger than life : [India's Bollywood film culture]{{#if:|, {{{last}}}}. WorldCat
  133. Femina Miss India embraces its Bollywood connections... at the expense of the contestants. Firstpost(6 April 2015). Retrieved 7 December 2015.
  134. Sanjay Leela Bhansali's 'Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar' Drops First Footage. Variety(1 February 2024). Retrieved 31 January 2024.

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