Entertainment Desk

Bollywood actress Manisha Koirala who last gave a hit almost a decade ago with “Bhoot Returns” is hoping for a solid comeback with Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s “Heeramandi”. The actress will be playing the character of Mallikajaan in this period drama which is set to stream from 1 May on Netflix.

Manisha while promoting the same looked back at her career and shared that one decision she regrets. Talking about having silly insecurities, Manisha Koirala admitted that she rejected Yash Chopra’s “Dil Toh Pagal Hai” because she was pitted against Madhuri Dixit.

Unknown to many, the character of Nisha who was eventually played by Karisma Kapoor was initially offered to several other actresses including Urmila Matondkar, Kajol, Raveena Tandon, Juhi Chawla, and Manisha Koirala. Unfortunately, Manisha is one of those who regretted the decision to back out.

Speaking with India Today, Manisha Koirala revealed, "One of the regrets that I have in my career is that I didn't do Yash Chopra's film. I was pitted against Madhuri ji [Dixit], and I got scared. I backed out of that project."

Manisha confronted that every actor of her time wanted to work with the ace filmmaker at least once because of how he beautifully portrayed women on-screen. She added, “I went to Yash Ji's office and told him, 'Sir, it is my dream to be your heroine, solo. You are pitting me against Madhuri ji'. Somehow [because of] better judgment of mine, I think I missed out."

When filmmaker Raj Santoshi offered Madhuri Dixit-led “Lajja” to Manisha in 2000, the actress immediately signed it because she didn’t want to repeat the same mistake. She shared, “I think when you have a strong maker, and when you are confident in your own skin, the security comes. I realised I didn’t want to make that mistake again because of my silly insecurities. I am so glad I did it. I am so proud of Lajja."

In Heeramandi, Manisha will star alongside actresses Aditi Rao Hydari, Sanjeeda Shaikh, Richa Chadha, Sonakshi Sinha, and Sharmin Segal.

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