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Priyanka Bhadani
Priyanka Bhadani

CINEMA

I want to continue acting till the time I live: Manisha Koirala

Manisha-Koirala

A lot has been written about Manisha Koirala since the news of her comeback to films broke. She has been away for almost six years, but is currently on a promotional spree for her June 2 release, Dear Maya. She confesses the entire drill is 'tiring', but emphasises that she is completely 'committed' to the film and will follow the norm to promote it, without any compromises.

We met the actor, who had a long battle with cancer and some serious issues in her personal life, on a sultry Saturday afternoon in her Versova apartment. She has had a long night at a shoot and was a little under the weather, too. But she wore a smile throughout the conversation, sometimes even giggling like a young girl, especially while talking about her misadventures of watching a few “weird” shows on Netflix. But she is just trying to keep up with the changing times. She has turned into a Netflix junkie and has watched quite a few documentaries, back-to-back episodes of House Of Cards and Crown which she really loved. She thinks the different kind of cinema that is being made these days is great, taking the industry to newer heights. Excerpts from the conversation:

When you came back after your illness you said you will do a film only when it excites you a lot. What's special about Dear Maya?

It was the script that really excited me. And when I met the director Sunaina (Bhatnagar), I realised that she is going to make a good film. She had written everything so well. She had put in all the details—the character's thought process. Maya is a woman who has locked herself for 20 years. She feels unloved. She feels she is not deserving of love. She feels the world outside is very threatening, and so she has a knife around her all the time. She has dogs to protect her. She is always guarded. Yet, in her own space, you see a little vulnerability in her. It's a pretty complex character. But because Sunaina had made it so amazing, I really wanted to do a good job. I hope it comes out well. I am so anxious before its release.

You, too, have been through a lot—illness and personal issues. Do you feel vulnerable?

Of course, I do. We all go through tough phases, but life takes care of us, somehow. I have faith in goodness of people. It (her fight with cancer) was a difficult phase. It was not easy. I had no clue how long I would live and if I would live at all. It was life-changing experience, a very tough phase.

You have been talking at motivational events. What was the trigger?

First of all, it's a new dimension, so that's good for me personally. But the main reason I go about doing it is to share my experience, the lessons I have learnt in life, so that it could benefit somebody. Because I realise that a part of this life is about sharing as well. When I was down and out, a lot of people came forward to help me without expecting anything. When I saw that kind of compassion, love and care, and kindness without any expectations, it kind of really made an impact on me. As and when I find a good platform, I go and talk and I hope that my talk sets people in the right direction.

Coming back to films, a lot has changed in the recent past. Are you finding it difficult to adapt to the changes?

Well, I have to work extra hard to understand what's going on and then to adapt myself to it. And because I love my job enough, I am willing to put in that kind of hard work. A lot has changed. But I think it has changed for better. There is more professionalism now. There is more quality, in the sense the kind of subjects we are picking up now is for the international market. I feel the filmmakers are experimenting and they have the scope to experiment with different kinds of narratives. One doesn't have to stick to hero-heroine and dance-song or family drama. Now, various kinds of scripts and stories are being appreciated. Those films are liked and are successful commercially, too. It has opened doors for filmmakers to try different kind of cinema, which is great. Same goes with the performance. I think today's actors are on par with [actors of] any international scale. We have raised the bar in every dimension of cinema.

You have always been trying to do films that were different from each other. Films that didn't fit into the conventional themes, be it Dil Se or Khamoshi...

I think now we have become very accepting of those themes. Back then also we were, but now even more.

Do you remember being confused about accepting a role for fear of it being unconventional?

When I did Bombay, the initial reaction was that it was unconventional. But then people loved the film. Bombay, Dil Se, or be it Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Khamoshi, the script of which was rejected by many, I did it. All the good directors were a little unconventional. (Pauses) For Bombay, I had to play a mother's role. I was very apprehensive of that, but Ashok Mehta (cinematographer) told me that he (Mani Ratnam) is a good director and I should do it and I did that. For 1942: A Love Story, Vinod (director Vidhu Vinod Chopra) wanted me to do a screen test and I was thinking, 'I am Manisha Koirala, why should I need to do a screen test?', but I did that, too. I was already an established name and had big banners with me. [It's like] today, asking Deepika (Padukone) to do a screen test when she is already established. Well, I did that because my mom insisted and I am so glad I did. It's a landmark film in my career. I would always love to venture out into something different.

dear-maya A still from Dear Maya

There were a few bold choices too, like Ek Choti Si Love Story?

I don't want to talk about that movie. That's not something I am very proud of.

You will be playing Nargis Dutt in the Dutt biopic. How did the film happen?

Yes. Mukesh Chabbra (casting director) had called me and he said, 'Raju sir (Rajkumar Hirani) wants you in his project'. Initially, I was thinking what will I do in the film. It's a small, special appearance. But look at the figure. I felt I will be playing Nargis Duttji, a legendary name, and in a Rajkumar Hirani film, so it's like sone pe suhaga (laughs).

How are you preparing for the role?

The look test has happened. I will soon be meeting him and will be doing the readings to get into the skin of the character. I am looking forward to that.

You are okay with playing an ageing character?

Yeah. Yeah. I have passed through that phase [where I would have issues].

Now that you are back, what are the other things you want to do?

I want to continue working in good projects. One or two good films a year are more than enough. I want to have a balanced life. I want to travel the world. At some point, I would like to write and direct. I want to continue acting for as long as I live. Maybe lesser work, but quality work.

You are also one of the first few female actors to have gone for a filmmaking course. Do you want to pursue it now?

I have something in mind. I wouldn't talk about it, it's too early. But towards the end of the year, I would go ahead with it.

Do you have a script that you want to direct?

We are actually going to be working on it. I have spoken to somebody, but it's early to talk about this project.

Have you been brushing up your directorial skills?

I haven't had time for that. But more or less, I will be working on that—brushing up, watching movies to understand what clicks. But that would be a little later, not now.

What films have you been watching?

I saw some weird films on Netflix, nothing to mention about (chuckles). But then I also watched Bombay Talkies and I really liked it, especially Dibakar's film. Then I saw Shaitaan, which is a new-age film. The director (Bejoy Nambiar) had approached me so I wanted to see what he has done. He has done two films. I thought Wazir will be typical because it has established actors like Amitji and Farhan, so I decided to watch Shaitan because it has a new, younger cast. It's fairly good.

A lot of actors with good directorial sensibilities have been criticised for being interfering...

Oh... I don't interfere. See, when I am signed as an actor I am signed to do my job as an actor. It's not my job to poke my nose into the director's job. But if the director asks me something, 'how you want to do the scene or what do you think', then I am more than happy to sit through and think that we may do this or that or something else. But there are certain films, like Raju's film I wouldn't dare look into the direction part. Because if I can do a good job of what he gives me, that would be enough. I just did a Dibakar Bannerjee film (Bombay Talkies 2). He would tell me to put what I felt like, so there I explored. Every director works differently. Primarily, an actor's job is to act and portray the character the way the director and the writer have envisaged it. If one can add and give something more to it, why not? But [it's] never wise to intrude in other people's job.

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