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Manisha Koirala Declined Yash Chopra Film; Rejected Film With Madhuri Dixit Because of ‘insecurity’
Manisha Koirala is all set to make her comeback with Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s period drama series Heeramandi. Manisha is in the lead role of the series set in the 1940s pre-Independence India.
Recently she spoke about her biggest regret is when she declined a Yash Chopra film. Manisha confessed that she turned down the legendary filmmaker as the film also featured Madhuri Dixit. Manisha said, “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 however years later worked with Madhuri Dixit in Raj Kumat Santoshi’s Lajja. She said, “Madhuri ji is such a good person and actress. There was no need for me to be insecure. I think when you have a strong actor in front of you, you only perform better. They encourage you to perform better. That comes from age and experience. I loved working with Madhuri ji in that (movie). I loved working with Rekha ji as well.”
Dil to Pagal Hai of Yash Chopra was offered to many Bollywood actors of the 90s but Karishma Kapoor ended up to portray the character of Nisha. The musical face-off with Madhuri Dixit was titled The Dance of Envy and it became popular among fans. Urmila Matondkar, Kajol, Raveena Tandon and Juhi Chawla was offered for the film but they all backed out of the project.
In the series Heeramandi, Manisha plays the role of a courtesan Mallikajaan which is based in the red-light district of Heera Mandi in Lahore. The series depicts the 1940s that showcases pre-partition India. The series also narrates the relationship of courtesans with Nawabs and the British officers. Heeramandi also stars Sonakshi Sinha, Aditi Rao Hudari, Richa Chadha, Danjeefa Sheikh and Sharmin Segal.
