I’m as flawed, human as anybody: Manisha Koirala

Celebrated actress Manisha Koirala, who found success both in Tamil (Bombay, Indian) and Hindi films (1942: A Love Story, Khamoshi) recently unveiled her memoir, Healed. The book chronicles her battle against ovarian cancer, from which she has been free for six years now. Koirala is involved in promoting causes such as women’s rights, prevention of violence against women, prevention of human trafficking, and spreading cancer awareness. She shares aspects of her roller-coaster journey with us.

My book has been keeping me quite busy over the past few weeks. Last year, most of my time was spent writing it. This year, it was released in Mumbai and New Delhi is next. I have been going around lit fests, to Dhaka, Nepal, Chennai and Jaipur. I have been connecting with readers and feeling blessed the book got into the bestsellers list within two weeks. On the film and TV front, there are some good scripts that I have okayed but not signed on.

It is really important for me to tell my truth - whether painful or joyous - it is a slice of life. Whether it’s celebrities or people with a public persona, the impression is that their lives must be as perfect as a picture postcard, which is anything but. Life is messy and flawed. The book takes you through a painful journey -- the illness, heartbreaks, disappointments and confessions of mistakes. But it was important for me to be honest to my reader and for me to say that I am as flawed and human as everybody else. Just because I am a celebrity doesn’t mean I can project this image of perfection.

The book encompasses the past six years of my life. I was quite apprehensive to begin with, to open myself up to the world. I didn’t know how people would respond to my attempts. But, I took a leap of faith. To my surprise, I realised that in today’s time, people appreciate and respect honesty, and are not too keen on being judgemental. This was a huge relief and it gave me more courage to tell more stories, write more books and to share my views of life. It gave me faith that people are good-hearted.

Comprehending death and one’s own mortality is a huge realisation that can transform you. Life tends to throw both good and bad situations at you. How you choose to respond, determines everything from that point on. If you take on a negative approach, that’s pretty much how your life pans out. But if you learn your lessons, and learn to become a better and stronger human being from the blows that you have been dealt, then why not? Cancer taught me to be a survivor and to have more strength and faith.

I have been blessed to be working with the crème-de-la-creme of South Indian cinema - whether it was Kamal Haasan ji, Mani Ratnam sir, Shankar sir or Rajinikanth sir. South India has given me my best treasures as far as films are concerned. I feel connected at a deep level to Chennai. During a recent visit to the city, I met Arvind Swamy and his wife, and Kamal ji. I had called up Suhasini ji but couldn’t catch up with her and Mani sir. With regard to Indian 2, I so wish I was a part of it, but nobody has offered me a role. I would love to be part of the Tamil film industry the way it was in the past. I am definitely looking forward to working here again.

Today, people are ready to accept subjects as seen in Lust Stories and Ek Ladki ko Dekha to Aisa Laga. Their minds, hearts and horizons have evolved and the circle has just gotten bigger. It’s a sign of progressiveness, and the younger generation is headstrong and determined to bring forth mature, quality content. There used to be a golden age of cinema. I now think it’s coming back.

I think it’s a great initiative to make work environments safe for women. I have a concern and it’s whether it’s justified to be tried by social media. Anybody can wake up one day and say anything... where is the full stop? Are we going to punish innocents? I believe in justice for both men and women. But I feel scared if it’s prolonged in this manner, innocents might get entrapped. Predators must be ridiculed and punished for their actions. But what’s the parameter and how do we arrive on a consensus? Walking in blindly is definitely not the way to go.