Manisha Koirala, born on 16 August 1970 in Biratnagar, Nepal, hails from the politically prominent Koirala family. She made her acting debut in the Nepali film Pheri Bhetaula (1989) and her Bollywood debut with Saudagar (1991). Her breakthrough came with Mani Ratnam’s Bombay (1995), which earned her critical acclaim and established her as one of the finest actresses of her generation. She went on to star in films like Dil Se, Khamoshi: The Musical, and Gupt, becoming one of the most popular and highest-paid actresses of the 1990s.
Beyond cinema, Manisha is also a social activist and author. In 2012, she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and underwent treatment in the U.S. Her memoir Healed details her journey of survival and resilience. Today, she continues to act in films and OTT projects, including Lust Stories 2 (2023), and remains an influential figure in both Indian and Nepali cultural spheres.