Bollywood Celebrity Manisha Koirala

Manisha Koirala

Actress Manisha Koirala was overjoyed when she was offered a role by actor-turned-director Amol Palekar in his new film.

But later she had to refuse the role as it turned out to be just a cameo.

"I'd have loved to work with Amolji.

It was an interesting character, that of a Buddhist monk.

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Beautiful Manisha Koirala

I'd have given my right arm to play the role, if only I had at least two scenes... achcha chalo, only one meaty scene.

I've never believed in measuring my roles in terms of playing time. Lekin kuch to hona chahiye... (but something should be there)," she said.

Manisha had to reluctantly say no.

"It broke my heart. Because I'm into Buddhism. And I want to work with Amolji."

She expected Palekar to offer her yet another opportunity to relive her golden days of Khamoshi, Bombay and Dil Se.

Now the role has gone to Antara Mali who was last seen in Ram Gopal Varma's Main Madhuri Dixit Banna Chahti Hoon and Naach.

Cute Manisha Koirala

Bolly Manisha

Coping with married life in Kathmandu has been the most challenging role of Manisha Koirala's career. There were rumours that her marriage to Samrat Dahal was in trouble. But close friends claim she is doing her best to work things out with her husband. The problem, say friends, is the joint family and Manisha is trying hard to blend into Samrat's family.

"While it's been easy for Manisha to adjust being a wife, blending into a her husband's family has been far more difficult. But she's trying. Manisha desperately wants to make the marriage work," said a source close to her.

Meanwhile, to make the hours seem less stretched-out in Kathmandu, Manisha has taken to painting.

"It all started as just another form of self-expression. When I liked the feel of the brush against the canvas, I decided to get more professional about it," said Manisha, who tied the knot with Nepali businessman Samrat in a traditional Nepali ceremony in June.

Photo Shoot Of Manisha Koirala

Post-marriage she moved to Kathmandu and now spends a major part of the day at the easel.

In fact, Manisha, 40, has got herself a tutor.

"Can you believe it? My painting guru is from Maharashtra! It's more than a hobby now. It's a growing passion. I don't know where it will take me. But then I've always followed my heart," said the actress who will soon stage her first painting exhibition.

Just back from Goa where she represented her first Malayalam film 'Electra' at the International Film Festival of India, Manisha is hungering to get back to the limelight.

Manisha Koirala Wallpaper

Stylish Manisha Koirala Picture

"I guess once an actor always an actor. I got an overwhelming response to 'Electra' in Goa. It's a very different role. I had to play a mother and a woman who has an extra-marital affair. I was advised not to do it. But now I am so happy with the way the film has shaped up," said the actress, who is also persuading the director Shyamaprasad to remake the film in Hindi.

Manisha has recently gifted herself a brand new car.

"I'm so happy with the way my film has been received in Goa I've gifted myself a yellow Volkswagen Beetle car."