Manisha Koirala reveals initially hating comparisons to Madhuri Dixit; recalls how the later once helped her bag a major role

Manisha Koirala shared the screen with Madhuri Dixit in the film Lajja. However, when she first entered the film industry, she wasn’t particularly pleased with being compared to her co-star. After debuting in Subhash Ghai’s 1991 film Saudagar, she often faced comments labelling her as a Madhuri Dixit lookalike.

Manisha Koirala reveals initially hating comparisons to Madhuri Dixit

In an interview with ANI, Manisha Koirala reflected on how she felt about these comparisons to Madhuri Dixit in her early career. She expressed, “Honestly, those days, I wasn’t flattered. But today, I am. Because she is so beautiful. She is so graceful. And not only that, she is a wonderful woman. As a person, I just love her. And it was quite an honour.” At the beginning of her career, Manisha considered herself a rebel, deliberately choosing to forge her path despite suggestions from others.

Manisha Koirala and Madhuri Dixit

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As time passed and when Manisha Koirala starred alongside Madhuri Dixit in Rajkumar Santoshi’s 2001 crime drama Lajja, her perspective changed. “By then, I had also matured. My eyes had opened and I was seeing, my goodness, such a humble person. Super talented and so beautiful,” the actress noted. She revealed that she worked diligently to keep up with Madhuri in their memorable song, Badi Mushkil.

Interestingly, Manisha discovered that Madhuri Dixit had played a significant role in her getting her big break in Bollywood. “She is marvellous. I love her. Also, the fact that later on, I got to know that she had recommended my name. She had seen me in Rakesh Shrestha’s photoshoot. And she had actually told Subhash (Ghai) Ji that I’ve seen one girl, ‘You should see her for Saudagar’. That’s how Subhash Ji called for my photograph from Rakesh Shrestha,” Manisha shared.

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Manisha Koirala on Saudagar

Reflecting on her debut, Manisha recalled, “Saudagar was a good experience. I was too young, too naive, right out of my 12th standard. And, I was 18 or 19 with no exposure to life, no exposure to anything. I was very fearful and very scared. I wanted to keep everybody at a distance.” Interestingly, just three years after her first film, Manisha Koirala replaced Madhuri Dixit in Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s 1994 romantic drama 1942: A Love Story.

Manisha Koirala and Madhuri Dixit’s recent projects

Recently, Manisha has been seen as Mallika Jaan in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s debut web series Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar. Madhuri’Dixit’s latest project is Anees Bazmee’s hit horror-comedy Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3.

Also Read: Manisha Koirala recalls a photographer’s reaction when she refused to wear a bikini; says, ‘I told him if this is the way I have to get into the movies…”