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Manisha Koirala Height, Age, Boyfriend, Husband, Family, Biography

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Hometown: Kathmandu, Nepal
Marital Status: Divorced
Age: 54 Years

Manisha Koirala

Bio/Wiki
Nickname(s)Manu, Manya
Profession(s)Actress, Social Activist
Physical Stats & More
Height (approx.)5' 5" (165 cm)
Eye ColourBrown
Hair ColourBrown
Career
DebutFilm (Nepali): Pheri Bhetaula (1989)
Pheri Bhetaula
Film (Hindi): Saudagar (1991) as Radha Singh Thakur
Saudagar (1991)
Film (Telugu): Criminal (1994) as Swetha
Criminal
Film (Tamil): Bombay (1995) as Shaila Banu
Bombay (1995)
Film (Bengali): Khela (2008) as Sheela
Khela (2008)
Film (Malayalam): Elektra (2010) as Diana
Elektra
Film (Kannada): Game (2016) as Maya
Game
Film (English): India Sweets and Spices (2021) as Sheila
India Sweets and Spices
Awards, HonoursAward
1994: Priyadarshini Academy-Smita Patil Memorial Award
1995: Filmfare Award for Best Actress (Critics) for Bombay
Manisha Koirala receiving Filmfare Award for Bombay
1996: Filmfare Award South for Best Actress-Tamil for Bombay
1996: Cinema Express Award for Best Actress (Special Award) for Bombay
1997: Filmfare Award for Best Actress (Critics) for Khamoshi: The Musical
1997: Filmfare Award for Best Actress for Khamoshi: The Musical
2003: Filmfare Award for Best Actress (Critics) for Company
2004: BFJA Award for Best Actress for Escape From Taliban
2016: Spirit of Inspiration Award
2017: Navbharat Times Award for contribution to Indian Cinema
Manisha Koirala receiving Navbharat Times Award
2017: Dadasaheb Phalke Academy Award for Jury Mention - Brave and Beautiful Performance for Dear Maya
2018: Streaming Award for Breakthrough Performance for Lust Stories
2019: Society Iconic Indian Award for Do Paise Ki Dhoop Char Ane Ki Baarish

Honour
1999: United Nations Population Fund for Goodwill Ambassador for India
2001: Order of Gorkha Dakshina Bahu Honoured by the Government of Nepal for achievement in the Indian Film Industry
2003: 1st Non-Resident Nepali Conference, Kathmandu-Letter of Felicitation presented by King of Nepal
2006: World Hindu Federation-Letter of Appreciation
2014: India Today Woman Summit-Woman of the Year Award
2015: London Indian Film Festival-Spirit of Inspiration Award
Manisha Koirala with her Spirit of Inspiration Award
2015: Global Officials of Dignity Award-Nepal's Humanitarian Ambassador
2015: United Nations Population Fund-Goodwill Ambassador for Nepal
2018: Muscat International Film Festival, Oman-Felicitation by Oman Film Society
2019: Mahindra Udaya Festival-Excellence in Social Cause
2022: Spandan Global Indo-Nepal Art Festival, Kathmandu-Lifetime Achievement Award
2022: Garhwal Post Silver Jubilee Awards-Lifetime Achievement Award presented by the Governor of Maharashtra
2023: Honoured by British Parliament for contribution to Bollywood and South Indian movies
Personal Life
Date of Birth16 August 1970 (Sunday)
Age (as of 2024) 54 Years
BirthplaceBiratnagar, Nepal
Zodiac signLeo
AutographManisha Koirala's autograph
NationalityNepalese
HometownKathmandu, Nepal
School(s)• Vasant Kanya Maha Vidyalaya, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh (upto class 10)
• Army Public School, Dhaula Kuan, New Delhi
College/UniversityNew York University, New York
Educational QualificationDiploma in Film Making
Religion Hinduism
EthnicityBengali
Food HabitNon-vegetarian
Political InclinationRashtriya Prajatantra Party
Rashtriya Prajatantra Party
HobbiesTravelling, Reading Books, Gardening, Playing Golf, Trekking, Cycling
Manisha Koirala during her vacation
ControversiesAccused of Hiring Gangster for Contract Killing
In 2012, the Indian gangster Abu Salem accused Manisha of her involvement in the murders of the Indian producer Mukesh Duggal and her secretary Ajit Deewani. Abu said that she had given money to the Indian gangster Chhota Rajan to kill Mukesh and Ajit. However, later, the local police said that Abu was lying. [1]India Today

Criticised for Supporting Modified Nepal Map
In 2020, she was criticised by the Indian netizens for supporting modified Nepal map in which a few areas of India was included in Nepal's map amid India-Nepal border tensions. [2]The Print
Social MediaInstagram
Facebook
Twitter
Relationships & More
Marital StatusDivorced
Affairs/BoyfriendsVivek Mushran (actor)
Vivek Mushran
Crispin Conroy (Australian Ambassador for Nepal)
Crispin Conroy
Rajeev Mulchandani (model)
Rajeev Mulchandani
Sandeep Chowta (music director)
Sandeep Chowta
Nana Patekar (actor)
Nana Patekar
DJ Whosane (DJ)
DJ Whosane
Cecil Anthony (Nigerian businessman)
Manisha Koirala and Cecil
Aryan Vaid (Indian model and actor)
Aryan Vaid
Prashant Chaudhari (restaurateur)
Prashant Chaudhary
Tariq Premji (businessman)
Tariq Premji
Akshay (Bollywood actor)
Manisha and her ex-boyfriend Akshay
Christopher Dorris (A sports counselor, author, entrepreneur)
Manisha with her boyfriend Christopher
Samrat Dahal (Nepali businessman)
Manisha-Koirala partying with Samrat-Dahal
Marriage Date19 June 2010
Manisha Koirala's wedding picture
Family
Husband/SpouseSamrat Dahal (divorced in 2012)
Manisha Koirala with Samrat Dahal
ParentsFather- Prakash Koirala (Nepalese politician)
Mother- Sushma Koirala (worked with the news channel iTV)
Manisha Koirala with her parents
SiblingsBrother- Siddharth Koirala (actor)
Manisha Koirala with her brother
Sister- None
Other Relative(s)Grandfather- Bishweshwar Prasad Koirala (former Prime Minister of Nepal from the late 1950s to the early 1960s)
Great Uncles- Matrika Prasad Koirala and Girija Prasad Koirala (former prime minsisters of Nepal)
Family TreeKoirala family tree
Favourites
Actress(es)Ingrid Bergman, Meryl Streep, Whoopi Goldberg
Ghazal ArtistsBegum Akhtar, Mehdi Hassan
Film(s)Kaagaz Ke Phool (1959), One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975), An Officer and a Gentleman (1982), Masoom (1983)
Film DirectorMani Ratnam
Book(s)Fyodr Dostoevsky's 'The Idiot', John Irwing's 'The world according to Garp' and Erica Jong's 'Fear of fifty'
ColourWhite
Beverage(s)Fresh Lime Soda, Strawberry Champagne
Comic(s)Tintin, Archie
Perfume(s)Private Collection, Skate
SportBasketball
Travelling Destination(s)Kashmir, London
Style Quotient
Car Collection• Škoda Slavia
• Mercedes Benz E250
Manisha Koirala with her Mercedes
• Royal Limo
Money Factor
Salary/Fees (approx.)Rs 1 crore for the Hindi web series Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar
Net Worth (approx.)Rs 100 crore (as of 2024)

Manisha Koirala

Some Lesser Known Facts About Manisha Koirala

  • Manisha Koirala grew up in Nepal and India.

    Manisha Koirala's childhood picture

    Manisha Koirala’s childhood picture

  • While she was studying in school, she participated in various extra-curricular activities.

    Manisha Koirala in her school's function (second from left)

    Manisha Koirala in her school’s function (second from left)

  • In childhood, she started her training in various dance forms like Bharatanatyam and Kathak.
  • During her school days, after some political movement in Nepal, her family shifted from Nepal to Banaras, India.

    Manisha Koirala during her school days

    Manisha Koirala during her school days

  • While growing up, she wanted to become a doctor. However, later, she developed an interest in acting.
  • Initially, her father wanted her to join politics. Her grandmother supported her to pursue her dream of becoming an actor.
  • In 1989, the Indian film journalist Meena Ayyar met Manisha. Meena introduced her to the Indian filmmakers Subhash Ghai, Shekhar Kapur, and Boney Kapoor. All three decided to sign her in their films.
  • In the 1990s, she acted in various popular Hindi films like ‘1942: A Love Story’ (1994), ‘Criminal’ (1995), ‘Akele Hum Akele Tum’ (1995), ‘Khamoshi: The Musical’ (1996), ‘Gupt: The Hidden Truth’ (1997), and ‘Dil Se..’ (1998).

    Dil Se..

    Dil Se..

  • After the release of the Hindi film ‘Saudagar’ in 1991, rumours started that the Indian film director Subhash Ghai had taken sexual favours from her. Later, it was said that Manisha’s mother had spread the news to keep Manisha in the limelight. [3]The Times of India
  • Manisha was appointed as UNFPA Goodwill Ambassador for India in 1999.
  •  In the 2000s, she appeared in many Hindi films such as ‘Lajja’ (2001), ‘Company’ (2002), ‘Lust Stories’ (2018), and ‘Shehzada’ (2023).

    Lajja

    Lajja

  • Manisha has acted in films of a few other languages. Some of such films are ‘Indian’ (1996; Tamil), ‘Mudhalvan’ (1999; Tamil), and ‘Oru Melliya Kodu’ (2016; Tamil).

    Oru Melliya Kodu

    Oru Melliya Kodu

  • In 2000, she co-hosted the Hindi reality TV show ‘Sawaal Dus Crore Ka.’

    Manisha Koirala in Sawaal Dus Crore Ka

    Manisha Koirala in Sawaal Dus Crore Ka

  • She has lent her voice to the Tamil song “Hey! Who Are You” from the film ‘Aalavandhan’ (2001).
  • She appeared in the 2003 Hindi documentary ‘Larger Than Life.’
  • In 2004, she produced the Hindi film ‘Paisa Vasool.’
  • In November 2012, Manisha was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer. Earlier, she was unaware of it and consulted a doctor only after she started feeling weak. Initially, she consulted doctors in Nepal and then in India. For surgery, she went to the US. In 2014, she was declared cancer-free.

    Manisha Koirala after her surgery

    Manisha Koirala after her surgery

  • In 2015, she judged the beauty pageant Femina Miss India.
  • In the same year, Manisha was appointed as the UNFPA Goodwill Ambassador for Nepal.
  • She was appointed as Goodwill Ambassador of Urban Development for the Bagmati Cleanup Mega Campaign in 2017.
  • In 2017, she was invited to TEDx Talks in Udaipur, Rajasthan.

    Manisha Koirala in an event of TEDx Talks

    Manisha Koirala in an event of TEDx Talks

  • In 2018, she co-authored her book titled ‘Healed’ which was later, translated in Nepali.

    Manisha Koirala's book

    Manisha Koirala’s book

  • She portrayed the Indian actress Nargis in the Hindi film ‘Sanju’ in 2018.

    Sanju

    Sanju

  • The Indian actress Aishwarya Rai once shared that Manisha had spread false information against Aishwarya’s relationships.
  • Manisha has been actively involved in various social welfare activities for women welfare and cancer survivors.
  • In 2020, she started ‘Manisha Koirala Cancer Education Fund’ to provide educational scholarships to cancer victims.

    Manisha Koirala with a cancer patient

    Manisha Koirala with a cancer patient

  • She was featured in the Hindi romantic musical ’99 Songs’ in 2021 by AR Rahman.
  • In 2023, she acted in the Hindi TV series ‘Freedom.’
  • She played the role of Malikajaan in the Netflix Hindi web series ‘Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar’ in 2024.

    Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar

    Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar

  • As per her Instagram bio, she is a cinephile (a person who is fond of the cinema) and a nature lover.
  • Manisha is an avid animal lover and has a pet dog named Mowgli Koirala and a pet cat named Oeo. Earlier, she had another pet dog named Sparky who had died.

    Manisha Koirala with her pet dog

    Manisha Koirala with her pet dog

  • To remain fit, she regularly visits a gym and practices yoga.

    Manisha Koirala at a gym

    Manisha Koirala at a gym

  • She has walked the ramp in various fashion shows.

    Manisha Koirala in a fashion show

    Manisha Koirala in a fashion show

  • She has been featured on the cover of various magazines like Filmfare, Health & Nutrition, TMM, and Perfect Woman.

    Manisha Koirala featured on Filmfare magazine

    Manisha Koirala featured on Filmfare magazine

  • Manisha and her family follows the spiritual institution Oneness University.

    Manisha Koirala at Oneness University

    Manisha Koirala at Oneness University

  • She is a religious person and has a deep faith in God.

    Manisha Koirala in a temple

    Manisha Koirala in a temple

  • She is often spotted consuming alcohol at parties and events.

    Manisha Koirala holding a glass of wine

    Manisha Koirala holding a glass of wine

  • Earlier, she was a chain smoker however after she was diagnosed with cancer, she quit it.

    Manisha Koirala holding a cigarette

    Manisha Koirala holding a cigarette

  • She has been working as a motivational speaker after she recovered from cancer.
  • Manisha has started a blog site.
  • She once shared that in her younger days, she had a crush on the Indian actor Sanjay Dutt.
  • In 2024, she met the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Rishi Sunak to celebrate the 100 years friendship treaty between UK and Nepal.

    Manisha Koirala with Rishi Sunak on the day of 100 years of friendship treaty between Nepal and UK

    Manisha Koirala with Rishi Sunak on the day of 100 years of friendship treaty between Nepal and UK

References/Sources:[+]