She was the indisputable favourite of the 1990s, thanks to her graceful, powerful, and immensely talented acting skills. The actress ruled hearts but disappeared from Bollywood after being diagnosed with cancer.

From early struggles to working with legendary filmmakers and delivering unforgettable songs and performances, she became one of Hindi cinema’s most respected actresses.

Still guessing? The actress in question is Manisha Koirala, one of Bollywood’s finest performers, well-known for her depth, elegance, and fearless choices.

Born on August 16, 1970, in Kathmandu, Nepal, she entered the Indian film industry in the early 1990s and quickly made her mark.

Her Bollywood debut came with the 1991 film Saudagar, directed by Subhash Ghai. The critically acclaimed actress then went on to perform in films like 1942: A Love Story, Bombay, Dil Se, Khamoshi: The Musical, and Mann.

Despite early commercial failures, she carved a place for herself as a powerhouse performer through sheer talent and determination.

Often called underrated during her golden era, critics and audiences alike admired her powerful screen presence. The actress last starred on screen in 2015 in Chehere.

Besides acting, Manisha Koirala have touched the hearts of many listeners with hermemorable songs. Some include Pyar Hua Chupke Se from 1942: A Love Story, Raja Ko Rani Se from Aamir Khan’s Akele Hum Akele Tum, and Dil Se Re from Shah Rukh Khan’s hit film Dil Se.

In 2012, Manisha was diagnosed with stage four ovarian cancer, leading her to step away from films. She received her treatment at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York and was declared cancer-free in 2013.

After successful treatment, she released a book titled Healed in 2018, where she shared her journey. Through her book, she wanted to provide support to other women who are going through ovarian cancer.

After a five year long hiatus from movies, Manisha Koirala made a powerful comeback with films like Dear Maya, Lust Stories and Sanju, all of which were commercial and critical successes.

Most recently, she mesmerized audiences as Mallikajaan in Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar. Set in the pre-independence era, the Netflix series garnered positive reviews, reminding audiences of her timeless appeal.