Heeramandi: Manisha Koirala reunites with Sanjay Leela Bhansali after Khamoshi; calls the series a ‘turning point’

From 1942: A Love Story, Bombay and Khamoshi: The Musical to Dil Se.., Mann and more, Manisha Koirala has a slew of remarkable films to her credit. Cut to the present day, the acclaimed actress is now getting ready for the upcoming Sanjay Leela Bhansali spectacle - Heeramandi - Where Courtesans Were Queens. Touted as the digital equivalent of Mughal-e-Azam on OTT, the highly-anticipated Netflix original series could prove to be a game-changer for her, Manisha feels.  

Releasing on Netflix later this year, the series features Aditi Rao Hydari, Richa Chadha, Sonakshi Sinha, Sharmin Segal, Sanjeeda Sheikh and Manisha in pivotal roles. The ‘magnum opus’ is set in pre-Independence India, while the plot is centred on a powerful group of courtesans.

Also read: Heeramandi: Is Sanjay Leela Bhansali creating a Mughal-e-Azam style experience on OTT?

Describing the filmmaker as a ‘maestro’, Manisha told PTI in an interview that it was a pleasure to reunite with him after more than 25 years. “Bhansali is somebody with whom I worked in Khamoshi, and there was a long gap but we stayed in touch. We have a deep bond of friendship, which is not limited to work. I have a deep-rooted respect for him because he is one filmmaker, who has improved with every film, and that’s because of his work ethics, which nobody can match,” the actress elaborated.

The actress further said that she was thrilled when the Gangubai Kathiawadi director offered her the show. “He is a simple person. He is very much rooted. It is a pleasure to be working with him. It is a male-dominated society and films are also made like that. One has come to make peace with it. Within the limited scope we all try to do our best. Being a female actor, we have always somehow been ok with having a second place to the male actors. It is a male dominated industry… And there are very few filmmakers like Bhansali, in whose films females are the main protagonists and they are mega successes at the box office,” she added.

Speaking about the major turning points in her career, the 52-year-old actress said, “The turning points for me have been Saudagar, 1942: A Love Story, Bombay and after a long gap I did Company. Now, I feel Heeramandi could be my turning point. I’m keeping my fingers crossed.”

Also read: Sanjay Leela Bhansali on his transition from big screen to OTT with Heeramandi: It's so demanding

So, what is success for her? “What I call success is the freedom to do what I want to do and at what time. I feel I am pretty successful today because I have the luxury to say no… The undying love for this profession keeps me going. I love the field of acting and cinema,” Manisha responded.

According to the actress, the idea of being successful in the 1990s was having a busy schedule. “Earlier when I started my career it was about filling your date diary. I was told if the actors are busy for the next three years, they are happening and rocking actors, so my focus was that.” 

However, after 32 years in the world of entertainment, her focus has shifted. “I would rather have a lot of free time, where I can travel, do gardening, trekking, write a book, binge watch, spend time with family… Do things that interest me rather than do mediocre projects,” she said.

In the recent past, Manisha has been part of projects like Shehzada, Lust Stories and Sanju. “I am extremely keen to have the love and affection of newer audiences as well as to keep the memory alive of my fans, who have seen my past work of 20 or 30 years… They are my inspiration to do better work,” she summed up.