 "Manisha Koirala on 'Heeramandi': Impacted by my cancer, I was so consumed by depression during the shooting that…'")
Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s ‘Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar’ has finally been released and has started to create waves across the globe. SLB fondly decorated the 8 episodic series with enthralling sets, an amazing cast, and a larger-than-life world. And in an interview with NDTV, Manisha Koirala spoke about how she went through depression during the making of the show.
The actress revealed, “Impacted by cancer, I know how body and mind are intertwined. They are dependable. Even now sometimes I work in depression. Honestly speaking, when I was doing Heeramandi, it consumed me so much, my mood swings… And I was just like ‘Sail through this phase. Once this is out, focus on your health.'
She added, “I have a lot to be grateful for in life… a career that saw a lot of high moments, significant roles, best directors, and friendships that have stood the test of time… and it is with God’s grace that I have been given a second life after battling cancer. I have also seen the lowest depths in life and took many wrong turns. Life has been a good teacher with all its highs and lows, and I understand the value of time more intensely now.”
It was 1996 when Sanjay Leela Bhansali took his first step in the realm of entertainment as a director with ‘Khamoshi: The Musical.’ A box office bomb upon release, the film has over the years gained a cult following and is cited as one of the best films of Hindi cinema.
It’s almost 30 years since SLB made his directorial debut with the talented Manisha Koirala in ‘Khamoshi: The Musical,’ and now with his grand OTT debut ‘ Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar ’ on Netflix, the actor-director duo has made a bang-on comeback. The show has been released, and SLB is yet again casting his magic with Manisha Koirala as Mallikajaan.
Smashing ageism in Bollywood, Manisha Koirala believes now there is a role for every craftsman in the industry. ‘Heeramandi is a perfect example on how women’s roles in cinema are changing.