Manisha magic once more!

Bollywood's Nepali beauty unfurls her ideas on her visit to the isle :

Amalshan Gunerathne

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Blessed with beauty and charm to go along with her aesthetic talents, she has given life to timeless Bollywood reels that linger in the hearts of movie lovers. Her juvenile and vibrant presence in cinema touched movie buff's hearts to the core. Manisha Koirala, the jovial soul she is, visited Sri Lanka on par with the 'Sambudhathva Jayanthi Film Festival' which unraveled at the BMICH for Vesak.

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Awards

* 1996, Filmfare Critics Award for Best Performance for Bombay

* 1997, Filmfare Critics Award for Best Performance for Khamoshi: The Musical

* 1997, Star Screen Award Best Actress, for Khamoshi: The Musical

* 2003, Filmfare Critics Award for Best Performance for Company

* 2004, Bengal Film Journalists' Association Awards, Best Actress for Escape From Taliban

* 2006, Gorkha Dakshin Bahu Honoured by the than King of Nepal for achievement in the Indian film industry

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Even in her forties, she still looks gorgeous, stunning and elegant. However it was not her dazzling looks alone that paved a way for three Filmfare awards. Versatile and proficient at her profession, the dazzling dame has surpassed more than two decades in the Indian film industry and acted opposite some of the biggest names in the scene.

Though still a very much an active figure in the Bollywood industry, her heyday was during late 90s where she gave life to some of most memorable creations in Indian cinema. Touching fans through reels like 1942: A Love Story, Kamoshi, Dil Se, Akale Hum Akale Thum and Bombay she is an icon to many.

Born to a politically affluence family in Nepal, Manisha first burst through to cinema in the Nepal film Pheri Bhetaula (We shall Meet Again). She entered Bollywood through Subash Ghai's Saudagar though her breakthrough performance was in Mani Ratnam's 1942: A Love Story. However, transition from Nepali cinema to the Bollywood culture was not a hard one for her.

"I m a very 'people's person'. I can blend and make friends. I guess I was accepted for the way I was," she spells the remedy of her success.

She is in a sense a multicultural actress.

"Each country, each religion and each individual has a very unique beauty about them. I find it fascinating," she pronounced.

Whether it is a role of a juvenile youth or the battered figure of a tormented wife, her acting prowess provides her with the capacity to fit into any character.

"I never want be known as a person who is restricted to certain roles. I didn't want to be remembered as an actress who can perform only a certain range of roles. I have tried commercial films, artistic films and I am happy with the positive response I have got so far," she explained.

Even her latest projects vary from commercial based creations to artistic films. The 2011 movie, Mapillai is a commercial based film where as Electra is more of an artistic film.

Some of her greatest performances came in Mani Ratnam's movies like Dil Se and Bombay.

"When I was working with him on Bombay, I had to put in a lot of effort. I had to learn Tamil. But when I was working with him on Dil Se it was different. It was a very nice and relaxing experience. He is basically a very simple person. He has a very creative mind," the Nepali beauty noted.

When asked who her favorite acting counterpart is, she was bit hesitant at first. Later she added with a spontaneously smile, "I think Aamir Khan is good, I really like his role in Three Idiots."

When questioned on her transition from youthful heroines to more mature characters, Manisha witty quipped, "You mean, I m getting old? Yes, we will see how it goes. I am sure I can adapt."

She is inspired by Buddhist teachings and expects to portray a role in the movie Prince Siddhartha. It will be produced by Light of Asia Foundation president Naveen Gunerathne.

"It is prestigious project. I don't think that execution will be easy. However we are hoping to live up to everyone's expectations," Manisha mused enthusiastically.

This is her first visit to Sri Lanka. She was with her husband, Samrat Dahal, and denied the popular rumor that they met through a social networking site with a smile.

"It is nothing but a rumour" she said.

Queried about her opinion on Sri Lanka she said, "Yes, everybody said to me it is a beautiful place and I am looking forward travelling around a bit during my short stay.

The whole Vesak celebrations are also a very unique experience for me. I haven't seen such celebrations anywhere else. I went to temple yesterday and I was quite overwhelmed. I never knew Buddhism makes such a great impact on the whole country."

Her closing remarks were, "Don't go with the concept that it is a bad world. It is a tough, competitive world. Life is not a bed of roses; it has its thorns as well. But always follow your passion with lots of hard work and dedication. It is actually a wonderful world to be in."