“Dharma” produced by Dr, Durga Pokharel stars Manisha Koirala and Rajesh Hamal in the lead roles.[break]
At the album release of the film on Monday Koirala spoke with ease about her part in the film and her work. The Nepali beauty was one of the most sought after actresses in the 90s. She started her career with Subash Ghai’s “Saudagar” and went on to work with the most popular directors in Bollywood.
In Sanjay Lila Banshali’s debut film “Khamoshi:The Musical” she was paired opposite Salman Khan. Sharukh Khan was her co- star in “Dil Se” and she even danced with Arjun Rampal in “Moksha”. Mani Ratnam’s “Bombay” however set a milestone in her career. She won the “Filmfare Critics Award for Best Performance” in 1996 for her role as Shaila Bano in the film .Another Filmfare critics award followed next year with “Khamoshi”. Commercial success arrived for her with films like “1974: A Love Story”, “Gupt” and “Company”.
But in recent years she has shied away from commercial films mostly choosing women oriented roles in low budget films.“ That’s a conscious decision I make and I enjoy the work I do,” she said. “I am happy that “I am” is getting such a good exposure and rave reviews from film festivals worldwide.”
“I am” directed by Onir is a collection of four short films that stars actors like Juhi Chawla, Rahul Bose, Sanjay Suri among others. “Do Paise Ki Dhoop, Char Aane Ki Baarish” on the other hand is actor Deepti Naval’s directorial debut. Both the films have been screened in prestigious film festivals like Rotterdam Film Festival, and The Chicago Film Festival.
With “Dharma” set to release around Tihar, Koirala is happy to be doing a Nepali film after so long. She mentioned that it was Pokharel’s inspiration that urged her to do the film. “I found the Dharma team to be very professional and the story was appealing,” she said.
If the film will achieve commercial success or not is yet to be seen but the beauty confirmed that she was here to stay. “I will be directing an issue based Nepali film very soon,” she asserted.
Director and actor Ashok Sharma who was present at the event said, “It’s an honor for the industry that Manisha is doing a Nepali film”. Pokharel who is working on her second project “Khagarash” agreed and added, “Manisha plays the role of plain housewife who transforms into a rebellious woman after her husband’s death. I am sure the film will enthrall audiences.”
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