KATHMANDU, Dec 18: Manisha Koirala, the renowned Bollywood actor, arrived on the stage donning a long black overcoat and over-the-knee black boot. She looked confident and charismatic and ready to interact with the press about her book ‘Healed’ at the ‘Meet The Author’ event held at Alice Receptions, Kathmandu.

In the press meet organized by BookWorm Foundation, Manisha shared her experience about writing the new book.  She said the book is about her journey; fighting cancer and how cancer gave her a new life amidst physical and mental pressure.

Addressing the press, Manisha, said that writing a book is a daunting task for her. She almost quit writing the book.

“I almost dropped the idea of the book because it is so painful to remember the agonizing moments of the journey,” she said.

“I think I started to write this book from last December. While recording and recollecting those memories, I was struggling hard. Despite such excruciating moments, I kept on pushing myself. I decided to stop my pen after almost five months.  But the publisher of Penguin Books House, India, encouraged me to complete the book.”

 She further said that it was a new, strange and painful moment throughout her battle against cancer. She also learnt many things after overcoming cancer. “The book is specific about the story of my ‘cancer period’ which will rekindle a hope among cancer patients,” Manisha said.

Manisha denied her book being an autobiography. “If I had included all incidents of my life, it would lose its essence,” she said. “Many people might ask me why I didn’t include my childhood days, Bollywood life and personal experience in this book. I will separately write about them later. But I felt the experience of cancer was an important part of my life which I don’t want to forget it. I want to share my first-hand experience about the journey among the reader,” she added.

The book will be globally launched at the IME Nepal Literature Festival, 2018. It will be launched on the first day of the festival’s 7th edition to be held in Pokhara from December 22 to 25. The book will also be published in Nepali by Fineprint Publication. The amount collected from the book sales will be donated to Cancer Care Nepal. Koirala handed over Rs 100,000 to the foundation at the event.

“‘Healed’ is the powerful, moving and deeply personal story of actor Manisha Koirala’s battle against ovarian cancer. From her treatment in the US and the wonderful care provided by the oncologists there to how she rebuilt her life once she returned home, the book takes us on an emotional roller-coaster ride through many fears and struggles and shows how she eventually came out triumphant,” The Penguin Random House posted on its website on Monday.

The cover was unveiled on November 10 through her official Twitter account. She tweeted, “Overcoming cancer has been a lesson in self-discovery and learning to love life again!! Dear friend, presenting you my book.”

Manisha was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2012 and underwent treatment in the USA for six months. With special treatment from oncologists, the willpower of Manisha completely defeated cancer in 2015. She afterward bounced back in Bollywood in movies like ‘Dear Maya’ and ‘Sanju’.  

Manisha garnered success in Bollywood with her debut movie ‘Saudagar’. She then went on to act in movies like ‘Mann’, ‘Dil Se’, ‘Khamoshi’, ‘Bombay’ and many others . She has bagged a total of four Filmfare Awards.