Manisha Koirala’s Thoughts On Being Compared To Madhuri Dixit

Manisha Koirala recently took a nostalgic look back at her early Bollywood days, and let’s just say that being compared to Madhuri Dixit back in 1991 didn’t exactly make her day. She revealed that when she first started, she wasn’t flattered by the “lookalike” label. Back then, Manisha saw herself as a bit of a rebel, someone eager to carve out her own identity rather than slotting into Bollywood’s set expectations. She was all about following her own path, even if it meant resisting the industry's norms and the comparisons that came with them. She was far from flattered by the comparisons and saw herself as someone who preferred a different path, one that didn’t require following anyone else’s shadow. 

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But as time passed, her views softened. When she finally shared screen space with Madhuri in *Lajja* almost a decade later, her perspective had completely shifted. In a recent interview with ANI, Manisha opened up about how that experience was transformative. With a more mature outlook, she started to truly appreciate Madhuri’s presence—her beauty, grace, and above all, her humble nature. It dawned on her that Madhuri was not just a gifted actress but a genuinely grounded person, someone who carried herself with a respectfulness that left a lasting impact. 

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In Lajja, they shared an unforgettable dance sequence, and Manisha admitted she put in everything she had to match Madhuri’s skill. She found the experience both challenging and incredibly inspiring, a moment that reshaped her admiration for Madhuri from mere acknowledgment to genuine respect.

Interestingly, Manisha discovered later that Madhuri had a hand in her early success. After spotting her in a photoshoot by photographer Rakesh Shrestha, Madhuri had recommended Manisha’s name to Subhash Ghai, saying she saw something promising in her. This gesture led Ghai to consider Manisha for the role in Saudagar, essentially setting her on her Bollywood path. Reflecting on the experience, Manisha remembered being incredibly young and naive at the time, fresh out of her 12th grade, with little exposure to the industry or life’s complexities. She often felt fearful and kept a distance from others on set.

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As her career progressed, Manisha’s path continued to intertwine with Madhuri’s legacy. Just three years after her debut, she notably replaced Madhuri in Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s 1942: A Love Story, a pivotal moment that solidified her standing in the industry. Recently, Manisha returned to the screen in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Heeramandi, where she plays Mallika Jaan, joining a stellar cast in the much-anticipated web series.