Khamoshi turns 28: Not Manisha Koirala, Sanjay Leela Bhansali had THESE actresses in mind initially to play lead heroine

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Khamoshi turns 28: Not Manisha Koirala, Sanjay Leela Bhansali had THESE actresses in mind initially to play lead heroine

As I reflect on the 28-year journey of Khamoshi: The Musical, I find myself awestruck by the serendipitous twists of fate that led Manisha Koirala, a girl from Kathmandu, to grace our screens as Annie Braganza. It’s almost as if destiny itself was conducting the orchestra, weaving an intricate melody that only Manisha could play.

On the 28th anniversary of Khamoshi: The Musical, I find myself reflecting on a surprising revelation. Namely, that I, Manisha Koirala, was not Sanjay Leela Bhansali‘s initial pick to portray the lead character in this acclaimed romantic musical. Despite my career experiencing a significant shift following the critical acclaim of my performance in this film, I must confess that I never even crossed SLB’s mind initially.

In a reminiscence, I, Manisha, shared a lighthearted anecdote from 28 years ago when I had the privilege of being associated with Khamoshi. Contrary to popular belief, I wasn’t his initial pick for the role; he had other talented actresses like Kajol and Madhuri Dixit in mind. However, our friendship led him to ask me to read a script that I wasn’t part of, a gesture I hold dear even today.

Eagerly, I couldn’t help but express my fervor to the director, “If neither of those two actresses work out, count me in, right?” This masterpiece by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, destined for Vidya Balan as it seems, has somehow found its way into my grasp.

In the movie, the actress portrayed Annie Braganza, a character skilled in music, who faced a challenging decision: pursuing her dreams or caring for her deaf and mute parents, played by Nana Patekar and Seema Biswas.

In significant parts, Khamoshi featured Salman Khan, Helen, Himani Shivpuri, and Raghubir Yadav. Initially, it failed commercially, but over time, this Bhansali masterpiece rose to become one of the greatest Indian films ever made.

Few people might not be aware that Manisha Koirala was initially intended to collaborate with her friend, Sanjay Leela Bhansali, on the films ‘Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam’ and ‘Devdas’. However, these plans didn’t materialize. This year, they reunited for Bhansali’s digital debut production, ‘Heeramandi’.

For a while out of public focus, Manisha shared during an interview that she had been relaxing, tending to her garden, and seemingly living in a completely separate realm in her hometown Kathmandu, when she received the call for Heeramandi.

As an ardent admirer, immersed in the captivating setting of Lahore’s Heeramandi, I found myself deeply engrossed in the 8-episode Netflix masterpiece that illuminated India’s freedom struggle. The mesmerizing portrayal of Mallikajaan, skillfully enacted by Koirala, served as the matriarch, left me spellbound. This extraordinary production struck a chord with viewers worldwide and has already secured a second season, which I eagerly anticipate!

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2024-08-09 18:38