A child of one of the powerful political families of Nepal, Manisha is now one of the three serious contenders to the top actress position. Manisha Koirala was born on 16 Aug. in NEPAL into a royal family where in her early childhood she inherited all that royal behavior, personality and communication skills, carefree attitude through total liberalism and love for everything around in the world.

She began her career with Subhash Ghai's, 'Saudagar', and by the time the film was complete, she had antagonised the Ghai camp so badly that her growth could have been stymied. Fortunately for her, she survived purely because she had signed a few other films when 'Saudagar' was in the making. "It is very difficult for me to give up. Push me in a corner and I'll bounce back in double time," she defies. In the beginning, according to her, subconsciously she was trying to find a base for herself. "And I found it difficult to convince people that I genuinely worked hard, because everyone had a preconceived idea of what kind of a person I was. It was very difficult for me to bow down and explain that. Besides, I don't like giving explanations because I know I am right."

At the onset, everything seemed to have gone wrong. Her films were doing badly, yet she was flooded with offers. Her career chart may not show a single hit on her own merit, still she is a serious contender for the top slot today thanks to her will-power and determination.And having worked with the top directors of the country like Mani Rathnam, Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Shekhar Kapoor, Ram Gopal Verma, Rajkumar Santoshi, Mahesh Bhatt and Mansoor Khan, Manisha Koirala has managed to make an indelible mark in the industry.

However, rumours of her unprofessionalism seem to make the rounds in the industry. "Whoever has been talking this shit about me now is fibbing. I'm very serious about my career. I go out of my way to co-operate with my filmmakers. I don't like the idea of people telling me what to do. I hate to be governed by anybody. People are so complexed and insecure about themselves that to cover up for themselves, they sit and malign others. I know a lot of actresses who sit and booze in steel glasses and deny any knowledge about how or what alcohol tastes like.They get away scot-free. Only I get spotted at some disc or party having a great time and am immediately labelled a drunk. It's unfair."

She went on to star in many hits such as 1942: A Love Story and Bombay.. The film was directed by Mani Ratnam, and she starred in his next film Dil Se as well in 1998. 1996 was her year with her films Agnisakshi doing well at the box office and her highly acclaimed role in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Khamoshi: The Musical. She played an important role in the alongside Kajol and Bobby Deol in the super hit Gupt. She starred with Ajay Devgan in the film Company directed by Ram Gopal Verma She also starred in the leading role in couple of Tamil and Telugu movies.

Her offbeat romance with Nana Patekar was seen as a move to improve her professional standing in the industry. "It's utter crap. If I wanted to gain professionally, then shouldn't I have had a relationship with some big director or producer?".

In September 1999, Koirala was appointed as a UNFPA Goodwill Ambassador. She is actively involved in social work, specifically working with organizations to promote women’s rights, prevention of violence against women, and also to prevent the human trafficking of Nepali girls for prostitution.

An absolute beauty she is, Manisha, with her transparent body captured the audience as well as the producers and the directors. She's got the charm, looks and acting talents too that she attracted the attention of the likes of RAM GOPAL VERMA and MANIRATNAM who offered her their projects so confidant of her acting capabilities. And she did it. She acted in a few films in SOUTH where she won a pretty audience too.
Today she's one of the hottest actresses in BOLLYWOOD and enjoying her filmi life with all the projects in hand striving to show the best in her.
Manisha Koirala is a wonderful personality having got a love for the human beings and pet animals that she reflects these qualities in real life frequently participating in activities of charity organisations and giving contributions at times.

Taj Mahal ,Mumbai Xpress ,Tum ,Paisa Vasool, Market, Ek Chhoti Si Love Story, Baba Jaani Dushman ,Escape From Taleban ,Moksha ,Abhay ,Lajja , Grahan , Champion, Kartoos, Hindustan Ki Kasam, Akele Hum Akele Tum, Agnisakshi, Bombay, Khamoshi, Dil Se and Mann.

1996, Filmfare Critics Award for Best Performance, Bombay
1997, Filmfare Critics Award for Best Performance, Khamoshi: The Musical
1997, Star Screen Award Best Actress, Khamoshi: The Musical
2003, Filmfare Critics Award for Best Performance, Company