Manisha Koirala Reminisces About ‘Khamoshi’ and Her Bond with Sanjay Leela Bhansali

In a candid interview, Manisha Koirala discusses her deep affection for ‘Khamoshi: The Musical,’ considering it a landmark film in her career. She credits Sanjay Leela Bhansali as her favorite director, underlining their fruitful partnership. Koirala revealed that other prominent actresses were considered for the role, and she was given the script to offer feedback, leading her to fall in love with Annie’s character. She cherishes the memories of working on the film, appreciating the songs, performances, and Bhansali’s guidance, especially his encouragement of her performance. The actress vividly remembers the Goa shooting experience, highlighting the focused efforts of the entire cast and crew, including Salman Khan, Nana Patekar, and Helen. Reflecting on her role as a deaf and mute character, Koirala found the experience challenging yet profound, emphasizing the beauty she found in the character’s pain. Koirala acknowledges her long-standing friendship with Bhansali, which predates ‘Khamoshi,’ and values their close bond, which she feels transcends professional collaboration. She recalls how Bhansali supported her after her cancer treatment. She also describes her experience of playing Annie, highlighting the challenge of understanding Annie’s world and how it helped her to understand the character’s emotions and family dynamics, even though the circumstances were foreign to her own. Koirala celebrates her upcoming 55th birthday, expressing gratitude for her career and the love she has received.