Veteran actress Manisha Koirala, who once charmed South Indian audiences with hit films like Oke Okkadu, Bombay, and Bharateeyudu, has finally spoken out about why she stepped away from South cinema. Known for her grace, talent, and strong screen presence, Manisha became a household name in the ’90s and early 2000s. However, after a brief but successful stint, her appearances in South Indian films dwindled, and now, she’s revealed the reason.
In a recent interview, the Heeramandi actress candidly shared that the failure of the 2002 film Baba, in which she starred opposite superstar Rajinikanth, had a lasting impact on her career in the South. “Until Baba, I was getting great offers from the South. But after the film failed at the box office, those opportunities just stopped coming,” she said.
Directed by Suresh Krissna and produced by Rajinikanth himself, Baba was a highly anticipated release at the time. Despite the buzz, the film was a commercial failure. Manisha revealed that while her role in the film wasn’t particularly significant, she accepted it because she was cast opposite Rajinikanth. Unfortunately, the film’s poor reception seemed to have an unexpected consequence: a dramatic drop in offers from South Indian filmmakers.
Aside from her film career, Manisha Koirala is also admired for her real-life strength. A cancer survivor, she took a break from the film industry during her treatment and recovery. In recent years, she has made a successful comeback, notably receiving praise for her performance in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Netflix series Heeramandi.
While Bollywood continues to embrace her talent, Manisha hopes to return to South Indian cinema, where she once had a loyal fan base. Whether that second innings will come remains to be seen, but her honesty and resilience continue to inspire.