First Maska, then golf
For the first time in her career, Manisha Koirala plays a Parsi woman in a new Netflix film called Maska. The title comes from the beloved bun-maska (buttered bread) that is a patent snack at Irani cafes.
“When director Neeraj Udhwani told me about Maska, I immediately knew this is what I want to be in. My career policy now is to do only good work, or otherwise not take up any acting offers. It’s not as if my life and livelihood is dependent on acting. There are so many other activities I enjoy — gardening, reading, meditation, travelling,” says the actress about the project and her non-acting pursuits.
However, travelling, is obviously a no-no at the moment. “We are all grounded, thanks to the (corona) virus. It is a reminder of how much we need to take care of our environment and personal health. Right now, I am at home in Mumbai with my parents. The only thing that my illness (cancer) taught me was to love myself and take care of my health. So, no travelling right now. I wanted to go to my home in Nepal to learn golf. I feel golf is so close to nature, those long stretches of greenery, they put you in direct touch with nature,” she says. Meanwhile, the actress — who regaled us with her performances in Sanjay Bhansali’s Khamoshi: The Musical, Mani Ratnam’s Bombay and Dil Se, and Mansoor Khan’s Akele Hum Akele Tum, is looking forward to the release of Maska. “It’s the first time I am playing a Parsi woman. I loved my role of a woman who would not lose hold of
Manisha Koirala is fully committed to a better, more humane, and healthy world her cultural history even if she has to fight with her own soul. So much of our culture is being sacrificed to globalisation,” laments Manisha, who says she is fully committed to a better, more humane, and healthy world.
As for the prevalence of Netflix, the actress opines that while the OTT platform is important, it is no replacement for the movie-theatre experience. “It may feel like the OTT is a substitute, especially at this time when the world is confined indoors. Of course, the OTT platform is important, she smiles in conclusion. —SKJ