‘Never imagined life would FLOWER INTO THIS PHASE’

Manisha was still recovering from cancer when she was about to start shooting for ‘Heeramandi’

MUMBAI: Manisha Koirala was still recovering from cancer when she was about to start shooting for ‘Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar', in which she plays one of the lead characters, an opportunity seldom offered to female artistes in their 50s. The 53-year-old actor is receiving good reviews for her role as the mercurial matriarch Mallikajaan in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's debut web series.

In a lengthy note on ‘Instagram', Koirala chronicled her journey of resuming work after battling ovarian cancer, portraying an important character in the lavish period drama and getting her due as a female actor thanks to streamers and evolving taste of the audience.

“I could never have imagined that after cancer and turning 50, my life would flower into this other phase,” she wrote, as she went on to enumerate two reasons.

Calling ‘Heeramandi' a significant milestone, Koirala said, “As a 53-year-old actor who has bagged an important role in a high-profile web series, I am overjoyed that I'm not stuck playing insignificant peripheral roles, thanks to OTT platforms and changing audience profiles.”

“Finally, female actors, technicians and other professionals have started getting the long overdue and well-deserved quality of work and respect in a professional environment. I am fortunate to be a part of this evolving era,” she added.

Secondly, she recalled feeling plagued with ‘doubts and anxiety' ahead of beginning shooting for the series amid recovery from cancer. She was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2012 and was cancer-free in 2014. “Would my body be strong enough to deal with the intense shooting schedules, heavy costumes and jewellery and perform a role requiring so much nuance and effortless effort?” she wrote.

Koirala said a key scene in ‘Heeramandi', which required her to be immersed in a water fountain for over 12 hours, tested her resilience. “The fountain sequence proved the most physically challenging. Even though Sanjay had thoughtfully ensured that the water was warm and clean, over the hours the water turned muddy because my team members, the cinematographer and the art director's team were getting into the water to work around the scene.”

In a lengthy note on ‘Instagram’, she chronicled her journey of resuming work after battling ovarian cancer, portraying an important character in the lavish period drama