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Acclaimed Bollywood actress, cancer survivor, and activist Manisha Koirala spoke candidly on politics, health, and life during a thought-provoking conversation at an event hosted by Here & Now 365 at The Chambers, Taj 51 Buckingham Gate, London.

In conversation with Manish Tiwari, founder of Here & Now 365, Koirala offered rare personal insights while addressing some of Nepal’s most pressing political concerns. Sharing her perspective on the country’s turbulent democratic journey, she said, "Every leader undoes what the previous leader did. That's why democracy doesn’t seem to work in Nepal. No government lasts."

While expressing support for democracy, Koirala said she believes Nepal also needs a monarchy to maintain balance. "I believe Nepal needs a monarchy on top so there’s some balance," the actor said. 

Responding to a question on how she reconciles her family's political heritage with her career in global cinema, Koirala said, "I love my country deeply. But I worry, there’s a longing for dignity and stability. We need to rebuild institutions, not just governments."

Manisha Koirala On Cancer and Resilience

Reflecting on her personal battle with ovarian cancer, Koirala shared an emotional account of her journey through illness and survival. "When the doctor told me I had cancer, I thought, this is it. I’m going to die. But by God’s grace, I didn’t. I learned to live again."

On what resilience meant to her, she added, “Resilience isn’t a heroic burst. It’s a series of small choices, made moment by moment."

Her Bollywood Story

Briefly recalling her early days in Bollywood, Koirala said, “I hadn’t even finished Class 12 and suddenly I was standing next to Dilip Kumar and Raj Kumar on a film set!" Known for her powerful performances in films like '1942: A Love Story', 'Bombay' and 'Dil Se', she acknowledged the price of fame. "I burned out. I was working 18–19 hours a day… Slowly, I lost direction."