Manisha Koirala

Manisha Koirala (born on August 16, 1970 in Kathmandu, Nepal), is a Nepali actress who works in Indian films, as well as a UNFPA Goodwill Ambassador and social activist. Koirala has primarily worked in Hindi cinema, though she has appeared in several Tamil films as well. She is also an accomplished Bharatnatyam and Manipuri dancer.

Controversies

Ek Chotisi Love Story

In 2002, Manisha accused the director of the film Ek Chotisi Love Story Shashilal Nair of using Koirala's body double to shoot some love scenes in the film and portraying her in bad light by shooting obscene postures using another actress in her place, without Manisha's approval to do so. Koirala required from Nair to re-shoot these scenes because the double's body did not match her physique and required that these scenes be deleted from the film. She later claimed that Nair had stipulated he would re-shoot the scenes only if she agreed to bear half the expenses.

“ I always believed in Shashi. I did this film out of sheer goodwill. I had nothing to gain from it financially as I did the film for free. I also gave him all the dates immediately. It was his first chance to direct a film in four years. He has a family to support and I couldn't bear to see a friend in hardship. Koirala decided to sue Nair and dragged him to court. She has moved the court against him, and objected to the alleged nudity and obscene postures, and pleaded that these scenes be deleted from the film, saying she had not performed in these scenes and that Nair had made use of another actress for this. Finally, the court decided to stay the release of the film.

The pet case

Another controversy occurred in February 2006, following a media report claiming Koirala had named her pet dog after a revered Muslim figure, which caused demonstrations against her. Koirala was provided police security to prevent problems. The accusations continued, although Koirala denied them and the police said the actress had no pet at all.

Personal life

Manisha has dated several high profile and lesser known men including her earliest boyfriend Sameer (who was a working professional in the US), actors Rahul Roy, Vivek Mushran, Nana Patekar, Aryan Vaid, Australian ambassador Crispin Conroy, UK based Cecil Anthony among others. She is now reportedly marrying an American named Christopher Dorris. Manisha is known for her gregarious and easy going nature.