Manisha Koirala Regrets Rejecting Role in ‘Dil To Pagal Hai’ Due to ‘Silly Insecurities’ About Starring with Madhuri Dixit

Manisha Koirala, a well-known Bollywood actress, expressed regret over rejecting a role in the film “Dil To Pagal Hai” because she felt “scared” to star alongside Madhuri Dixit, a renowned actress in the Indian film industry. During an interview with India Today, Manisha shared her thoughts on why she decided against taking the role and how it later influenced her career decisions.

Manisha explained that her rejection of the film, directed by Yash Chopra, stemmed from her insecurities about being compared to Madhuri Dixit. She mentioned that every actress of her time wanted to work with Yash Chopra because of the way he portrayed women in his films. However, the idea of working with Madhuri made her apprehensive, leading her to back out of the project. This role was eventually played by Karisma Kapoor.

Looking back, Manisha acknowledged that this was a missed opportunity, especially considering Yash Chopra’s reputation as a filmmaker and his ability to bring out the best in his leading ladies. She realized that her fear was unfounded and regretted her decision.

However, Manisha later got the opportunity to work alongside Madhuri Dixit and Rekha in the 2001 film “Lajja,” directed by Rajkumar Santoshi. This time, she didn’t let her insecurities hold her back. The film’s story, centered on women’s issues from different strata of society, resonated with Manisha, and she embraced the role. She felt it was a chance to make up for her earlier mistake of letting her insecurities dictate her career choices.

In “Lajja,” Manisha found working with Madhuri and Rekha to be a rewarding experience. She noted that having strong actors on set pushed her to perform better and that they inspired her to raise her own game. By the time “Lajja” came along, Manisha had gained the perspective to recognize that collaboration with talented actors can be a positive experience, enhancing the performance of everyone involved.

Ultimately, Manisha’s journey from rejecting a role due to insecurities to embracing a challenging project in “Lajja” reflects her growth as an actress and her recognition of the value of working with other talented performers. She now appreciates the positive impact that strong co-stars can have on her own craft and regrets missing out on earlier opportunities due to her “silly insecurities.”