Manisha Koirala is a dedicated humanitarian and actress who served as a UNFPA Goodwill Ambassador on two occasions, advocating for women’s rights, prevention of violence against women, and combating human trafficking of Nepali girls. During her second term in 2015, she led the UNFPA “Dignity First” campaign following the Nepal earthquake, supporting vulnerable women and children affected by the disaster. Since overcoming ovarian cancer in 2013, she has become a prominent motivational speaker and cancer awareness advocate, working with numerous NGOs around the world. She currently serves as the Honorary President of Cancercare Nepal, works with the Impact Foundation of Tata Memorial Cancer Care Hospital in Mumbai, and collaborates with Ovacome, a UK cancer charity, focusing on preventative lifestyle, holistic approaches for health and healing advocacy, and the importance of early diagnosis. She authored HEALED, a memoir documenting not only her cancer journey but also offering insights on facing life’s difficulties with resilience.
She is widely recognized for her critically acclaimed performances in landmark Indian cinema, establishing herself as one of Bollywood’s most talented actresses. Her breakthrough roles in “1942: A Love Story” (1994), “Bombay” (1995), “Khamoshi: The Musical” (1996), “Akele Hum Akele Tum” (1995), and “Dil Se” (1998) earned her multiple Filmfare Critics’ Awards. After a health-related hiatus, she made a successful comeback with “Dear Maya” (2017), “Sanju” (2018), “I Am,” “Lust Stories,” (2018). Most recently, she has starred in the acclaimed period drama Netflix series “Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar” (2024).
Her educational path began at Vasant Kanya Mahavidyalaya in Varanasi and continued at Army Public School in Delhi. Initially aspiring to become a doctor, she later pursued acting and eventually earned a filmmaking diploma from New York University in 2004. While living in New York, she became a member of an independent documentary filmmaker’s society.
Born in Kathmandu, Nepal, she comes from the politically prominent Koirala family. Her father Prakash served as environment minister, while her grandfather Bishweshwar and great-uncles Girija Prasad and Matrika Prasad all served as Prime Ministers of Nepal. She spent her formative years between Nepal and India, developing independence that would later characterize both her career choices and humanitarian work.