PremiumManisha Koirala recalls her battle with cancer - 'Treatment, fear factor & everything was...' | EXCL
Manisha Koirala was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2012 and was declared cancer-free a few years later. In an exclusive chat with OTTplay, the 53-year-old recalled the difficult phase of her life.
Last Updated: 03.06 PM, Apr 28, 2024
The year was 2012 when Manisha Koirala was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. By the grace of God and timely treatment, the senior actress was soon declared cancer-free. In 2018, she penned a book, titled Healed: How Cancer Gave Me A New Life. Cut to now, Manisha is gearing up for the release of her web series, Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar. In an exclusive chat with OTTplay, she not only spoke about the series but also recalled her battle with cancer.
Manisha Koirala recalls her battle with cancer
OTTplay asked Manisha Koirala about the highest highs and lowest lows of her career. That is when the 53-year-old actress, who had plenty of highs and lows, said, "I will give you one example which was my lowest but also to me was a huge gift, like my cancer."
Manisha further mentioned, "I was diagnosed with stage four cancer and I thought I was going to die. Of course, the treatment, the fear factor and everything was quite tough — not knowing whether I was going to live or not, whether there was going to be a relapse or not, (it was like) living with a sword over your head and you don't know when it's going to fall on you."
Manisha Koirala on a different perspective to her cancer diagnosis
Although the treatment was tough for Manisha Koirala, the actress had another perspective on being diagnosed with cancer.
"I also feel cancer, the other way of looking at it, made me so aware of impermanence and about life that today we have life, and tomorrow we have to say goodbye and about how important health is. It's not only in books that health is weath, it's actually (true). When I am healthy, only then I can achieve everything. If I am in a hospital bed flat out, I really can't do anything and I can't enjoy life. So, health is the most important aspect of our life. The reality hit me that time. So, like that many things including cancer and fear of death or living in that fear for a long time taught me (the importance of health). I will be eternally grateful for that," she added.
Manisha Koirala on not taking things for granted
Continuing the conversation, Manisha mentioned that she doesn't take things for granted now. "Today, I seize the moment and I don't take it for granted. Koi opportunity aaya hai toh grab karo and gale se lagalo and dil bharke jeeyo. Aur ek din toh chutne wala hai, toh chod do fir, then move on to next. I just want to enjoy life. I just want to grab life with both arms open and live it. And the day my time comes, when I have to say goodbye, I want to say with a big smile that I lived my life. So, it's a thin mix of loving it intensely and learning to let go," she said while signing off.
Meanwhile, Manisha's web show, Heeramandi, will premiere on Netflix on May 1, 2024.