‘Life is not a bed of roses’

Yash Goyal

Had she not taken her health for granted, Bollywood actress Manisha Koirala, would probably have got cured earlier. She was not aware of it but her body was giving signs and symptoms of cancer. 

“I took my life and health for granted, but one day cancer came to me as a lesson. However, I took it as a challenge. Now, I feel life is not a bed of roses and bad phase teaches you how to survive,” with a smiling face Manisha interacted with mediapersons after her session at the Jaipur Literature Festival (JLF) recently. 

“There will be highs and lows in everybody’s life, however, one should know that this is a difficult time and tomorrow shall be good phase,” Manisha replied to a question. 

Beginning her career with hit films like Saudagar and Ek Choti Si Love Story, Manisha has now turned an author with her book, titled Healed: How Cancer Gave Me A New Life, which encapsulates her journey of being diagnosed with ovarian cancer. 

“It was not easy for me to re-live the battle for the book. I have a habit of jotting down whenever I am in pain. My notes and my diary are all over my house. It is a habit which I have had since my childhood. But during the treatment, I was not even thinking of writing about my pain. I decided that I would be jotting down what was healing. So, anything that left a positive effect towards my healing process became a part of this very book,” Manisha said before the huge gathering of her fans and general audience. 

“I was searching about positive stories on cancer on Internet but I got disappointed. Later, I found Yuvraj Singh’s accounts and Lisa Ray’s The Yellow Diaries, who had baldness, swollen face because of chemo therapy and steroid...so I really thank these people and God that they had come out and posted pictures and spoken about their illness and struggle. It also opened the door to see the beautiful aspect of humanity. I could have gone into a shell because I was vscared, but with a little hope, I started experiencing that human beings are inherently kind and loving people who just need encouragement,” she said. Her ordeal changed her as a person. She has become kinder, gentler and has started enjoying every aspect of nature. Manisha says, “I am an honest and open-minded person who loves enjoying nature. I am proud to be a woman and peaceful warrior.” 

UNFPA’s Goodwill Ambassador Manisha called upon the fairer sex for the cause of women empowerment by not playing the ‘victim card’, but by becoming winners and peaceful warriors. 

About her future plans involving Bollywood, Manisha said, “I am enjoying basking in the sun, and would like to write more books.  I am an artist by heart. Acting is my passion and I will continue with it.”