Manisha Koirala On Cancer Affecting Her Motherhood Plans And Not Choosing Adoption: 'I get Stressed'

Manisha Koirala is currently enjoying the success of her recently released show, Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar. In a recent interview, the actress opened up about her battle with ovarian cancer and also shared how she has made peace with the fact that she won’t be able to become a mother.

In an interview with NDTV, the actress shared that embracing motherhood felt tough after serving her battle with cancer. She said that she has made the choice to become a godmother instead. She shared, “There are, somewhere, unfinished things in my life. As you grow older, you accept your reality. There are so many dreams that you realise are not going to happen, and you make peace with that. Motherhood is one of them. It was tough getting ovarian cancer and not being able to be a mother. But I made peace with that. And I said, Jo gaya so gaya (what’s gone is in the past), and let me do my best with what I have.”

The actress also shared why she didn’t choose the path of adoption. “I thought a lot about adoption. I realised I get stressed out very quickly, and I get anxiety very quickly. So after a lot of debate, I made peace with that. That I’d rather be a godmother. So, I must make do with what I have. What I have is ageing parents, whom I love. I’m the apple of their eye, I’m the centre of their universe, and I’m going to cherish that. In fact, I fly back to Kathmandu (Nepal, hometown) more often now and spend time with them. And I love that,” she shared.

Manisha Koirala was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2012 from which she recovered in mid-2014. Recently, Manisha also took to her Instagram handle to shared a picture with her Heeramandi co-stars when she also penned down a long note opening up about her cancer journey. “I have a lot to be grateful for in life… a career that saw a lot of high moments, significant roles, best directors, and friendships that have stood the test of time… and it is with God’s grace that I have been given a second life after battling cancer. I have also seen the lowest depths in life and took many wrong turns. Life has been a good teacher with all its highs and lows, and I understand the value of time more intensely now,” she wrote.

“Yesterday was exhilarating and traumatic, but today is serene and peaceful. The best phase of my life… my days are all about spending time with my parents, who are ageing, exploring nature trails in Nepal, tending to my beautiful garden, looking after my furbabies, surrendering to my spiritual practices, and maybe doing maybe one film once in a long while. I no longer want all the best movies or city life. I chose to work only with people whose work I respect, and that’s why when the call came from SLB, I knew it was something worth leaving my serene world back for a short time,” she added.

Besides Manisha, Heeramandi also stars Sonakshi Sinha, Richa Chadha, Sanjeeda Shaikh, Aditi Rao Hydari, Sharmin Segal Mehta, Farida Jalal, Fardeen Khan, Jason Shah, Shekhar Suman and Adhyayan Suman in key roles. It is currently streaming on Netflix.