Can the fear of death empower you? Manisha Koirala shows us how it can

Actress Manisha Koirala, survivor of ovarian cancer, tells us that it is in your worst moments that you find your greatest strength.

What would you do, if you were told that you don t have much time to live? Cower in fear thinking about your impending death or face your fear head on and turn your fate into a positive, life-altering experience? Imagining one s own death is probably the biggest fear one would ever face. But it takes real strength to turn a frightening issue like impending death into your greatest strength.

When Manisha Koirala, the star of hit films like Khamoshi, Dil Se and Bombay, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, she felt her whole world imploding. But not even one of the most aggressive forms of cancer could break the break the feisty actress spirit. In her soul-baring interview with Rajeev Masand, Manisha reveals how she stared death back in the eyes and turned this scary phase into one of the most enlightening lessons of her life.

Bollywood in the 90s was mesmerised by the beautiful and talented Manisha Koirala who was known for portraying vulnerable characters battling complex situations in life with tremendous mental strength and patience, especially in Khamoshi. Marked by many upheavals like failed relationships and a waning career, Manisha s real life hasn t been any different from the films she acted in. And her problems precipitated in 2012 when she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer.

But like most characters she has portrayed, Manisha wasn t the one to take it lying down. Cut to 2017, she has kicked cancer to the kerb and is on her way to reclaiming her career she put on pause because of her ailment. She has two films lined up: Sunaina Bhatnagar s Dear Maya and the untitled Sanjay Dutt Biopic in which she will portray Nargis Dutt.

Is it easy imagining one s own death?

We already know the answer to this question; it will never be easy. All your hopes and aspiration are snuffed out, and living becomes a pointless exercise. Self-preservation is, after all, one of the greatest motivators for living beings. Manisha reveals to Masand that she was no different, Illness and disease make you feel very lonely. Facing death and not knowing how long I whether I had time or not. Every time the doctors would remind me that they were not sure how long I would live, made me believe I didn t have much time. The whole phase, it was scary and lonely.

Turning the tables on fate

While it is unimaginably frightening to face the prospects of dying, knowing that you have limited time on earth is strangely very empowering. It gives you enough courage to let your guard down and live life like you always wanted to. In the face of death, money and society are the last things you would worry about. For Manisha, the fight with the disease was long and arduous, but in her own words it was one hell of a ride. When it comes taking lessons from adversity, Manisha takes the cake!

I learnt so much! It was a 360-degree turn over for me. I started valuing my life, my relationships and my work. There was a time when i grew complacent. I was a workaholic, and there wasn t too much of growth or maturity. It made me see life from a different perspective.

In hindsight today, it was a huge gift. It compelled me to study about my life. It made me think what was important and where did I go wrong? All those things, all that introspection came because of that.

It s perhaps her positive attitude and her zest for life that gave her tremendous strength to face her fears head on! Five years later, Manisha is back in the game, and she s more spirited than ever!

Giving it back

When you are touched by something so profound and life-altering, you want to share the experience with everyone you know. The otherwise reclusive and low-key Manisha is now a motivational speaker. She shares her experience, creating awareness about cancer and telling people how they could battle cancer. In the truest sense of the term, she is giving it back to the society. Manisha surely gives us life goals!