When we watch films, we unknowingly fall in love with the characters, which also makes us fall in love with them as a person. We become happy when we hear something good happening to them and we become equally sad when we hear sadness befalling them. In the similar lines, our world too came crashing down when we heard the news of ‘Big C’ invading the life of our favourite celebrities, one of them being, Manisha Koirala. (Do Read: Sheena Bajaj Shows-Off Some Post-Wedding Swag As A Newly-Wed Marwari Bride With Hubby Rohit Purohit)
Manisha was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2012. Though she is completely cured of the deadly disease now, you will mostly find the Dil Se actress spreading awareness about cancer and openly talking about it. Proud author of her first book, Healed, the actress shared a lot of insights about her battle with cancer and how she came out it.
At the Jaipur Literature Festival, Manisha shared she had once accepted the fact that she might not be able to live life again and stated, “I had to make peace with my death. I made a promise to myself that if I get to live again I will spread awareness about cancer. It is the perception towards the problem that matters. You can take it as a challenge or see it as something that you cannot overcome”. She also shared, “The thought of death is the first thing that comes to mind when a person is diagnosed with cancer. I was utterly shocked when I came to know about the disease. It was the loneliest night. Even a familiar journey from Kathmandu to Mumbai which I had taken umpteen times felt so different.”
What motivated her to write a book upon healing from cancer? She shared, “When I was sick, I was searching for positive stories. I could not get many stories, except the success story of (actor) Lisa Ray and (cricketer) Yuvraj Singh, who came out fighting successfully with cancer. So I decided that when I recover, I will share my stories with people. I also believe that sharing helps lower the burden from your head and heart. Hence, I wrote the book.” (Also Read: Deepika Padukone's Unseen Pictures From Her Therapist, Anna Chandy's Daughter's Wedding)
Manisha also made some shocking revelations as to why she thought cancer happened to her, “I took my life for granted. I neglected my health, that is why cancer came to me as a teacher, it came to me as a lesson. I value my life more now, love my family, value my health because I realised if one is not healthy, one cannot enjoy any aspect of living.”
Manisha had also once, expressed in details about the dying and cancer and stated in 2014, “There are two ways to recover: healthy diet and exercise. You have to revive yourself physically and mentally. I have been doing meditation courses with Oneness University for seven years now. In hindsight, it was preparing me to deal with what I endured in a calmer way. During the period, my mother, brother and dad [Prakash], helped me as they too believe in meditation and deep breathing. Namannji, my guru from Oneness, was always available on Skype. He told me to detach myself from fear. He'd ask, 'What are you scared about?' I said, 'Dying'. He asked, 'What is it like dying?' I replied, 'I don't know.' 'Then why are you scared of something that you don't know?' That made sense to me. He asked me to observe my mind and thoughts.”
In a recent interview with Hindustan Times, the Sanju actress shared about how cancer changed her as a person. She was quoted as saying, “Cancer makes you realise that you will be dead one day. It’s so common seeing people dying and falling sick but we aren’t really ever able to comprehend it ourselves. The realisation that I am here for a certain period of time and will be gone after that made me value my time and life.”
And further added, “I was spending so much money and there was so much pain and struggle to become healthy and my family was in a lot of pain and agony. When you’re sick you actually realize how important health is. I deciding that I will be grateful for whatever I get in this life, give my best to whatever I take on and be light-hearted but at the same time be committed.” (Must Read: Sania Mirza Posts An Adorable Picture With Son Izhaan Mirza Malik, B-Town Friends Can't Keep Calm)
Manisha has been unlucky in love in the past couple of times. Is she open to relationships now? The 48-year-old actress-cum-author shared, “I’ll be very careful about what kind of energy I’m inviting into my life and whether it’s going to be helpful for me or help me evolve as a person. And if I feel that it’ll be too much hard work then I would prefer to be in my own space.”
Manisha, we are so happy to see you emerge out stronger! We wish you an eternity of strength and happiness.