Manisha Koirala reveals she was warned against doing Mani Ratnam’s Bombay: ‘If you play 2 bachchon ki maa, you’ll never get heroine roles again’

Meeting director Mani Ratnam solidified her decision to be part of the project. “When I met Mani sir, I was captivated by his intellect, humility, and creative hunger. I was also drawn to the film’s message about unity and coming together as one family. During my look test, I realized he was creating something different,” she shared.

In an earlier interview with India Today, Manisha had reflected on how working with Ratnam helped her grow as an actor. “I grew so much working with Mani Sir. The way he took shots, the way he experimented, he is a maestro. I was so grateful to Ashok Ji for scolding me and putting me on the right path,” she said.

Bombay dealt with the sensitive issue of interfaith marriage against the backdrop of the 1992-93 Bombay riots, following the Babri Masjid demolition. Despite some controversies due to its sensitive subject, the film was widely acclaimed and left an impact over the years.