Dil To Pagal Hai, Biwi No. 1, and more: Films ‘Heeramandi’ star Manisha Koirala turned down

Manisha Koirala's mesmerizing turn as Mallikajaan in ‘Heeramandi’ is just another notch in her belt of brilliant performances. From melting hearts in ‘1942: A Love Story’ to stirring souls in ‘Dil Se..’ and ‘Bombay’, Koirala's talent is undeniable. But did you hear the news? Throughout her career, she passed on several blockbuster roles, only to watch them land in Karisma Kapoor's lap. So, which roles did Koirala let slip through her fingers? Let's spill the beans!

The role of Pooja in the comedy classic ‘Biwi No. 1’ was initially offered to several of Bollywood's top actresses, including Juhi Chawla, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Raveena Tandon, Pooja Bhatt, and Manisha Koirala. Despite the star-studded list of potential leads, it was Karisma Kapoor who ultimately landed the role, starring opposite Salman Khan. Kapoor's performance in the film was widely appreciated.

Manisha Koirala recently revealed she turned down the part of Nisha in the blockbuster ‘Dil To Pagal Hai’, a role that eventually went to Karisma Kapoor. The actress apparently had her doubts about the love triangle in the Yash Chopra directorial and dropped out of the project without listening to the script. This blockbuster musical featured SRK in the role of Rahul, Madhuri as his musy Maya and Karisma Kapoor as Nisha - his formidable dance partner.

Karisma Kapoor's memorable performance in ‘Raja Hindustani’ opposite Aamir Khan was so impactful that fans humorously suggested renaming the film ‘Rani Hindustani’. Before Kapoor landed the iconic role, director Dharmesh Darshan had approached several other top actresses. Among those who turned down the part were Juhi Chawla, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Pooja Bhatt, and Manisha Koirala, according to The Indian Express and Hindustan Times. Karisma Kapoor eventually took on the role and delivered a standout performance.

Karisma Kapoor's portrayal of Zubeidaa in the eponymous film stands out as one of her most impressive performances. According to India Today, before Kapoor was cast in the role opposite Manoj Bajpayee, acclaimed director Shyam Benegal had initially envisioned Manisha Koirala for the part. However, Koirala opted not to take on the role, which ultimately led Karishma Kapoor to step into the character's shoes. Koirala's decision to decline the role paved the way for Kapoor to deliver a performance that has since become iconic in Indian cinema.