When Manisha Koirala was called 'a terrible actress' by 12th Fail director Vidhu Vinod Chopra

1942 A Love Story, the 1994 film by Vidhu Vinod Chopra has earned its cult status in Hindi cinema history mostly because of its eternal soundtrack. However, the film also established Manisha Koirala as a prominent actress to look forward to. While the actress had made her debut with the 1991 Subhash Film Saudagar, it was with 1942 A Love Story that the industry began to take her seriously as a performer. However, Manisha Koirala’s audition process for 1942 A Love Story was a tough task.

It was unacceptable to me, Koirala said about Chopra's initial criticism of her

In new autobiography Healing, Koirala recalled Vidhu Vinod Chopra dismissing her as ‘a terrible actress’ after watching her audition. Koirala stated in her book, “This was unacceptable to me.” At the same time, Koirala recalled feeling that the warrior woman inside her her awakened due to this. That was when Koirala requested Chopra to give her twenty-four hours for a second chance. Koirala added in her autobiography, “I practised my lines passionately, over and over again, until my mother became distressed at my state,” she writes.

Koirala further recalled how her mother became very worried to see her daughter stress so much over a film audition, saying, “What are you doing to yourself? It’s okay if you don’t get this movie. Don’t kill yourself over it.”

You are at hundred today: Chopra said to Koirala on her re-audition

However, Manisha was determined to get the part, and regave her audition for Vidhu Vinod Chopra the next day with a suitable gusto. After her re-audition, Koirala recalls Chopra saying to her, “If this is the heart and soul that you promise to put into each scene of my movie, I will sign you up instead of Madhuri Dixit. Manisha, yesterday, you were at zero. You are at a hundred today.”

Manisha Koirala’s beauty added a whole new layer to the grace and serenity of the 1942 A Love Story, particularly to the dreamy song sequences like Ek Ladki Ko Dekha, Kuch Na Kaho and Pyar Hua Chupke Se. And in coming years, with films like Bombay, Dil Se, and Khamoshi, Koirala truly lived up to the promises of being one of the most talented actors of her generation.