Manisha Koirala has finally returned to Bollywood after years. The 46-year-old actress who went through quite a lot in last few years made her big screen comeback with Dear Maya that released in India on Friday. It’s sad that the film didn’t release in Nepal .
The film directed by Sunaina Bhatnagar has been getting positive reviews from the critics, especially for Koirala’s performance, some even claiming it to be one of her finest performances.
This is what some of the renowned critics and portals wrote about her.
“It is good to have Manisha Koirala back. She is not scared to present an unvarnished, weathered face: there’s a lovely scene in which she tastes something for the first time, and smiles. She lights up. It’s a moment.
She is like Madhuri, Sridevi, Deepti Naval, a seasoned performer, capable of carrying a film, and adding substantively to it.”
– Subhra Gupta, The Indian Express
“Manisha shines throughout. She appears as a recluse with a dagger dangling from her waist and morphs gradually into a confident woman in a red sari enjoying life. She makes the emotions come alive.”
– Sweta Kaushal, Hindustan Times
“Manisha Koirala plays the wilting flower with heartbreaking integrity. She is a feast for the senses. This film is remarkable for how capably it uses this actress’s beauty and the feast.”
– The Economic Times
“Manisha Koirala makes a stunning comeback with the film! In the first half, she sports a deglam look and nails it. She looks aged, ugly and is almost unrecognizable. In the second half we get to see Manisha in her beautiful avatar. Right from Maya Devi’s body language to expressions, Manisha delivers a brilliant and realistic performance.”
– Ahana Bhattacharya, KoiMoi
“The first half of Dear Maya is dominated entirely by Manisha Koirala. Playing her first screen role in years, she clearly hasn’t lost her natural skills. She is in fine form as she conveys the crushing solitude of a woman who appears to have lost her zeal for life.”
– Saibal Chatterjee, NDTV
“Manisha Koirala’s performance in Dear Maya is wonderful as she changes from a caged and lonely woman to someone willing to take a chance on life.”
– Udita Jhunjhuwala, Firstpost
“Manisha Koirala has always been a phenomenal actress but the ease with which she lets the camera capture her laugh lines and wrinkles adds to the beauty of her performance.”
– Stutee Ghosh, The Quint
“Manisha Koirala is the reason why Dear Maya keeps you invested till the right frame. From her dark circles, pale glares to her thirst for some hope, she brings Maya to life with her heart-wrenching performance.”
– FilmiBeat
These are just some of many positive reviews that Manisha Koirala has been receiving for her brilliant performance in the film that also stars Madiha Imam and Shreya Chaudhary.
The 90s queen who has worked with almost all the topmost actors and filmmakers in her career has a number of ‘superstar’ friends, one of them being Shahrukh Khan with whom she had worked in ‘Dil Se’. The actor, on Friday, took to his Twitter handle to request his fans to go and watch the film.
My friend @mkoirala new film Dear Maya is out today. She is so beautiful in more ways than anyone can imagine…do go and see her film please.
— Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) June 3, 2017
“My friend @mkoirala new film Dear Maya is out today. She is so beautiful in more ways than anyone can imagine…do go and see her film please”, he wrote.
Koirala is also an important part of one of the most anticipated Bollywood films of the year, the Sanjay Dutt biopic, that has Ranbir Kapoor playing the lead.
We’re thrilled to have her back and we wish her every success. Watch the trailer of Dear Maya here.
