Hers has been a long disappearance from the silver screen since films like 'Lajja' and 'Escape from Taliban', won for this Nepali beauty a lot of accolades in film circles for her realistic portrayals.

After a long hiatus from films, Manisha Koirala, the actress who gave a tough competition to Madhuri Dixit in the 90s with her stunning looks and her natural screen presence, will be seen in another realistic portrayal of a woman experiencing a dysfunctional or troubled relationship in 'Sirf- Life looks Greener on the other side'.

'Sirf-Life looks Greener on the Other side', which is slated for release all over India today, looks at marital relationships between four couples belonging to different levels and strata of society.

Coming close on the heels of 'Just Married', 'Salaam-e-Ishq', 'Honeymoon Travels Pvt ltd' and 'Life In a Metro', 'Sirf-Life Looks Greener on the Other ' may seem just like another piece of real life cinema, something which Manisha has been doing over the last decade but the doe - eyed actress insists that 'Sirf....' is a completely mainstream film.

'Sirf is very much a mainstream cinema, with songs, comic situations and a popular storyline. All in all, it is a good entertainer,'' Manisha told on the eve of release of the film.

Admitting that the last decade has seen her more in closer-to-life' cinema and portrayals rather that those involving the song and dance routine, Manisha said,''doing realistic roles and films was not a conscious of part to move away from the song and dance routine.

Of course, I want to do roles and films involving song and dance.

It just happened that some where in the course of my film career, I started getting roles in realistic films like 'Khamoshi', 'Lajja' and 'Escape to Taliban'.

And, yes, I am enjoying doing such roles right now.'' Talking about her role in 'Sirf...', where she is cast opposite Kay Kay Menon as one of the couples along with Ankur Khanna and Nauheed Cyrusi, Sonali Kulkarni and Ranveer Shourey, and Praveen Dabas and Rituparno Sengupta, Manisha said,''I play the character of Devika who is married to Kay kay.

She owns an ad agency. My character is very lonely in the film as her husband is too busy in his work.

At the same time, she is very strong and composed when the odds are totally against her. She is sympathetic and understanding too.'' Presented by the corporate house Pyramid Saimira, 'Sirf..' marks the directorial debut of Raajatesh Nair, former assistant to Raj Kumar Santoshi.

''I have worked with Raajatesh during 'Lajja'. He is a very good and clear cut director, very clear about what he wants. Although he is trained under Raj Kumar Santoshi, his style of filmmaking is very different.

I think 'Sirf..' is closer to 'Life In a Metro' than any film made by Santoshi,''the actress said.

She is all praises for the acting abilities of her co-star Kay Kay.

''Kay Kay an is extremely strong but subtle artist. As an actor he is absolutely brilliant. He can enact the most intense scene without any 'nautanki' and loud histrionics,''she said.

On her long hiatus from films, Manisha said she was associated with a 'oneness university' in Chennai, which got her hooked onto Yoga.

''I got hooked onto Yoga during my association with this wonderful place called the oneness university in Chennai. That is a beautiful place and what I have learnt there turned me into a seeker.

All my questions have been answered. I am happy to have gone there,''she said.

Among her future projects is a film called 'Chehra'.

''Chehra is on the floor. In this film I play a complete Diva,''Manisha says.

The Nepalese beauty is also in talks with some foreign production houses for roles in International projects.

''I am in talks with makers of various international projects.

However, I am very careful and will take up any project after due care,''she said.

Asked whether, like many of the actors in tinsel town, she had any plans of turning into a director, Manisha said,''I do want to direct films. But right now, my priorities are diferrent.

Maybe in an year or two, I will start direction too. Right now, I am quite happy being just an actor. Believe me, being an actor is the most blessed position because they are the most pampered lot.''