It has become like a ritual for Manisha Koirala to develop some new frowns with every new release. Be it 'Ek badi si controversy' oops... 'Ek Chhotisi Love Story' or 'Tum', Manisha isn't happy the way her films are projected these days.
"Tum is not a hot film. When I saw the publicity in the main papers, I called up my producer to complain. It's just not right for me or the film," she exhorts.
"The packaging of a sensitive film like 'Tum' as sleazy makes me feel dirty. By projecting it as titillating, you're not only demeaning me and Aruna but you're undermining everyone's hard work too. It's really frustrating to think the audience is being invited to see sex instead of my performance," adds Koirala.
Agreed, but isn't it true that it was Manisha herself who agreed to do such sleazy films in the garb of arty cinema.
"Yes. People think they can compromise my reputation and get away with it," says Manisha, "I think 'Ek Chhotisi Love Story' has really damaged me. The director Shashilal Nair projected me as some kind of a porn star in his film. Would he do the same to his own daughter?"
No wonder the Nepali beauty has gone all cynical about her upcoming projects too.
Ask her about the lessons learnt and she says, "I think from now on I'll have it mentioned in my contracts that I'll do no love scenes. I'm happy with two flowers touching each other in a kissing scene."
