Manisha Koirala feels she's made peace with not becoming a mother after cancer battle

Bollywood actress Manisha Koirala, who recently made a comeback with Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar, revealed in an interview that she had made peace with not embracing motherhood after her battle with ovarian cancer.

The actress said that as you grow older, you accept reality and you realise that you cannot fulfil all your dreams. Speaking to NDTV, she shared, "There are, somewhere, unfinished things in my life. As you grow older, you accept your reality. There are so many dreams that you realise are not going to happen, and you make peace with that. Motherhood is one of them. It was tough getting ovarian cancer and not being able to be a mother. But I made peace with that. And I said jo gaya so gaya (what's gone is in the past), and let me do my best with what I have."

When asked if she would consider adoption, the actress said, "I thought a lot about adoption. I realised I get stressed out very quickly, I get anxiety very quickly. So after a lot of debate, I made peace with that. That I'd rather be a godmother. So, I must make do with what I have. What I have is ageing parents, whom I love. I'm the apple of their eye, I'm the centre of their universe, and I'm going to cherish that. In fact, I fly back to Kathmandu (Nepal, hometown) more often now and spend time with them. And I love that."

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For those unaware, the actress was diagnosed with stage IV ovarian cancer in 2012. After receiving treatment in New York, she recovered in 2014.

Manisha took to Instagram before Heeramandi's release and penned a note of gratitude for having a second chance in life. "I have a lot to be grateful for in life... a career that saw a lot of high moments, significant roles, best directors, and friendships that have stood the test of time... and it is with God's grace that I have been given a second life after battling cancer. I have also seen the lowest depths in life and took many wrong turns. Life has been a good teacher with all its highs and lows, and I understand the value of time more intensely now. Yesterday was exhilarating and traumatic, but today is serene and peaceful," she wrote.

Manisha plays the role of Mallikajaan in Heeramandi. The series also stars Sonakshi Sinha, Aditi Rao Hydari, Richa Chadha, Sanjeeda Sheikh, Sharmin Segal Mehta, and Taha Shah Badussha.