Manisha Koirala turns 55: Revisiting her infamous clash with Aishwarya Rai over an alleged Love Triangle

Manisha Koirala, born on August 16, 1970, is one of Bollywood’s most celebrated actresses, admired for her grace and powerful performances in films like Bombay, Dil Se, and 1942: A Love Story. As she turns 55, we look back at one of the most infamous controversies of the 1990s, her reported clash with Aishwarya Rai Bachchan over a reported 'love triangle'.

The Spark of a Scandal

The ’90s were a decade when gossip, rivalries, and sensational headlines dominated Bollywood. Among the most talked-about was the alleged love triangle involving Manisha, Aishwarya, and model Rajeev Mulchandani.

Manisha, who was rumoured to be dating Rajeev at the time, allegedly accused him of being secretly involved with Aishwarya after reportedly finding 'love letters'. The story quickly snowballed into one of the industry’s most sensational controversies.

How Aishwarya Rai Reacted

In a throwback interview, Aishwarya spoke publicly about the issue. She revealed that she had admired Manisha’s acting in Bombay and had even planned to send her flowers in appreciation.

Aishwarya said, “I had just watched Bombay and thought Manisha was brilliant. I was even planning to send her a bouquet to congratulate her. On April 1st, Rajeev happened to call me, and I excitedly told him how much I admired Manisha’s performance. That’s when he laughed and asked if I had been reading the papers. He informed me that Manisha had claimed to have found love letters from him to me. I couldn’t believe it! It was a very rude shock.”

Aishwarya also questioned the timing of the allegations. She said, “If this was true, why didn’t this information come out in July ’94? If that was the reason for her split with Rajeev, why wait nine months to bring it up?”

Emotional Fallout

The incident took a heavy toll on the young Aishwarya, who admitted that the rumours left her deeply shaken. She was quoted as saying, “This Manisha episode really affected me a lot in the beginning. I cried like crazy. I was really hurt miserably by all that was happening around me.”

According to Aishwarya, Manisha later defended herself by claiming she had been 'misquoted'. Yet, the episode remains etched as one of Bollywood’s most controversial rivalries.

Manisha’s Lasting Legacy

Despite such controversies, Manisha Koirala went on to build an extraordinary career, starring in classics like Khamoshi and Dil Se. Beyond cinema, her remarkable resilience in overcoming personal challenges, including her battle with cancer, continues to inspire generations.