Manisha Koirala recently spoke with deep emotion and admiration about legendary actress Nargis Dutt while attending the musical evening “Yaadon Ki Geetmala — Down Memory Lane”, hosted by Priya Dutt. Using heartfelt bytes, Manisha described Nargis as an eternal inspiration whose legacy goes far beyond cinema. Speaking about portraying Nargis in Sanju, Manisha said, “I mean, she's legendary. She has been an idol for everyone, from her beauty to her acting skills and her dignified personality. We are all her big, big fans, and I felt it was such a big honor for me to be able to play her character.”
Manisha also shared why she immediately accepted the invitation to attend the event, highlighting both emotional and humanitarian reasons. She said, “I feel absolutely honored that Priya Daji has called me, and I just said yes, I'm coming for sure, because firstly, it's for the legendary Nargis Daji's foundation. Secondly, Priyanta ji has been consistently doing some incredible work through this foundation, which I'm in awe of.” Emphasizing how meaningful the cause is, she added that supporting cancer patients through the foundation made her presence feel truly worthwhile.
Praising Priya Dutt’s commitment to social service, Manisha spoke about the importance of consistency and selflessness. She said, “It's commendable. Any work that you do consistently, year after year, is commendable. And this is a sense of service, that you're not getting anything in return, but still, you're serving, you're working for others.” She further added that Priya’s work inspires her personally, saying it sets an example of how one should dedicate themselves to helping others.
The event took place at the Nehru Centre Auditorium in Worli, Mumbai, on Friday, December 12, 2025, and was attended by several eminent personalities including Waheeda Rehman. The musical evening celebrated the timeless songs of Sunil and Nargis Dutt, while the net proceeds were dedicated to the Nargis Dutt Foundation’s charitable projects for underprivileged cancer patients. Through her words, Manisha Koirala not only paid tribute to a cinematic icon but also highlighted the enduring legacy of compassion and dignity that Nargis Dutt continues to represent.