There is constant learning and unlearning for actors: Manisha Koirala

With time and kind of roles that she is being offered w, actor Manisha Koirala believes she has changed from being spontaneous to methodical in her approach towards acting.

actor, one of most popular faces in 1990s and 2000s films such as "Bombay", "Khamoshi", "Dil Se", says she is enjoying doing something new with characters is playing today.

" roles that I used to do earlier didn't require me to have specific skills or way of doing role. Today, roles that I am doing require me to do that so I want to put in that extra hour, extra effort."I feel when you are challenged, you push your boundaries and you try to excel in that direction. I love this whole thing of becoming a method actor from a spontaneous actor. And if I can bring in spontaneity and method toger that will be great. I love harnessing my skills, I love pushing boundaries," Manisha told PTI in an interview here.

Due to changing styles of storytelling, 49-year-old actor believes artists should always be open to any kind of challenge that is thrown at m."re is constant learning and unlearning that happens if you want to grow as an actor," she said.

Having changed her process and style of acting, Manisha said, she feels happy when people appreciate efforts an actor puts in building a character. "If people appreciate your work, it is a pat on your back. If I get appreciated, I feel happy and grateful. As artistes, be it a writer or director or painter or actor, our work depends on wher it has moved audience or t, when it happens, you feel thrilled."

actor's role in 2018 Netflix anthology "Lust Stories" was critically lauded and w she stars in ar film from streamer, "Maska". She is reuniting with director Dibakar Banerjee for ar Netflix project, "Freedom".

"I am a hungry actor and I am constantly trying to become better. At some point, I am happy I am getting opportunities to do something that is helping me grow," she added.

She said jump from films to streaming wasn't a planned move."I have never been a planning kind of person. From 80 to 90 films that I have acted in, re are about 10 to 15, where I have worked with good directors where I have been given good roles but that is t always possible. Whatever came to me, I tried my best," she said.

Asked about equal opportunities for women, actor said film industry has always been a male-dominated as heroes tend to bring in money.

"If you have a big hero, people are willing to put in money, this is a fact. When we talk about equality, I feel we have a long way to go, we haven't arrived yet. But momentum has started."

re are more women working in different departments of filmmaking, which was t case in past, she said.

"So times are changing slowly. Women are taking centre st. But to think we have arrived is also delusional. We have a long way to go. We have to strive to get equal standing and respect," she said.