In her 50s, Manisha Koirala no longer relies on the "navel show" aesthetic that defined her youth. Instead, she has evolved into a style icon for older women. Given her health history (including multiple surgeries), her choice to wear sarees today is a bold statement of reclaiming her body.

Her portrayal of Rajeshwari Pathak, the ethereal "Rajjo," became a hallmark of cinematic grace.

During the peak of her career, photographers and filmmakers highlighted Manisha’s fit, toned midriff not for cheap sensationalism, but as an extension of her character’s purity and sensuality. In songs like "Kehna Hi Kya" from Bombay , the camera pans over her silhouette as she dresses in a traditional Tamil style. The visibility of her in these scenes became an iconic visual metaphor for vulnerability and grace.

Her memoir, Healed: How Cancer Gave Me a New Life , is a bestseller. Today, Manisha’s lifestyle is the antithesis of the party girl. She gardens in Nepal, practices holistic health, and advocates for mental health.