Nana Patekar-Manisha Koirala’s relationship rumours were revisited by Agni Sakshi writer Ranbir PushpHe said, ‘Sunne mein aayi, papers mein yeh baatein aayi, padhne ko bhi mila’.
Published: September 16, 2026, 7:45 PM IST
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Nana Patekar-Manisha Koirala’s bond in Agni Sakshi (PC-YouTube)
The equation between Nana Patekar and Manisha Koirala has often been discussed in connection with their 1996 film Agni Sakshi. Years later, writer Ranbir Pushp has shared what he remembers about the two actors from the sets. In a recent interview with Siddharth Kannan, Ranbir said Nana and Manisha were close and had a good understanding while working togetherHowever, he said he never personally saw their bond as a romantic relationship.
What Ranbir Pushp said about Nana Patekar and Manisha Koirala
Talking about the two actors, Ranbir said, “Haan yeh hua hai, ab isko romance kahe ya dosti, that God knowsBut dono kareeb theAapas mein understanding thiScenes discuss karke karte the aur performance screen pe nazar aati thi. (Yes, this did happenNow whether you call it romance or friendship, only God knowsBut the two were closeThere was understanding between themThey would discuss the scenes before performing, and that showed on screen).”
When asked if their friendship was deep, Ranbir replied, “Bilkul thi (Absolutely).”
The conversation then moved to the long-standing speculation about whether Nana and Manisha shared a relationship beyond friendship.
Ranbir said, “Nahi, kabhi nahiMain ne uss tareeqe se kabhi socha nahiDosti aur understanding thiAur scenes discuss karte theIsse zyaada khayal bhi nahi aaya mujhe kabhiBaad mein sunne mein aayi, papers mein yeh baatein aayi, padhne ko bhi mila, par main ne kabhi observe nahi kiya(No, neverI never thought of it that wayThere was friendship and understandingThey would discuss the scenes togetherBeyond that, the thought never even crossed my mindLater I heard about it, these things came up in the papers, I even read them, but I never observed it myself.)”
Ranbir also said that he was mostly concerned with his own work on the sets and did not pay much attention to the actors’ personal equation. “Zyaada mera kaam se matlab hota thaMera scene diya, chala gaya, aa gayaThodi der rukey, shooting dekhi. (Mostly, I was focused on my workI would give my scene, leave, and then come backI stayed for a little while, watched the shooting.)”
About Agni Sakshi
Directed by Partho Ghosh, Agni Sakshi was released in 1996The psychological thriller featured Jackie Shroff, Manisha Koirala and Nana Patekar in the lead roles.
Rumours about Nana and Manisha’s alleged relationship have continued over the yearsHowever, Ranbir’s comments are based on what he personally saw while working on the filmHe said he noticed their closeness and understanding but did not personally witness anything that made him view their relationship as romantic.
