Manisha Koirala to star in indie film Cowgirls & Indians

Veteran actor Manisha Koirala has been cast to lead the upcoming independent film ‘Cowgirls & Indians’. The project, written and directed by Tejal Desai, is an expansion of Desai’s award-winning short film ‘Cowboys and Hindus’.

Set in the American Southwest, the narrative follows Asha, a middle-aged Indian woman navigating her identity and forming unexpected friendships in Texas. The film aims to explore themes of cultural displacement, resilience, and the intersection of South Asian heritage with American grit.

Filming is scheduled to begin in November around Austin, Texas. Producer Kirtana Banskota noted that Texas offers advantages for the production, including new incentives and local talent. Koirala, whose career spans 35 years including notable works such as ‘Dil Se’ and the Netflix series ‘Heeramandi’, expressed interest in the script’s potential to cross cultural boundaries and provide meaningful roles for women of her age.