Urmila Matondkar

Urmila shot to fame with Rangeela and that was a turning point in her career. After Rangeela she did lots of complex and mature characters in Satya, Kaun, Jungle, Pyar Tune Kya Kiya etc that catapulted her to be known as a versatile actress and has established her abilities beyond doubt. However Urmila is now going through a stagnant phase. She was last seen performing an item number in Company. Probably she has come to a point where potential filmmakers have no exhilarating roles to offer to her and she does not want insignificant roles. SeasonsIndia correspondent Sanyukta talks to Urmila about her future plans, her forthcoming movies and much much more.


Excerpts from the interview

Tell me Urmila why have you simply disappeared? Now a days you are no-where in the news and you have not given any releases also lately.
Well……I thought I needed a break. I have been working very hard with no breaks and there comes a time when you just want to sit back and relax. Work is always there but I thought that I am also entitled to some time for myself and my family.

Are you happy with the new films you are working on?
Yes. I'm happy with the few films I have on hand. Roles in films like Pinjar, Bhooth and Ek Haseena Thi are a challenge. And as the proverbial saying goes 'quality is better than quantity', I'm happy with these films.

So tell us about your role in Pinjar.
Well Pinjar deals with the story of India-Pakistan partition. It tells the story about two people for whom love just happens and for them religion ceases to exist. It is an adaptation of Hindi-Punjabi litterateur Amrita Pritam's novel. I play a simple village girl who goes through a series of traumatic experiences that change her life. The story is great and I am sure the audience will love it.

How is it working with Rekha in Ram Gopal Verma's 'Bhoot'?
She is splendid. Professional to the core and very sincere. You have so much to learn from her. I've worked with her earlier. I played her son (as a child artiste) in Govind Nihlani's Kalyug many years ago. Now I have taken a huge leap as her co-star. Her presence makes a lot of difference to Bhoot and I am very lucky to be a part of this film. In fact in this film I am working with all great stars like Rekha, Seema Biswas, Victor Banerjee, Ajay Devgan etc

They say 'Bhoot' is a copy of the Hollywood flick 'Ghost' and your new hairdo is actually inspired from the hairdo of Demi Moore?

What nonsense. Bhoot is not based on Ghost. And all those stories about my having snipped my hair short and lost weight for a more Demi Moorish look are hog wash.

Tell us about Ek Haseena Thi?
Well, this is actually my favourite of the current projects. In fact this is the most exciting film of my career. Debutant director Shreeram Raghavan is a very intelligent and intense person. I'm sure he'll make a very exciting film. I am playing the 'haseena' in the film and I am sure the audience will fall in love with me all over again.

It was reported that you are not in good terms with Saif Ali Khan your co-star in Ek Haseens Thi?
Who writes these things? Saif and I never had problems. In fact the 4-5 days that I have shot with him, he has been absolutely cooperative and friendly. Even earlier whenever I bumped into him he has always been very gentlemanly; always greeting me warmly and nicely. He is a very nice person. I don't know what made people think that we had problems.

How was it working with Ajay Devgan and Akshaye Khanna in Dewangee?
It was a great experience for me. And since I had earlier done films with Ajay Devgan and Akshaye Khanna I was absolutely comfortable with them. The script of Deewangee was very tight and it was a love story with a twist involving Ajay Devgan, Akshaye Khanna and me hence it was a challenge for all of us.

But Deewangee didn't do so well at the box office.
Well, what can I say. The audience is the best judge. We all have put in our best. I have realized that an actor is like a small fish in the pond; there are many factors on which a film's success and failure depends upon. I just do my best and leave the rest to God. There are situations beyond an artiste's control.

There are reports every where in the media about your fall out with director Ram Gopal Verma. What do you have to say?
I have no comments to make on this topic. The media can write whatever they wish to. I have nothing to say.

It has been reported that Shah Rukh Khan who has been cast in Ram Gopal's next project has agreed to work with him only if you are not dropped from the project. Is that true?
It is absolutely nonsense. And who Ramuji casts in his film is his decision. I have nothing more to say.

One last question - what are your future plans. What are your plans of marriage?
Well I don't plan anything. Marriage will happen when it has to happen. I respect the institution. I take each day as it comes. So when the time comes I'll be married. Right now I just want to work hard and concentrate in my work and be happy and contend with what I have and what I am.