Close X
Saturday, January 11, 2025
ADVT 
Bollywood

Meet Urmila Matondkar The Politician

Darpan News Desk IANS, 01 Apr, 2019 09:12 PM

    Whenever I think of Urmila Matondkar, I think of a lot of warm food and conversation. Urmila talks a lot. If you know her, you'd know what 'nineteen to the dozen' means. She is a one-woman entertainment industry in the living room if she warms up to you. Or else, she freezes you out of her life.


    I can't say I am totally surprised by her move into politics. Urmila has always been an adventurous soul, and never afraid to speak her mind.


    At the same time, she can be killingly diplomatic when the need arises. In brief, the consummate politician. What I like the most in her personality is her firmness of resolve.She is well-informed about current affairs. And if she is half as enterprising in politics as she was in her choice of films (from "Kaun" to "Pinjar" to "Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Mara") she would make a huge impact in politics.


    Anupam Kher, who directed Urmila in his only directorial venture - "Om Jai Jagdish' - and also played her father in one of his finest films, "Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Mara", talks fondly of Urmila's inner drive to excel at whatever she does. Half-measures don't work for Urmila. I've seen her fierce dedication at getting it right from the time she came in.



    Like Sridevi, Urmila's debut film as a leading lady in Hindi ("Aa Gale Lag Jaa") was a disaster. Like Sridevi, Urmila was re-launched and the rest is history. On September 8, 1995 at 12.05 noon, a star was born. It was like a war chant. The minute Urmila Matondkar screamed "Yaeee re, yaeee re, zor lagake nachee re" in her micro-mini Manish Malhotra outfit that left EVERYTHING to the imagination, she was a certifiable star.


    I remember Ram Gopal Varma telling me Urmila's stardom had nothing to do with him. "When people say I made Urmila's career in 'Rangeela', I completely disagree. I am the same guy who earlier made 'Drohi' with Urmila. What happened to that? For any actor, success is a question of getting the right opportunity. Then everything falls into place. During 'Drohi', the choreographer didn't turn up for a song. So I asked Urmila if she would dance on her own and she agreed. And she did a great job. That's when I decided to make 'Rangeela' with Urmila."


    Urmila's career shows her to be constantly making brave choices. She isn't afraid of taking risks. She may stumble and fall while taking the ragged route but she doesn't let the fear of failing and falling stop her from being adventurous.


    Shabana Azmi, a dear friend to both Urmila and me, recalls her enthusiasm even as a child artiste in Shekhar Kapoor's "Masoom", describing Urmila as a born star.


    Above all, Urmila is an entertainer. She can take centrestage effortlessly. Unlike Hema Malini, who had to coax herself out of her shyness to become a politician, Urmila is comfortable with crowds.


    I remember her walking into the premiere of Kamal Haasan's "Abhay" many many years ago in Mumbai. The flashbulbs went berserk. Urmila posed preened pouted and then rushed towards me as the cameras continued to click, not the least self-conscious about greeting a friend while the photographers were clicking.


    I knew some day she will captivate crowds on a far larger scale than the entertainment industry allows. The moment has come now.

    MORE Bollywood ARTICLES

    'Cutie No. 1, Husband No. 1...:' Deepika Padukone Just Wins Hearts (Again) With Her Comment On Husband Ranveer Singh's Post

    Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh’s PDA continues. The Chhapaak actor’s comment on husband Ranveer’s latest cover photo for a magazine will take you by surprise.  

    'Cutie No. 1, Husband No. 1...:' Deepika Padukone Just Wins Hearts (Again) With Her Comment On Husband Ranveer Singh's Post

    Kevin Jonas' Daughter Was Reluctant To Share Nick With Priyanka

    Kevin Jonas' Daughter Was Reluctant To Share Nick With Priyanka
    Actress Priyanka Chopra's brother-in-law Kevin Jonas says his daughter Valentina did not approve of Priyanka's presence in Nick Jonas' life easily.

    Kevin Jonas' Daughter Was Reluctant To Share Nick With Priyanka

    Akshay Kumar Is On Fire, Announces His First Web Series 'The End' In Style

    Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar will make his digital debut with an edge-of-the seat thriller series, whose working title is "The End".

    Akshay Kumar Is On Fire, Announces His First Web Series 'The End' In Style

    Trailer Review: 'Romeo Akbar Walter' Looks Like A Film Made After Pulwama But It Is Not

    John looks all clenched-jawed and determined. His only condition? Please look after my Ammi, no matter what happens.

    Trailer Review: 'Romeo Akbar Walter' Looks Like A Film Made After Pulwama But It Is Not

    Varun Dhawan Takes Part In Twerking Dance-Off With Nora Fatehi. Watch Who Won

    The two actors are currently shooting in London for the upcoming film. And Varun sportingly took up the challenge to beat dance sensation Norah in twerking.

    Varun Dhawan Takes Part In Twerking Dance-Off With Nora Fatehi. Watch Who Won

    A Jonas Brothers Documentary Is Coming To Amazon Prime Video

    Days after their reunion, Jonas Brothers are teaming up with Amazon Studios for a documentary.

    A Jonas Brothers Documentary Is Coming To Amazon Prime Video