By Jagmohan Singh Barhok

‘घूँघट में चाँद होगा, आँचल में चाँदनी
चुपके से देखेगी साजन को सजनी
हाँ, घूँघट में चाँद होगा, आँचल में चाँदनी
चुपके से देखेगी साजन को सजनी’

Urmila Matondkar tasted stardom with Ram Gopal Varma’s “Rangeela” in 1995 starring Aamir Khan and Jackie Shroff . She enamored the cine audiences with her sensuous hip swaying , in the popular ‘Rangeela’ number, to win a million hearts. Thereafter she came to be known as “Rangeela ” girl .The film’s grand success further added to her popularity as it grossed over 33 crore worldwide against a moderate budget of over rupees 4 crore.

The child star of Shyam Benegal’s 1981 crime-drama ” Kalyug” had now grown into an enticing beauty. She made her presence felt in N. Chandra’s “Narsimha” in 1991 as a slim-trim teenager making waves . Sridevi-Jeetendra starrer ” Judaai” (1997) and “Khoobsurat” (1999), followed by David Dhawan’s “Kunwara” (2000) opposite Govinda , paved way for her success in the tinsel town.

Urmila won Filmfare Critics’ Choice Award for her role in Ram Gopal Varma’s “Satya” (1998), another of her best films. It received critical acclaim and was declared a Blockbuster. Was bestowed upon the prestigious Nandi Award For Best Supporting Actress in “Gaayam” (meaning- The Wound), a political-thriller starring Jagapathi Babu and Revathi.

Urmila Matondkar, the slim trim cutie , made her screen debut in B.R. Chopra’s Rajesh Khanna starrer “Karm”(1977) followed by roles in ‘Kalyug’ (1980) & ‘Masoom’ (1983) as a child artist, maturing into a well chiselled & shapely dame. She represented Indian National Congress, albeit brief, later joining Shiv Sena in 2020. ‘Deewane’ (2000), ‘Dewaangee’ (2002), ‘Ek Hasina Thi’ (2004), ‘Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Mara’ (2005) include some of her other films. Also did cameos in some films towards the end of her career like ‘Om Shanti Om'(2007) & ‘Blackamail’ (2018). Also featured in TV serials “Katha Sagar” (1986) Zindagi (1987) & as Judge in Jhalak Dikhla Jaa S.2 (2007).Won several accolades inclding Filmfare Best Actress (Critics) Award for her performance in “Bhoot”, another Ram Gopal Varma’s film, also starring Ajay Devgan, Rekha & Nana Patekar.

याई रे याई रे मिलके धूम मचाई रे
चल मेरे संग संग लेले दुनिया के रंग
होजा रंगीला रे, रंग रंग रंगीला रे

I met the actress on the sets of ” Chamatkaar”, the same day I had earlier interviewed another Tamil actress Varsha Usgaonkar in 1992. Married to Mohsin Akhtar, Urmila was born this day in 1974.