Urmila Matondkar

Urmila Matondkar Biography

Urmila Matondkar was born on 4th February 1974 in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. Her father was a lecturer.Matondkar was six years old when she started acting. Her first movie as a child actor was in Shyam Benegal’s Kalyug (1980). Her role as Pinky in Shekar Kapur’s Masoom was praised. She continued to act in movies like Dacait (1987), Zindagi (1987) and Bade Ghar Ki Beti (1989). 1991 to 1995 Urmila Matondkar’s debut as a lead actress was with Narasimha (1991). The movies that followed – Chamatkar (1992), Gaayam (1993), Aa Gale Lag Jaa (1994) - didn’t establish her as a strong actress. Her first hit was Ram Gopal Varma’s Rangeela (1995) as Mili, a struggling actress. She also got a more glamorous makeover with the help of designer Manish Malhotra. She was cast opposite experienced and successful stars like Aamir Khan and Jackie Shroff.1996 to 2000 With the success of Rangeela, her career picked up and she was seen with Kamla Hasan in Indian (1996) and Daud (1997). Ram Gopal Varma’s Satya (1998) was a critical success. She played a gangster’s unsuspecting girlfriend. In China Gate (1998) her dance number Chamma Chamma became extremely popular. While Mast (1999) saw her as an actress who falls in love with her fan, Kaun (1999) saw her as a psychotic woman. Both movies were directed by Ram Gopal Varma. 2001 to 2005 In Pyar Tune Kya Kiya (2001) she played Ria, a model who falls in love with a photographer who is married. She was seen in two songs in Lajja (2001) and Company (2002). In 2003, she played a woman possessed by a ghost in Ram Gopal Varma’s Bhoot, which also starred Ajay Devgan. Her performance won her the Filmfare Best Actress Award. Her performances in Tehzeeb (2003) and Pinjar (2003) were also appreciated. She also won the Bollywood Best Actress Award for her role as Anupam Kher’s daughter in Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Mara (2005).2006 to 2009 Matondkar was also seen in Banaras (2006), Bas Ek Pal (2006) and in the song Mehbooba in Ram Gopal Varma Ki Aag (2007) which was a remake of Sholay. In Karzzzz (2009) which starred Himesh Reshamiyya and was a remake of Karz, she played the role originally played by Simi Garewal. The movie was an average success.She will be lending her voice to Nikhil Advani’s Ab Dilli Door Nahin Hai, an animation.