In Ludhiana, actress Urmila Matondkar impressed one and all with her bubby persona

The charm of ‘Rangeela’ girl Urmila Matondkar remains the same, as it was when this film was shot in 1995. Clad in a red colour suit with a green dupatta, Urmila mesmerised the women of Ludhiana with her poise during an event organised-by FICCI FLO. As soon as she entered the venue, she broke into a jig with the women on her famous song ‘Sapne Mein Milti Hai”. During an interaction, she said, “If women start respecting other women, woman empowerment’ would be visible. Parents who give birth to daughters are lucky.”

Coming from a middle class family, Urmila said that her close ones always stood by her and supported her in every decision right from when she was a child actress. At the same time she said starry tantrums were never allowed in the family. Urmila also shared that she got many roles in South Indian films and though initially there were language barriers, she went with the flow and enjoyed acting. On comparisons between an actor and a politician, Urmila said, “An actor becomes with the love of masses while political leader is elected by the masses.”

Urmila, renowned for her versatility and shining performances, candidly discussed her early career, the challenges she faced in a male-dominated industry and her evolution as an actress. Her rise to fame, marked by memorable performances in films like “Rangeela” and “Satya”, served as an inspiration for many aspiring actors. “Punctuality and discipline are important to excel in life,” she stressed.

The talk show, ‘Her Canvas, Her Story’, also delved into pressing social issues, such as women empowerment and the role of the entertainment industry in addressing societal challenges. Urmila emphasised, “Storytelling can influence public perception and drive change. We must focus on strong female characters to advocate for gender equality.”