Urmila Matondkar

Urmila Matondkar
Matondkar in 2015
Born (1974-02-04) 4 February 1974 (age 50)
Bombay (now Mumbai), Maharashtra, India
Occupations
  • Actress
  • politician
Years active1977–present
WorksFull list
Political party
Spouse
Mohsin Akhtar Mir
​
(m. 2016)​
AwardsFull list

Urmila Matondkar (born 4 February 1974) is an Indian actress and politician.[1] Known for her work primarily in Hindi films, in addition to Telugu, Malayalam, Marathi and Tamil films, she has received numerous accolades, including the Filmfare Award and the Nandi Award. Having established a distinctive on-screen persona, she is known for her acting skills, style statements and dancing skills.[2][3]

After making her debut as a child in the 1977 film Karm,[4] Matondkar gained recognition with Masoom (1983), following which she appeared in few other films. Her first lead role came with the Malayalam film Chanakyan (1989), and her subsequent lead role in Hindi cinema with Narsimha (1991), both of which were commercial successes. After a brief setback, Matondkar emerged as a star with Ram Gopal Verma's romantic drama Rangeela (1995).

Matondkar had further success in the drama Judaai (1997), the crime film Satya (1998), the romantic comedy Khoobsurat (1999), and the thriller Jungle (2000). She also played the leading lady in Malayalam, Telugu and Tamil films such as Thacholi Varghese Chekavar (1995), Antham (1992), Gaayam (1993), Indian (1996) and Anaganaga Oka Roju (1997).[5][6] Matondkar garnered critical recognition for portraying a range of intense characters in several psychological thrillers and horror films, including a serial killer in Kaun (1999), an obsessive lover in Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya (2001), a possessed woman in Bhoot (2003) and a violent avenger in Ek Hasina Thi (2004). During these years, she collaborated with independent filmmakers in art-house cinema, including the dramas Tehzeeb (2003), Pinjar (2003), Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Mara (2005), Bas Ek Pal (2006). She has since worked intermittently, including in the Marathi film Ajoba (2014).[7]

In addition to acting in films, Matondkar is involved with several humanitarian causes and is vocal about issues faced by women and children. She has participated in concert tours and stage shows, and featured as a talent judge for various dance reality shows, including Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa (2007) and DID Super Moms (2022).

  1. ^ "Urmila Matondkar goes underwater for her birthday". Thaindian.com. 4 February 2009. Archived from the original on 16 July 2011. Retrieved 26 February 2011.
  2. ^ "From Rangeela to Pinjar, Urmila Matondkar's effortless evolution on screen". The Indian Express. 4 February 2022. Retrieved 13 November 2022.
  3. ^ "On Urmila Matondkar's birthday, here's a look at some of her best dance numbers". Firstpost. 4 February 2022. Retrieved 13 November 2022.
  4. ^ Biswas, Jaya (4 July 2017). "When big stars wowed us on small screen". The Times of India. Retrieved 26 September 2020.
  5. ^ Srinivasan, V S (16 January 1998). "Rangeela Re!". Rediff.com. Retrieved 11 November 2008.
  6. ^ Kulkarni, Ronjita (2008). "Bollywood's top 5, 2003: Urmila Matondkar". Rediff.com. Retrieved 11 November 2008.
  7. ^ "Urmila Matondkar not to rest on her laurels". The Hindu. 26 May 2003. Archived from the original on 10 January 2016.