I don’t need to do every film I’m offered: Urmila

Sultry beauty Urmila Matondkar on keeping low profile in movies, her upcoming films EMI and Karzzz and more in conversation with Rachana Dubey.

Apparently, your father wants to buy your old house back from Sonu Sood because it was lucky for you?
Rubbish! Why would my father want to do that? And I personally don’t believe in superstitions that a colour or a house or a ring can fetch you good luck. Look at me (shows her fingers), am I wearing any of those ‘lucky’ rings?

So, why have you been keeping a low profile?
I’ve reached a stage in my career when I don’t need to do every film I’m offered. And I’ve been doing did television.. anchoring and judging, I did an item song. When was I ever out of circulation?

Are you planning to do a TV show again?
Waar Parivaar was a satisfying experience. But that’s all for now. I’ll take a while to come back.

So, what’s with the two simultaneous film releases, EMI and Karzzz?
Well, I can’t help the release dates. These offers were better than most others.. and yeah now there are butterflies in my tummy.

Any responses to the Karzzz promos?
Oh, my phone hasn’t stopped ringing ever since. Messages and phone calls from colleagues and friends have been pouring. The songs.. Lut jaaoon and Tandoori nights are chartbusters. Tandoori nights is all over the clubs and pubs.. which is a positive sign.

How closely has the original Karz been followed?
Quite closely.. in fact most parts of the story remain unchanged.. except for some portions in the second half which have been altered to suit today’s time and me. The rest is Karz.

Have you gone grey like Simi Garewal did in Karz?
No yaar! That was in the 1980s. Which woman looks old today? Which rich and famous lady have you seen flaunting grey? I’m playing Kamini.. someone who is rich enough to own 10 cosmetic companies. I look stylish throughout. So what if I’m playing someone 20 years elder to Himesh (Reshammiya).. it doesn’t mean I can’t look glamorous. I’ve tried to do complete justice to Simiji’s part. But comparisons will be unavoidable.

EMI looks and sounds like Sanjay Dutt’s film.
It’s actually everyone’s film. All of us play our parts..Sanju (Sanjay Dutt) strings our stories together. I play a woman who has lost her husband.. she’s a toughie of sorts who doesn’t give up in any situation. And of course, there’s the loan which she has to repay.

Ever had to pay back a loan?
No. Thankfully, there has never been such a situation. No EMIs in real life. In fact, I don’t even get those hounding phone calls from loan-providing companies.

I actually feel bad for those callers. Some of my friends find them irritating but I pity them because they have to bear all the gaalis, no-no and khich khich with a smile.

Apparently, your Waar Parivar producer Gajendra Singh is getting into film production. Has he approached you for the movie?
No. Doing TV show for someone doesn’t mean he’ll cast me in his films also. What a funny thought!

You didn’t walk the ramp for good friend Manish Malhotra at the Couture Week.
Yeah. Honestly, I’m feeling bad because he’s a dear friend. I coul not commit the time because I had plans.. I thought I’d be travelling or shooting. I was in the city when he showed, but I didn’t want to make a commitment and then back out.

Didn’t he feel bad?
Of course not. He has too many friends to walk for him. I’m sure he didn’t miss me too much.

Have you seen Phoonk?
No, I’ve been too busy to catch that movie. Some day.. maybe.

Which was the last Ram Gopal Varma movie you saw?
(Looks at the ceiling.. thinks for two minutes) Bhoot. The rest.. I wouldn’t care to remember.

Would you ever do the sequel of Phoonk?
I can’t answer such hypothetical questions. We’ll see when he makes one.. sochenge!

Do you regret losing your professional and personal friendship with Ram Gopal Varma?
Not at all. What’s there to regret about that?

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