I’ve never been much of a gambler: Urmila

Bollywood actress Urmila Matondkar steers clear of taash parties and celebrates Diwali the traditional way.. Hiren Kotwani reports.

Urmila Matondkar steers clear of taash parties and celebrates Diwali the traditional way.. Hiren Kotwani reports

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What are your plans for Diwali?

I’m planning to spend the festival with my family at my farmhouse. We’ll celebrate it the traditional way.

And that would be..

Wake up early, take a ceremonial bath, perform

puja

, hog

mithai

and other delicacies prepared by my mom and sister, visit relatives and friends.

And before you ask, no taash parties. Even if I’m at a card party, I don’t play. I’ve tried once but didn’t win anything. (Laughs) I’ve never been much of a gambler which is why I felt so out-of-place during that scene in

Karzzzz

.

Talking of

Karzzz

, your Kamini has sparked off mixed reactions.

That’s not unusual. People always have preconceived notions about a remake. Subconsciously, they have already made up their minds to dislike the adaptation. Even Shah Rukh Khan’s

Don

had sparked off some amount of scepticism. But I got good reviews so I’m having the last laugh. Ha, ha!

Has Simi Garewal who played the role of Kamini in the original, seen the film?

You’ll have to ask her that. I hardly know her and we haven’t been in touch.

For someone who always dared to be different, what prompted you to shy away from turning grey considering the character ages by 25 years?

Hey, I did turn grey in

Benaras

remember? But Kamini was loaded.. she could have owned 10 cosmetic companies. A woman like that would always colour her hair. Which woman doesn’t today?

Which Monty do you prefer.. Rishi Kapoor or Himesh Reshammiya?

Rishiji’s Monty will always be memorable. Right at the onset Himesh had pointed out that he wasn’t trying to be one up on him. So it wouldn’t be right to compare. They are two different people playing the role in two different times.

Shweta Kumar has said that Ranbir Kapoor would have made a great Monty. Comment?

When I was offered Kamini, Himesh had already been confirmed as Monty. I liked the maker’s interpretation and gave the nod.

With

EMI

coming up in another couple of weeks, you have two releases in quick succession. Still you continue to be super selective.

Even when I was doing more films, I didn’t accept every role that came my way so why would I do that now? It’s just a coincidence that

Karzzzz

and

EMI

are releasing so close to each other though

EMI

has been pushed back by a few weeks now.

It’s been years since you and Sanjay Dutt first teamed up for

Khoobsoorat

. Has he changed much?

(Laughs) No, during

EMI

he wasn’t all that different from what he was during the

Daud

and

Khubsoorat

days.. just a little more serious but still fun.

You’re supposed to unhappy with

EMI..

you were missing at the promotional launch at the Fashion Week?

No way, I was traveling and out of town. (Laughs) Don’t go looking for a controversy where there isn’t one.