Super Star on Sahara One

INTERVIEW | URMILA MATONDKAR

Super Star

Namita Nivas
Posted online: Friday, September15, 2006 at 0000 hours IST

Post Banaras, Urmila Matondkar is back to playing her own age in Bas Ek Pal. The actor will also be judging Super Stars on the small screen ... It is after a long gap, since Banaras, that you will be seen in Bas Ek Pal this month. Was it a deliberate move considering you played a mature role in the former?
I have been working for so long that now I am taking it easy. I have always liked to do films that not only catch my attention but that of my fans as well. Banaras was a philosophical film which I did because I liked my character. I have no regrets playing a mature role. Moreover, I had a great time doing that film as it taught me a lot of things about life. In Bas Ek Pal, you are back to playing your age. What was it that caught your eye this time?
I liked what was narrated to me about my character. I play Anamika Joshi who is a very 'today' person: vibrant, intelligent, flamboyant, fun-loving and honest to herself. A civil engineer by profession, she lives independently and likes to take each day as it comes. Her life changes when her past catches up with her. Do you identify with the character of Anamika?
Absolutely. Like her, I am also today's girl who is very sure of herself. I am confident of achieving any goal in life. Like her, I am also sensitive. I am sure every girl will identify with this character, which I accepted as I felt it was an interesting role, something one rarely gets to perform. Bas Ek Pal is about modern-day relationships and how lives are inextricably bound together by fate. Though it is not an issue-based film, it will highlight how much we take life as well as our loved ones for granted. Director Onir has handled a delicate tale with immense care and love. The film is made with lots of sincerity and sensitivity and I hope everybody enjoys it. But director Onir is a relatively new to this field with only My Brother Nikhil to his credit.
Yes, and what a film that was! He gained popularity all over the world with his debut film that dealt with a sensitive topic like AIDs. After watching that film, I was very keen to work with Onir and when the opportunity came to me, how could I refuse it? Like My Brother ..., Bas Ek Pal too is of international standard and will touch every heart. Working was Onir was an interesting experience. So was working with Juhi, Sanjay and Jimmy.

< = src="http://banners.expressindia.com/banner/screenfullstory.js"> < = src="http://banners.expressindia.com/adsnew/adjs.php?para=no&n=796293130&what=zone:443&target=_blank&exclude=," =text/>

After Bas Ek Pal, what will be your next release?
I have Speed and Non Stop Fun right now besides which, for the first time, I shall be a judge for a TV show, Super Stars on Sahara One. Otherwise I am planning to take a break after this. I have always been very choosy when it comes to selecting my roles. Though there are several offers, I shall look at them seriously only after September.