Urmila Matondkar’s Bio, Age, Career, Movies, Family & More

Urmila Matondkar’s Biography

Early Life and Education

Urmila Matondkar was born on 4 February 1974 in Bombay (now Mumbai) to Shrikant and Sunita Matondkar in a Maharashtrian Hindu family. She studied at DG Ruparel College in Mumbai.

From an early age, she showed comfort before the camera, which led to child roles in Hindi and regional films.

These early years built the foundation for a long career that would straddle mainstream blockbusters and off-beat cinema.¹

Heartiest congratulations @Mohanlal sir on the great honour of “Dadasaheb Phalke award”. You are an institution of acting. Your effortless, charismatic n deeply impact full performances have left us awestruck each time. Salute to your perfection!! pic.twitter.com/vDFRlTeOQe

— Urmila Matondkar (@UrmilaMatondkar) September 20, 2025

Quick Stats

Child Actor Years (1977–1988)

Urmila began acting as a child. She first appeared in Karm (1977) and later in Masoom (1983), one of the most loved Hindi films about childhood and family. She also had parts in Kalyug (1980), Bhavna (1984) and other films across Hindi and regional languages.

The experience gave her a deep sense of set craft hitting marks, understanding lenses, and staying emotionally present on cue.

That early discipline would be visible in her adult performances, where she balanced glamour with strong characterization.

Early Lead Roles and the Road to Stardom

As a young lead, Urmila made early inroads in Malayalam cinema with Chanakyan (1989), and then in Hindi with Narsimha (1991).

The industry noticed her ability to light up the frame while holding a character’s internal arc. But true stardom arrived with Rangeela (1995).

Rangeela (1995): The Big Break

Directed by Ram Gopal Varma, Rangeela changed everything. Playing Mili, a spirited dancer and aspiring actress, Urmila delivered a performance that felt modern, warm, and iconic.

The film’s music, costumes, and choreography turned her into a national sensation and a fashion trendsetter of the 1990s. She earned major award recognition for the role and became one of the most sought-after leading ladies of the era.

Building a Versatile Filmography

Mainstream Success

Following Rangeela, Urmila starred in Judaai (1997), a drama that did well commercially and kept her in the limelight.

She followed with Satya (1998) a landmark gangster film where she played Vidya, a modest singer and the emotional core opposite the gritty underworld narrative.

She then embraced lighthearted fare with Khoobsurat (1999), headlined the taut home-invasion thriller Kaun (1999), and worked in the adventure drama Jungle (2000).

Psychological Thrillers and Horror

Urmila developed a reputation for fearless performances in darker genres. She portrayed an obsessed lover in Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya (2001), delivered a chilling turn as a possessed woman in Bhoot (2003), and played a vengeful protagonist in Ek Hasina Thi (2004).

These intense roles showed she could carry films that relied on psychological tension rather than only song-and-dance spectacle. Critics and audiences alike praised her range.

Art-House and Cross-Genre Choices

Alongside commercial hits, Urmila took on more layered parts in dramas such as Tehzeeb (2003) and Pinjar (2003). In Pinjar, adapted from Amrita Pritam’s novel and set against the Partition, she played Puro with sensitivity and restraint, earning strong critical acclaim. She continued to explore varied narratives with Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Mara (2005) and Bas Ek Pal (2006).

This mix of mainstream and off-beat work helped her stand out among contemporaries as a performer always ready to take risks. Recent retrospectives continue to call out Rangeela, Kaun, Bhoot, Pinjar, and Satya as defining turns, underlining her lasting influence.

Regional Cinema and Later Work

Urmila has acted not only in Hindi but also in Telugu, Malayalam, Marathi, and Tamil films. Her Marathi film Ajoba (2014) marked a welcome return for fans who admire her understated, naturalistic side.

In addition to films, she has been part of concert tours and stage shows, and she later featured as a judge on dance reality television including Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa and DID Super Moms.

Awards and Honors

Urmila has received a range of awards and nominations across her career, including Filmfare recognition and a Nandi Award.

She has also received critics’ honors for dramatic roles during the early 2000s particularly for the psychological thriller and horror titles that required stamina and emotional intensity.

Political Journey

Entry into Electoral Politics (2019)

In 2019, Urmila contested the Lok Sabha elections from Mumbai North on a Congress ticket. She later resigned from the party in September of the same year.

Joining Shiv Sena (2020)

On 1 December 2020, Urmila joined Shiv Sena in the presence of the party leadership. Her name was later forwarded by the party for nomination to the Maharashtra Legislative Council through the Governor’s quota, highlighting her ongoing interest in public service and civic issues.

In interviews around that time, she emphasized that she would continue working for people regardless of formal position. ²

Personal Life

Urmila married Kashmiri businessman and model Mohsin Akhtar Mir on 3 March 2016 in a private ceremony attended by close family and friends.

In September 2024, multiple outlets reported that she had filed for divorce after eight years of marriage.

As with any ongoing personal matter, details are best taken from confirmed, reputable sources; the reports mentioned a filing but also noted that the couple had not issued detailed public statements at that time.³

Legacy and Influence

Urmila Matondkar’s legacy rests on two pillars: mainstream stardom and fearless experimentation. She proved that a “commercial heroine” could carry thrillers and psychological dramas on the strength of performance.

Many younger actors who take on darker, genre-bending roles today walk a path that performers like Urmila helped clear.

Her willingness to pivot between big-ticket entertainers and small, serious films broadened the scope of what a leading Hindi film actress could attempt in the 1990s and early 2000s.

Her political involvement also shows a public figure ready to put her voice and time toward civic concerns. Whether on set, on stage, or in politics, Urmila has kept the spotlight where it matters on the work.

Selected Filmography Highlights

This is not a complete list, but a quick view of films often cited as career milestones.

• Rangeela (1995) – Romantic drama and dance-heavy star turn that made her a national sensation.

• Judaai (1997) – Dramatic role in a successful ensemble.

• Satya (1998) – Landmark gangster film; Urmila’s grounded performance won wide praise.

• Kaun (1999) – Minimalist psychological thriller with a gripping central act.

• Khoobsurat (1999) – Lighthearted entertainer showing her comic timing.

• Jungle (2000) – Survival drama with a strong emotional arc.

• Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya (2001) – Intense portrait of obsession.

• Bhoot (2003) – Critically acclaimed horror performance.

• Tehzeeb (2003) – Emotional mother-daughter drama.

• Pinjar (2003) – Period drama based on Amrita Pritam’s novel; praised for depth and sensitivity.

• Ek Hasina Thi (2004) – Revenge thriller with a fierce, layered lead turn.

• Ajoba (2014) – Marathi feature marking a later-career appearance

Career Timeline (Short)

• 1977–1985: Child actor years in Hindi and regional cinema (Karm, Masoom, Kalyug).

• 1989–1994: Early lead roles; work across languages.

• 1995–2000: Breakthrough with Rangeela; mainstream success across genres.

• 2001–2006: Psychological thrillers, horror, and art-house drama; critics’ acclaim.

• 2010s: Select film appearances including Marathi cinema; stage shows and TV judging.

• 2019: Contested Lok Sabha elections (Congress).

• 2020: Joined Shiv Sena; name forwarded for MLC nomination.

 

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FAQ’s

1) What is Urmila Matondkar’s age and birthplace?

She was born on 4 February 1974 in Bombay (now Mumbai), Maharashtra, India.

2) What made Urmila famous?

Rangeela (1995) brought her widespread fame. Her dance numbers, styling, and lively performance turned her into a 1990s icon. She then consolidated her reputation with challenging roles in Satya, Kaun, Bhoot, Pinjar, and Ek Hasina Thi.

3) Has Urmila worked outside Hindi cinema?

Yes. She has acted in Telugu, Malayalam, Marathi, and Tamil films, including Chanakyan (Malayalam) and Ajoba (Marathi).

4) What awards has she won?

She has received a Filmfare Award, a Nandi Award, and several critics’ honors over the years. For a full, current list, see the awards pages linked in Sources.

5) Did Urmila enter politics?

Yes. She contested the 2019 Lok Sabha elections with the Indian National Congress, left later that year, and joined Shiv Sena in December 2020. Her name was also forwarded for nomination to the Maharashtra Legislative Council from the Governor’s quota.

Conclusion

Urmila Matondkar’s journey shows how a star can be both glamorous and brave. She embraced challenging parts, moved across film industries and genres, and later took her convictions into politics.

Whether you discovered her through Rangeela or found her later in Ek Hasina Thi or Pinjar, her body of work offers something for every cinema lover.