I found the people to be really friendly... no one tried to harass me

Kathmandu :

The atmosphere was exhilarating even as those who thronged the Shangri-La Hotel waited with baited breaths and thumping hearts for the Rangeela girl to materialise. She sauntered through the Shambala Garden sporting an unpretentious black salwar. Surprisingly, inspite of the years in the rough and tumble world of the tinsel town, and of course a spate of flops recently, the actress only looked stunning in her sixty-four-thousand-dollar smile.

Speaking about her almost triumphant foray in the realm of Bollywood, Bollywood diva Urmila Matondkar said, “I’d never in my wildest dreams thought that I’d be an actress.” But most of her fans would only nod their agreement as she explains, “I’ve never been happy with one particular genre and that’s why I’ve had such long innings in Bollywood.”

Indeed for an actress without a filmi background, who’d had to wrestle it against 17 other new entrants in Big Bad Bollywood, there would be no other explanation.

And praise her honesty, as she takes her fresh disappointment at the box office, though with a pinch of salt. “It was bad that it didn’t do well. But Banaras comes under a different genre. It was a niche film with a philosophical content. It aimed at bringing the hues of a different culture and tradition in India, unlike other Bollywood films. It didn’t go well with the audience but that’s how it happens in Bollywood.”

Matondkar, who is on a promotional visit to Nepal on the invitation of Casino Shangri-La plans to take lovely memories back to India. “This is the place where I found the people to be genuinely friendly. And though most of them recognised me at my recent visit to Syambhunath, nobody tried to harass me. I wish I could stay longer, but I’ve got to attend a TV show where I’m the judge.”

The actress, who also looks to be better informed that other actresses says, “On my next visit I’m planning to go to Pokhara and the list of the places goes on and on.” What’s more, on being asked by a reporter on if she would consider Kollywood, the sultry Matondkar informed that she would consider roles from our own Kollywood.

A word of caution to our Kollywood actresses — you have competition from none other than the Rangeela girl herself.