My father was a banker, and my mother worked for the state government.
Urmila Matondkar
I like seafood like prawns and fish - I can live on prawns!
I value my stardom a lot. I always wanted to become an actress and have loved every minute of it.
Before 'Rangeela' happened to me, all that was offered to me were song-and-dance roles.
I am a torchbearer of love and peace.
Dance has been very close to my heart. I am very passionate about it.
I always liked acting, but it was not that I was dying to become an actress. It just happened, and I am enjoying it.
I respect the media, and in return, they respect my privacy.
Dancing is never excruciating as preparing for it is. For instance, the song 'Chamma Chamma' had heavy outfits and even more heavy jewellery. 'Kambakht Ishq' was shot in extreme heat during the day and a rain sequence in the night, so we were literally drenched throughout the night.
Pakistani men are great-looking. Now I know where all the good looking men in the sub-continent are hiding!
I like my work to speak. Actually, I would like my work to scream!
What I have done in 'Company' can't be defined.
I come from a background where we have been taught to give back to the society, as it is an obligation for all of us.
I am not fond of red meat.
My private life is always under scrutiny. Each and every action is analysed and re-analysed.
I've always been selective about my roles.
Once you are accepted as a star, as a good artiste, nothing else matters.
I'm quite cool about my sex symbol image. It's nothing to be proud of or ashamed of.
I am an actress, period.
I love song-and-dance films.
I don't like cooking and don't cook until I am forced to. Then I expect everyone around to appreciate what I dish out.
I was on stage from an early age. It always felt to me like something I was born to do.
I have always tried to make life interesting for myself by doing different roles that connect mainstream cinema with its offbeat counterpart.
'Rangeela' and 'Daud' are both exciting films. The songs, the music, the dances - they all blend so well.
I'm proud when my dance numbers are spoken about for my expressions and steps.
Relationships need time and commitment.
Though I am associated in the public mind with glamorous songs and dances, my appearance in 'Company' is in no way glamorous. Rather than rely on my body language, the number zooms in on my facial expressions.
I've always done what was asked of me for a social cause. Tried to bring visibility to issues of health and education.
There aren't enough meaty roles for actresses. Also, most actresses aren't ready to take risks.
Being with someone makes you happier and more content as a human being and takes your personality to greater heights and vice versa. And I don't think that's being too demanding.
I had no godfather/godmother/filmi family backing me, but I made it only because I just believed in my talent, and my audience reposed their faith in me. So, I always say that my godfather in B-town has been my audience. Without them, I would be nowhere.
Actions should speak louder than words.
I am not naive or stupid enough to imagine that people are just going to look at my face and vote for me.
Public adulation is the ultimate high.
I like Meryl Streep and Jodie Foster. Among Indian actress, I prefer Madhubala and Nutan.
I am not scared of ghosts. I don't believe in ghosts or in the supernatural.
I'm often asked how I shoulder the responsibility of films, but I've always believed in taking risks.
'Rangeela' was a very wonderful film, a great experience.
I thrive on cheese and champagne.
Just because of 'Rangeela' and 'Daud,' it can't be said that I am a sex symbol.
'Masoom' was like a picnic for all of us. We kids just wanted to have fun acting in the film. We never realised when the film was completed. When we did, we realised the party was over.
There's a lot of scope for performing in masala movies.
As you grow older, maturity naturally comes to you. And it shows on your face. It's true not only about looks, but your maturity should also reflect in your performances.
Some people say heroines just have to look good and provide the glamour. Some say, from dance-n-song routines, heroines have come a long way. Today, the heroine's name adds weight to the film, though maybe they can't carry the whole film on their names. I believe, yes, we do contribute a lot to films.
As long as I don't look down upon any characters, that's fine. The moment I do that - the moment I think I'm superior or that others are inferior - I'm finished as an artist and as a human being.
I have been trolled for my name, my marriage, my religion, even for my mother.
I never considered politics as an option, not ever.
I haven't necessarily joined politics to become a leader but because it was the need of the time.
The first lesson of politics or, at least, democracy is that it is a government by the people and for the people, isn't it? What makes the person a big leader or a big name is only what the person has done for the people.
I guess I have been daring and lucky with my roles.
