Urmila's Da Vinci code

By: Upala KBR, Mid-Day
Thursday, March 15, 2007
After lending her voice to the Mehbooba number in Asha Bhonsle's album Asha And Friends, Urmila Matondkar is getting tremendous response from the music industry.

In fact, the actress has been getting offers to cut an album.

However, Urmila has been reading scripts, relaxing at home, travelling and attending functions, and has decided to put her singing career on hold (for the moment).

Very few know the actress's real passion is painting. She is a zealous artist and has painted over 30 paintings till date.

Going abstract

For Urmila, painting is as much a hobby as a passion, but says ruefully that it doesn't make her Leonardo Da Vinci. "I have loved painting since I was a child. In fact, painting is an obsession.

So much so, that my friends pull my leg about it. I have an easel and canvas set up in a studio at my farmhouse in Panchgani, and whenever I go there I get obsessed with painting.

I must have painted over 30 paintings by now, but I don't know where they all are. I paint only abstract figures or scenery.

I often joke saying that when I die, my friends can sell my paintings and get a huge profit from it! But I haven't been able to go to my farmhouse or paint for many months because of constant travel."

So how was her jamming experience with Asha Bhonsle? "Ashaji has given me a Goddess Saraswati statue. She says my voice has a very strong tone and conveys emotions well.

My parents and friends have been in a state of shock since the time I sang the song. Now they can't shut me up. As a child, whatever I have done, I have done with seriousness, intensity and full-fledged passion, but even then it doesn't make me a professional singer.

My mamaji, Madhav Desai, sings and plays the tabla. I have sung Ghulam Ali's ghazals, have karaoke sessions at home so yes, I do love singing."

Thumping response

The buzz is, a big music company wanted her to record an album for them. "Yes, some people have approached me, but as of now I am neither taking music lessons nor recording any album. I don't have time.

I guess the rumours started when Mauj had a success party for Ashaji's album. I got flooded with compliments from everyone including Shammi Kapoor, Hariharan, Anandji, Shaan, Talat Aziz, Kunal Ganjawala and Bhupendra.

All of them said that I should cut an album. They were amazed at the pitch in which I sang. I've been in shock since then, especially after I heard that Ashaji and my song was No 2 on MTV."

The actress says she was extremely nervous while recording the song with Asha.

She says, "I didn't practise at all and recorded the song in four hours. I wish I'd known that I would get such a fabulous response, because then I would have given it more time and rehearsed well.

I was so nervous that during recording I was giggling hysterically and insisted that all the lights be switched off."

Of late, Urmila has been lying low on the film front. Why is this so?
She says, "There are plenty of offers, but I am taking it easy even as far as films are concerned.

I don't want to sign films for the heck of it but something interesting is developing soon. I am busy travelling, reading scripts and planning many things."

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