Published By: Sayan Paul

Happy Birthday, Urmila Matondkar: Revisiting Her Iconic Dance Numbers That We Still Can't Get Over

Urmila Matondkar is a brilliant actress, but - without an iota of doubt - an even better dancer.

Urmila Matondkar is not formally trained in any classical dance form, and yet when she dances, we just cannot take our eyes away. Because, you know, art is less about technical perfection and more about expressing yourself spontaneously. As the 'Rangeela' star herself shared in an interview, "... the truth is I cannot dance, and I never had any formal training. Any item number or song sequence that you have liked was possible only because of my passion. Whenever I danced, I danced from my heart." This is why she is able to bring a natural rhythm to her performances, which is evident in everything from her expressions to her moves. And for her, dance is storytelling - she makes sure that her performance is part of the film's narrative and not a standalone entity.

One of Hindi cinema's most accomplished actresses, Urmila Matondkar celebrates her 51st birthday. On this occasion, let's revisit her iconic dance numbers which are still popular among fans.

Rangeela Re (Rangeela)

The list must begin with "Rangeela Re" as it is inarguably Urmila Matondkar at her best. The song, composed by A. R. Rahman and sung by Asha Bhosle, is electrifying and features her in an incredibly energetic avatar. She captures the film's raw energy in her performance, making it an important juncture of the film's narrative.

(Credit: Film History Pics)

'Rangeela' was released theatrically in 1995. And more than anything else, this song and the dance number became massively popular among fans. The college-goers especially went crazy about Matondkar's grace and personality.

Chamma Chamma (China Gate)

"Chamma Chamma" from 'China Gate' is bold, powerful, and unforgettable. This is another electrifying number where Matondkar's grace and energy set the screen on fire. Dressed in a traditional lehenga choli (along with jewelry), she captivates our hearts with her moves, footwork, and expressions.

(Credit: MJW)

Sung by Alka Yagnik, "Chamma Chamma" was a part of Rajkumar Santoshi's 1998 action film, 'China Gate'. The song-and-dance sequence was a major hit, contributing a lot to the film's success. It was later used in Baz Luhrmann's 2001 musical, 'Moulin Rouge!'.

Tanha Tanha (Rangeela)

"Tanha Tanha" is another major number from 'Rangeela' which showcases another side of Matondkar's dance skills. This isn't as energetic as "Rangeela Re", and instead has a very melancholic tone and sensuality. However, Urmila Matondkar pulls it off effortlessly and leaves us spellbound.

"Tanha Tanha" was sung by Asha Bhosle. Although not as popular as "Rangeela Re", it was also a hit among fans.

Kambakth Ishq (Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya)

Long before Akshay Kumar's film 'Kambakkht Ishq' was released, Urmila Matondkar enthralled us with her performance in the number "Kambakth Ishq". Featured in the 2001 film 'Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya', it's another electrifying number where Matondkar's raw energy shines. The choreography is unconventional, and she pulls it off with remarkable precision.


(Credit: Ishtar Music)

Sung by Asha Bhosle and Sukhwinder Singh, the song featured Matondkar along with Fardeen Khan. The two's chemistry here continues to be a hit among fans.

And the list obviously doesn't end here. Besides the above-mentioned numbers, it also includes "Shabba Shabba" (Daud), "Ruki Ruki Thi Zindagi" (Mast), "Aa Hi Jaiye" (Lajja), etc.