It has been over five years since Urmila Matondkar last appeared in a full-fledged film a gap that sparked constant speculation about her stepping away from Bollywood for good. However the actor has finally put all rumours to rest. Urmila has clarified that she never quit acting she was simply waiting for roles that truly resonated with her as an artiste.
In a candid conversation with Hindustan Times Urmila shared that the phase of waiting is now behind her as exciting new projects have started coming her way. The actor who ruled the late 1990s with memorable performances also confirmed that she has already completed work on an OTT series and is eager to return to active sets. “It’s just about time to get back onto the sets and get rocking again” she said sounding upbeat and confident about her next chapter.

Why was Urmila away from acting for so long?
While her last film appearance dates back several years Urmila was briefly seen on television in 2022 as a judge on Dance India Dance Super Moms Season 3. However she admits that the long break from acting led many to believe she had lost interest in films.
Addressing this perception Urmila explained “When it comes to my work I have always been selective. I can’t blame people if they thought I had quit films but that was never the case. I am absolutely ready right now to get back onto the silver screen.”
For Urmila the absence was never about stepping away but about waiting for the right scripts something she has consistently prioritised throughout her career.

What’s next for Urmila Matondkar?
Urmila made her debut as a leading lady in 1991 with Narasimha and went on to become one of Hindi cinema’s most versatile actors. From the breezy charm of Rangeela to intense performances in Satya Kaun Bhoot and Pinjar her filmography reflects a conscious effort to avoid repetition.
Now she is embracing the OTT space which she believes offers creative freedom that was previously missing. “There is so much happening on OTT today. It has opened up genres emotions and characters that were unexplored earlier” she said.
The 51-year-old actor revealed that she has already wrapped up one web show which is expected to be released next year. “I want roles that challenge me as an actor. Something that excites me enough to go back to work with full energy” she added.

How does Urmila look back at her career choices?
Reflecting on her journey Urmila believes her biggest strength was refusing to be boxed into a single image. “I never got stuck in any mould. After Rangeela I moved to Judaai. I used my star status to do films that were not necessarily big but meaningful” she said.
She added that while critics may not have always acknowledged her range audiences did — and that remains her biggest validation.

What does she think about pay parity today?
Urmila also touched upon the issue of pay parity in the film industry noting that things have improved significantly since the 1990s. Interestingly she revealed that she was among the highest-paid actors of her time and in some films even earned more than her male co-stars.
“I have no complaints. I was paid well and I accept that humbly. The industry has changed tremendously over the last three decades and so have budgets and payrolls” she concluded.
With a renewed sense of purpose and fresh projects lined up Urmila Matondkar appears all set to reclaim her space — this time on her own terms.