Urmila Matondkar to play 50-plus diva

Feb 26, 2008 Subhash K Jha

Mumbai, Feb 27 (IANS) Actress Urmila Matondkar will play a super-glamorous 50-plus woman who lives in isolated splendour in a castle, wears the most stunning clothes and plays out life queen-size in a remake of the 1980 blockbuster "Karz".

She will be riding horses, flying planes and gambling the night away in casinos.

Says Urmila: "The character will be an ageless diva. A very stylish and super-exclusive heiress and her clothes and demeanour will reflect a kind of inherent glamour."

Urmila's favourite costume designer Manish Malhotra is working on her clothes that will reflect the character's diva-like splendour. A budget of several crores of rupees has been set aside for the wardrobe.

Manish Malhotra has been asked to design some of the most elaborate and expensive clothes ever worn by an actress for any part. "Manish and I have collaborated on numerous films. But this one will be something else," laughs Urmila.

Director Satish Kaushik says Urmila in "Karz" will be the epitome of a glamorous high-flying existence. "She will be a 50-plus woman, who will ride horses, fly planes and gamble the night away in casinos. She will be living the high life at the highest level," Kaushik said.

It will apparently be the most lavishly done-up female character ever in a Hindi movie.

"We're certainly aiming at that. And Urmila has the correct body language to carry off the role of a queen-like socialite, who sings and shakes a leg in two songs with Himesh Reshammiya. This character will be completely different, far more sensuous and glamorous than the character in Subhash Ghai's 'Karz'," Kaushik promises.

Simi Garewal, who played Kamini, the original diva in Ghai's 'Karz', had commented that Sushmita Sen, not Urmila, was more suited for the remake.

Satish laughs when queried about the comment. "Simi ji is entitled to her opinion. But Sushmita would've been too imposing and intimidating. We wanted someone who can be a socialite and a dancer, someone to match steps and body language with Himesh," he said.

Sources close to the director say the character's clothes, hairstyles and lifestyle seem to indicate royal status. It has apparently been inspired by Gayatri Devi of the former princely state of Jaipur.