Latest news with #UrmilaMatondkar
India.com
29-07-2025
- Entertainment
- India.com
This 90 minutes thriller will send chills down your spine, made on budget of Rs 2.5 crore, earned Rs 7 crore, has IMDb rating of 7.8, movie is…, lead actors were…
In the late 1990s, when Bollywood was dominated by song-and-dance routines and family dramas, a unique psychological thriller emerged, challenging the conventional norms of Indian cinema. This film, characterized by its minimalist approach and intense narrative, stood out as an anomaly in the industry, which is now hailed as cult classic of all time. Which film is this? The film we are talking about is 'Kaun?', a 1999 Hindi-language psychological horror directed by legendary Ram Gopal Varma and penned by maverick Anurag Kashyap. Featuring a compact cast of Urmila Matondkar, Manoj Bajpayee, and Sushant Singh, the movie unfolds entirely within a single house, emphasizing suspense and character dynamics over elaborate sets or musical interludes. Remarkably, the film was shot in just 15 days with only 3 actors, showcasing Varma's efficiency and Kashyap's vision. What is the storyline? This film revolves around a nameless woman, portrayed by Matondkar, who is alone at home during a stormy evening. Her solitude is interrupted by the arrival of a stranger (Bajpayee), leading to a tense and unpredictable interaction. The narrative delves deep into themes of trust, fear, and deception, keeping viewers on edge throughout its 90-minute runtime. What impact was created by RGV's thriller on audience's mind? Upon its release, Kaun? received mixed reviews. While some critics appreciated its experimental nature and tight storytelling, others found its deviation from mainstream Bollywood elements jarring. Commercially, the film had a modest performance, earning approximately Rs 7 crore against a budget of Rs 2.5 crore. However, over the years, it has garnered a cult following, with many praising its innovative experimental approach and compelling performances. How were the performances? Urmila Matondkar's portrayal of the enigmatic protagonist is often highlighted as one of her most nuanced performances. Her ability to convey vulnerability and unpredictability added depth to the character, making the film's climax all the more impactful. Manoj Bajpayee, too, delivered a memorable performance, oscillating between charm and menace with finesse. Sushant Singh had a brief but powerful role in Kaun? as the mysterious third character. Though his screen time was limited, his intense and silent presence added a sharp twist, enhancing the film's suspense. It was one of his early roles that showcased his potential in thrillers. Did Kaun receive any accolades? While Kaun? didn't receive major awards upon its release, but its influence on the genre is undeniable. It paved the way for more experimental thrillers in Indian cinema, proving that compelling stories could be told without the usual Bollywood tropes. Today, Kaun? is studied and celebrated for its contribution to the evolution of Indian thrillers, solidifying its place as a masterclass in suspenseful storytelling, which has hold its IMDb rating at 7.8. The film is currently available for viewing on YouTube.
Time of India
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Urmila Matondkar says her journey from 1995 to 2025 is 'full of love & warmth'
Actress Urmila Matondkar took some time to reflect on her praiseworthy journey from 1995 to 2025 - which happens to be full of "love appreciation, affection, and warmth". She took to her official Instagram account and dropped two pictures of herself - one from 1995 and another one from 2025. In both these stills, the 'Kon' actress sizzled in a short black dress. Her post also included the caption, " 2025 n on n on n on I go basking in the love, appreciation, affection n warmth showered by all of you on me." Showing her genuine gratitude, she went on to share, "Saw someone post this on "X" and couldn't resist sharing it with all of you. What else can I have except heart full of genuine gratitude n persona drenched in humility." Back in May, Urmila offered prayers at the famous Kamakhya Temple in Assam. Father's Day 2025 Celeb Tributes: Sunny Deol, Karan Johar, Priyanka Chopra, Virat Kohli & More Posting a couple of glimpses of her religious visit on the photo-sharing app, she wrote, "Kamakhya closed.. the city at a standstill... but had to pay a like many other things in life, I left this also to maa ...And today the call came for a visit." Over the years, Urmila has worked in several languages such as Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Marathi. She is credited with some impeccable performances in movies like, "Chamatkar", "Aa Gale Lag Jaa," "Ek Haseena Thi," "Bhoot," "Rangeela", "Judaai", "Mere Sapno Ki Rani," "Satya," "Janam Samjha Karo," "Kunwara," "Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya," "Om Jai Jagdish," and "Pinjar". Urmila announced her return to the screen back in 2022 with the web series "Tiwari." Saurabh Varma's directorial will chronicle the journey of a woman named Kalki Tiwari (Urmila). She ends up being arrested for a crime she did not commit. After being released, she goes on a mission to find the man who had wrongfully framed her.
Time of India
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Urmila Matondkar drops NEW PICS which divide the internet; some shower love, others ask, 'What has she done to her face? Looking like Charu Asopa'
Urmila Matondkar who is known for a long list of memorable movies - from 'Rangeela', to 'Kaun' to 'Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya', 'Judaai' and lots more. The actress has been away from the limelight for a while but stays connected with her fans on social media. Her latest pictures in a pastel summer dress have divided the internet. While some commented that she's not aged at all and is still looking the same, many others commented that she's done something to her face and lips. A user said, "Kaun ? Rangeela Khoobsurat girl . janam Samjha Karo 🙂🙌🙌" Another person said, "Looking like a Barbie doll 😮😍😍😍 Evergreen Diva 🦋👑✨" A fan wrote, "It's touching to see how time has passed for my favorite actress. She may be older now, but her charm, talent, and legacy are truly ageless. " View this post on Instagram A post shared by Urmila Matondkar (@urmilamatondkarofficial) Meanwhile, some also wondered what's wrong with her. A user said, "Something unnatural." Another person commented, "U don't look like you... U lost your natural charm behind these surgery s on ur face 😢loved you for what u where in back old days 🙌" A person said, "what has she done to her face???? 🙄🤨" Someone also said that suddenly she's looking like actress Charu Asopa . by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Secure Your Child's Future with Strong English Fluency Planet Spark Learn More Undo Meanwhile, just after that post, Urmila dropped another post which was a collage of her two pictures, one from 1995 and one from now. A fan had shared it. The actress wrote, "1995…tooo 2025 n on n on n on I go basking in the love, appreciation, affection n warmth showered by all of you on me 🙏🏻Saw someone post this on 'X' and couldn't resist sharing it with all of you. What else can I have except heart full of genuine gratitude 🙏🏻 n persona drenched in humility 🙏🏻😇❤️🙏🏻" On work front, Urmila was last seen in a special appearance in the 2018 film 'Blackmail'.
News18
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
‘What Has She Done to Her Face?': Fans React To Urmila Matondkar's Photos
Last Updated: Urmila Matondkar shared a series of photographs in her latest look, which grabbed much attention online. Urmila Matondkar, celebrated for her acting talent and dance moves, recently turned heads with her latest glam look. The veteran actress, who has won hearts for over four decades on screen, looked radiant as ever in a series of new photos she shared on Instagram. Dressed in a chic pink outfit, the Rangeela star proved she's truly ageing like fine wine. The pictures show Urmila soaking in the golden hour glow while striking stylish poses outdoors. She wore a sleeveless pink top adorned with large golden buttons, paired with a matching pleated mini skirt. Her fashion-forward ensemble was complemented by flawless makeup—glowing skin, bold eye makeup, defined brows, and a soft pink lip tint. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Urmila Matondkar (@urmilamatondkarofficial) Soon after the post surfaced on social media, her fans were left divided on her beauty. While some claimed that the veteran star did some work on her face, others simply praised her ageless charm. One user asked, 'What did you do? Big change." Another mentioned, 'U don't look like you… U lost your natural charm behind these surgery s on ur face, loved you for what u were in bck old days." Someone questioned, 'What has she done to her face????" 'Ozempic, Botox fillers plastic surgery yuck," one social media user showed their discontentment, while a comment read, 'Full face filler and botox." Echoing the same emotion, one person wondered, 'Wait is this urmilla, the rangeela girl? Oh noooooooo, what did she do with her face. Just the other day she was looking so gorgeous. Omfg. What's happening with these women." Meanwhile, a section of society also talked highly about her looks and figure. One user said, 'Your as same as 80s with the figure but coming to face it's change totally." A fan mentioned, 'Aging backwards cutie." Someone shared, 'Still looking like a 18 year old." 'Barbie doll since 1990's," read a comment. Another fan exclaimed, 'Wow ma'am u looks like a teenager girl super stay blessed." 'Damn!!! And still the lady looks way more beautiful than I had ever imagined," claimed another. Coming to her professional front, the actress was last seen in the third season of the dance reality television series DID Super Moms, which was aired in 2022. First Published:
Time of India
31-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
How Ram Gopal Varma's Kaun? starring Urmila Matondkar Became a Cult Psychological Thriller That Changed Bollywood
Bollywood's psychological thrillers, though niche, are gaining traction, with films like 'Kaun?' setting a precedent for minimalist suspense. The genre's struggle for mainstream acceptance stems from its reliance on subtlety, contrasting Bollywood's typical spectacle. OTT platforms are now fostering a renaissance, offering creative freedom and audience openness for these mind-bending stories, signaling a promising future. Bollywood is best known for its colorful musicals, larger-than-life heroes, and high-octane drama. But beneath this glittering surface lies a small, remarkable niche — psychological thrillers that probe the human mind, build suspense through silence and subtlety, and often unfold in confined, claustrophobic spaces. These films, though critically praised, have rarely become mainstream blockbusters. Take 'Kaun?' (1999), for example. Directed by Ram Gopal Varma and starring Urmila Matondkar and Manoj Bajpayee , it is a masterclass in minimalist suspense — set entirely inside a single house, with no songs, and just three characters. The film's taut narrative and eerie tension earned it cult status, yet such gems remain exceptions rather than the rule in Bollywood. Reflecting on what drew her to the role, Urmila Matondkar shared, 'I think as an actor, I have always looked for challenges—bigger and greater than the ones I've faced previously. So, having had a huge hit with Rangeela and carrying the image of a glamour star, I was definitely looking to explore different avenues and try something new. And I think nothing challenges an actor more than a psychological thriller... Everything is literally in the actor's head—you're trying to bring that alive for the audience. ' She added, 'The beauty of 'Kaun?', which is also one of its biggest challenges that people often don't realize, is that I'm alone in the house. There are no lines, no dialogues to show what she's thinking or feeling. It all had to be conveyed through body language, expressions, and the overall energy—just by myself... It was both terrifying and incredibly exciting as an actor. That's what drew me in.' So why has Bollywood struggled to embrace psychological thrillers fully? And is the tide finally turning, thanks to the OTT revolution? 'ETimes' explores the journey of Bollywood's underrated psychological thrillers, their challenges, and their promising future. A Timeline of Bollywood's Psychological Thrillers Psychological thrillers in Bollywood have often come in waves, typically led by visionary directors willing to experiment. Raat (1992): One of Bollywood's earliest blends of horror and psychological suspense, 'Raat was directed by Ram Gopal Varma and starred Revathi. It remains notable for its eerie atmosphere and complex storytelling. Kaun? (1999): A defining psychological thriller made on a modest budget, Kaun? was written by Anurag Kashyap and directed by RGV. With only three characters and no songs or outdoor scenes, it subverted every Bollywood norm. The plot, which begins as a home-invasion scenario, gradually reveals that the supposed victim is, in fact, the true threat. Kashyap explained, "We wanted to create a sense of paranoia not just for the character, but for the audience too. The film had to work purely on atmosphere and suspicion.' Subtle clues — a dead cat, dream sequences, and news of a killer on the loose — only gain meaning after the twist is revealed. The eerie score by Sandeep Chowta and tight 94-minute runtime further amplify the tension. Though underappreciated at the time due to lack of songs and its unconventional form, 'Kaun?' is now regarded as a cult classic that anticipated the minimalism seen in modern digital thrillers. As Matondkar explained, 'In Stephen King 's books, there's often an entire chapter dedicated to describing what a character is going through. Here, I had just one shot. How much more challenging can it get?' She also noted, 'So today, I feel the audiences have seen many more movies and genres like this. And that's why they feel a little more comfortable with this kind of format. And they're ready to explore more. And therefore, it's really beautiful and fabulous to see how much of Gen Z also knows about Kaun? , and they have seen it, and they really are shocked if somebody hasn't seen it—who really likes good movies and, you know, things like that.' Ek Hasina Thi (2004): Directed by Sriram Raghavan and starring Urmila Matondkar and Saif Ali Khan, this film explored revenge and psychological manipulation with a gritty, noir-inspired tone. No Smoking (2007): Anurag Kashyap's allegorical thriller starred John Abraham and boldly mixed surrealism with dark themes of addiction and control. 13B : Fear Has a New Address (2009): This horror-thriller starring R Madhavan combined supernatural elements with psychological tension, marking a crossover between genres. Table No. 21 (2013): Directed by Aditya Datt, this film used the structure of a game to explore guilt and morality, blending thriller elements with social commentary. Phobia (2016): Starring Radhika Apte and directed by Pawan Kripalani, Phobia focused on agoraphobia and trauma, delivering a tightly wound psychological narrative. Andhadhun (2018): Perhaps the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed recent example, Sriram Raghavan's Andhadhun starred Ayushmann Khurrana and Tabu in a black comedy thriller that delighted audiences with its unpredictability. Raat Akeli Hai (2020): Directed by Honey Trehan, this crime thriller starring Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Radhika Apte layered mystery with psychological complexity, gaining praise on OTT platforms. Why Bollywood Has Shied Away Bollywood's traditional storytelling thrives on spectacle: vibrant songs, melodrama, and clear-cut heroes and villains. Psychological thrillers, on the other hand, depend on silence, ambiguity, and nuance — elements that can feel alien to the typical Bollywood formula. Urmila Matondkar noted, 'I definitely feel the reason this genre hasn't traditionally done well in India is because... movies like 'Kohraa', 'Woh Kaun Thi?', 'Bees Saal Baad'—even though they had thriller elements—still leaned heavily on songs, misty visuals, dark bungalows... I think filmmakers were a little wary of pushing boundaries further and diving into a clean-cut psychological horror or thriller format. ' She continued, 'That's also partly why 'Kaun?' didn't do well when it first released. People just weren't ready for a film like that... It was almost too intimate, too intense for audiences at the time.' This hesitancy extends to the market as well. Bollywood stars often avoid such films due to their risky narratives and lack of glamorous 'hero' arcs. However, actors like Urmila Matondkar, Radhika Apte, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, and Ayushmann Khurrana have bucked this trend, bringing critical acclaim to their performances in this genre. The OTT Renaissance: A New Home for Mind-Benders The rise of OTT platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+ Hotstar has sparked a new interest in psychological thrillers. These platforms offer creative freedom to filmmakers, unbound by traditional box office pressures and censorship constraints. Shows like Paatal Lok and films like Freddy and Raat Akeli Hai demonstrate the trend of intelligent thrillers, providing fresh and daring narratives that delve deep into the psyche. Still, not all episodic thrillers have delivered consistently. Several 2023 shows like Kohrra, Guns & Gulaabs, Dahaad, and even Manoj Bajpayee's Killer Soup were praised for their potential but criticized for sagging narratives and overlong formats. In contrast, compact thrillers like Kaun? remind us of the power of brevity and tight storytelling — especially when suspense is the core engine. Matondkar remarked, 'Over the years, the rise of OTT platforms and the variety of genres they offer... have really opened people's minds in ways that weren't possible back when Kaun? hit theaters.' She recalled, 'In fact, I remember it being the biggest risk of my career... One of my producers or directors even told me, 'Thank God it didn't do well,' because I played someone who's almost a psychopath... I was completely amused by that comment.' 'But yes, filmmakers' mindsets have changed, and so have audiences'. Thank God for that,' she concluded. 'Whenever any kind of work is appreciated—no matter when it happens—an actor truly looks forward to that and enjoys it deeply.' The Psychological Pull of Thrillers Psychologists point to the unique engagement psychological thrillers provoke in viewers. Ambiguity and silence create a space where viewers' imagination takes over, making the experience intensely personal and unsettling — a quality that Bollywood is only beginning to explore more consistently. Conclusion: The Dawn of a New Era? The appetite for psychological thrillers in India is growing, buoyed by sophisticated audiences and the expansive reach of digital platforms. While Bollywood has only sporadically embraced the genre, the future looks promising. If Kaun? was the spark, today's psychological thrillers could be the flame lighting the way for Bollywood's darker, more thrilling stories to take center stage. Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . 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