Urmila Matondkar: Khoobsurat @ 40

Rangeela girl Urmila Matondkar's meteoric rise to stardom remains one of Bollywood's biggest success stories. The actress has delivered memorable performances in movies like Satya, Judaai, Jungle and Ek Haseena Thhi among others. The glamorous Urmila, who is often spotted on the social circuit now, celebrates her 40th birthday today.

NDTV toasts the actress with a pictorial recap through her sparkling career.

Urmila Matondkar was born on February 4, 1974 in Mumbai to a lecturer father and home-maker mother. Urmila's career on screen started early as a child star in Shyam Benegal's 1981 film Kalyug. She was seven at the time and appeared with an impressive cast including Shashi Kapoor and Rekha in Mr Benegal's modern adaptation of the Mahabharata.

At nine, Urmila appeared in Shekhar Kapur's Masoom (1983), finding instant fame. She was cast opposite Naseeruddin Shah, Shabana Azmi and fellow child star Jugal Hansraj.

Five years later, she appeared in her first grown-up role in Bade Ghar Ki Beti which entirely passed the box office by and later followed it up with equally pedestrian Narsimha.

Urmila's career making hit was Chamatkar, in which she was romanced by none other than Shah Rukh Khan.

Her dream partnership with director Ram Gopal Varma started with the bilingual film Antham, later remade in Hindi as Drohi (1992).

But real stardom came her way in the form of the blockbuster Rangeela (1995), directed by RGV and co-starring Aamir Khan and Jackie Shroff. Rangeela made Urmila B-town's next big thing and she also snagged her first Filmfare nomination.

Urmila wasn't so lucky with directors other than RGV. Guddu Dhanoa's Aflatoon (1997) bombed, but she did scoop a Filmfare nomination for Best Supporting Actress for Raj Kanwar's Judaai (1997) opposite Anil Kapoor and Sridevi.

Urmila upped temperatures in RGV's Daud (1997) with Sanjay Dutt.

1998 saw the winning combination produce what was to be RGV's most acclaimed film – the gritty underworld drama Satya. Satya guaranteed Urmila a top spot in the filmy hierarchy.

This was followed by Kaun (1999), which raked in average earnings but eventually attained cult status and is now considered one of Indian cinema's best-made thrillers. RGV and Urmila also made the unimpressiveMast in 1999.

But 2000's Jungle's hit run at the box-office showed what the hoo-hah about the two was all about. Opposite Fardeen Khan, Urmila earned herself a place in the critics' lists

Urmila's performance as a villain in Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya (2001) sent a chill down movie-goers' spines and fetched Urmila nominations at both the Filmfare and Star Screen awards.

The year 2004 belonged to Urmila. Under RGV's direction, horror flick Bhoot won her the Filmfare award for Critic's Choice, Star Screen Best Actress, Apsara Best Actress, Zee Cine Awards Best Actress , Bollywood Movie Awards Best Actress, Rajiv Gandhi Memorial Awards for Achievement in Bollywood.

An equally powerful performance in Ek Hasina Thi failed to get her awards the next year, but is very well remembered to date.

After Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Mara (2005), the talented actress was reduced to working in movies like Karzzz (2008). She recently did voice work in 2012's animated movie Delhi Safari.

In 2013, Urmila was seen in a Marathi movie Ajoba. She also played a music teacher in the small budget film Life Mein Hungama Hai.

Urmila tried her luck on the small screen too. She was the judge of the dance reality show Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa in 2007. She was also seen as the host of the music reality show - Waar Pariwaar.

Urmila is nowadays seen in the social circuit. She was seen at the Times of India Film Awards (TOIFA 2013) and at the Saif Belhasa Holdings Masala Awards on 29th Nov 2013.
She was also seen supporting friend, Manish Malhotra at his showing at LFW A/W 2013.

Urmila Matondkar is also the brand endorser for several brands, including Pataka Tea and Aamby Valley.

Here's wishing the sultry actress a very happy birthday and happier times ahead.