Sometimes a film becomes more than a film, it becomes a feeling you can return to. That’s exactly what Aamir Khan, Jackie Shroff and Urmila Matondkar starrer Rangeela has been for an entire generation.
As the cult classic completed 30 years and returned to theatres in a celebratory re-release, the nostalgia surrounding it has washed over audiences and the cast alike. For Urmila Matondkar who played the unforgettable Mili, revisiting the film feels like stepping into a page of her own life that still sparkles.
Talking about the milestone, Urmila shared that the word Rangeela alone is enough to bring a rush of emotions. It reminds her of joy, excitement and the thrill that surrounded the film when it first released. She recalls how the movie created a world that stayed with people long after they walked out of theatres. Even today, she says, fans still call her by her character’s name at airports, a gesture she finds both surprising and heartwarming.
For her, the film’s lasting connection lies in its universality. Rangeela told the story of a girl with big dreams, someone who was ordinary in circumstances but extraordinary in ambition. Urmila Matondkar believes people related to Mili because they saw their own struggles and aspirations reflected in her, especially in a city where countless dreamers arrive with hopes of changing their lives.
At the time of filming, Urmila was focused on doing her absolute best. She laughs as she remembers working alongside Aamir Khan and Jackie Shroff, two stars she admired deeply. Acting with them, she says, felt surreal, especially with AR Rahman’s now-iconic music elevating every frame. She never thought about pressure or expectations, she simply wanted to deliver a performance worthy of the world she was stepping into.
Urmila Matondkar also reflected on the simplicity with which Rangeela was made. In an era when Bollywood was obsessed with grand Swiss backgrounds, the film was shot almost entirely in Mumbai, except for a single song filmed in Goa. There were no flashy budgets or extravagant locations, just a heartfelt story, memorable music and characters people couldn’t stop rooting for. She believes the film’s longevity proves that storytelling always comes first, everything else is just an accessory.
When asked whether Rangeela should be remade, Urmila responded with her signature calm and clarity. She feels cinema belongs to everyone — to the makers, the audience and anyone who chooses to reinterpret a story. Once an actor performs a role and it is captured on film, she says, it becomes bigger than the person who played it. That’s why she does not hold on to her past work obsessively. If someone wants to remake Rangeela, she has no objections. What matters, she believes, is whether the audience feels the new version does justice to the spirit of the original.
Three decades later, Rangeela continues to live in people’s hearts, not just as a film but as a moment in time. And with Urmila’s fond recollections adding warmth to its legacy, it’s clear that the magic of Rangeela is still very much alive.
