Special interview with Gentleman team

Ram Gopal Varma has finally broken his silence on the long-standing rumours about his alleged relationship with Urmila Matondkar, calling her one of the most “versatile actresses” he has ever collaborated with. The duo delivered some of the most memorable films of the 1990s and early 2000s, including Rangeela, Daud, Satya, and Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya, which cemented their reputation as a successful actor–director pair.

In a recent interaction with Zoom, RGV said, “I think she is the most versatile actress, that is why I worked with her in so many films. I’ve worked with Amitabh Bachchan more, but nobody talks about that.” He further explained that link-up rumours were simply a byproduct of how the industry and social media operate, adding that such speculation is unavoidable when two people collaborate frequently.

During the peak of their association, gossip about RGV’s closeness with Urmila was widespread, with some reports even claiming that the rumours caused tension between him and his then-wife Ratna Varma. In his book Guns & Thighs: The Story of My Life, Ram Gopal Varma dedicated an entire chapter to Urmila, titled “Women in My Life,” where he admitted being struck by her beauty and talent — qualities that inspired him to cast her in Rangeela.

Released on September 8, 1995, Rangeela featured Urmila Matondkar alongside Aamir Khan and Jackie Shroff. The story follows Mili, an aspiring actress whose life transforms when both a superstar and her childhood friend fall in love with her. The film’s soundtrack, composed by A.R. Rahman, delivered timeless hits like “Kya Kare,” “Tanha Tanha,” “Hai Rama,” “Mangta Hai Kya,” and “Pyaar Yeh Jaane Kaise.”

A huge commercial success, Rangeela became the fourth-highest-grossing film of 1995 and remains one of the defining works in both RGV’s and Urmila’s careers.