Ram Gopal Varma has finally addressed long-standing rumours about his alleged relationship with Urmila Matondkar, praising her as one of the most “versatile actresses” he has ever worked with.
The filmmaker and Urmila created some of the most memorable films of the 1990s and early 2000s, including Rangeela, Daud, Satya, and Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya.
Speaking to Zoom, RGV said, “I think she is the most versatile actress, that is why I worked with her in so many films. I have worked with Amitabh Bachchan more, but nobody talks about that.”
He added that link-up rumours were a product of how “the system” and social media function, suggesting that speculation is inevitable when two people collaborate frequently.
The Rumours and Their Impact
During the peak of their professional association, gossip about RGV’s growing closeness to Urmila became widespread.
Some reports even suggested the rumours created tension between the filmmaker 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.”
In it, he admitted being captivated by her beauty and talent, which inspired him to cast her in Rangeela.
The iconic film was re-released in a 4K restored version on November 28, 2025.
About Rangeela
Originally released on September 8, 1995, Rangeela starred Urmila Matondkar alongside Aamir Khan and Jackie Shroff.
The film follows Mili, an aspiring actress whose life changes dramatically when a superstar (Shroff) and her childhood friend (Aamir) fall in love with her.
The soundtrack, composed by A.R. Rahman, produced evergreen hits like Kya Kare, Tanha Tanha, Hai Rama, Mangta Hai Kya, and Pyaar Yeh Jaane Kaise.
A massive box-office 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.