Iama proud 47-yearold: Urmila Matondkar

Birthdays, for Urmila Matondkar, are never about turning a year older. In fact, she takes it in her stride. “Sometimes, people troll me by calling me ‘aunty’. I want to tell them with folded hands, if you’re trying to make me feel bad about it, I’m not. Each one of those years, as long as it’s adding a lot to your life, bringing more in terms of life itself, it’s glorious!” says the actor, who turns 47 today.

Matondkar adds that one learns to appreciate things more as the years go by. “Those who’re probably not adding to their lives in terms of qualitative good might be feeling sad (laughs), but no comment or judgment on them. I’m busy making the most of what life has put in front of me,” she says.

Her plans for the day include a distribution drive for the underprivileged, and for the first time, a Facebook and Instagram live session for her fans. “I’m excited for other people’s birthdays, and busy making plans for them. Since childhood, social work has been engraved into me and my older brother. Our parents used to tell us to donate the money we got to institutions. There are many across Maharashtra, like Baba Amte’s Anandvan. They’d say these people need it more than us,” she recalls.

And after getting into films, birthdays were never the same. “There was no time! I’ve worked through Diwalis, New Years, everything. Today, it’s very exciting to see people reacting to my birthday with my songs being played, fans showing so much love. Even this interview, I’m doing for those fans (laughs), to whom I’m eternally grateful!” she gushes.