I wish to play Salman Khan's Mom in the future: Urmila Sharma

Tell us something about yourself?

I love to dance and I am a good dancer. I would like to play all kind of roles in future in films too. I belong to a Marwari family and I used to be in ghoonghat even five years back before entering the field of acting.

How did you start off with your acting career?

I always wanted to do something in life due to which people can know me by my name. I was married at an early age so I couldn't get a chance to do anything in life but now my husband has given me the permission to go ahead in life. Then, I came to Mumbai to live my dreams without any contacts in this industry. I keep giving auditions and I got Sai Baba as my first show followed by Prithviraj Chauhan from the same production house. Then I did Paap Punya Ka Lekha Jokha on DD which was a positive character. I did my very first show for Colors which was Jeevansaathi. Then, I did many shows like Balika Vadhu, Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai, Shobha Somnath Ki and now I am doing Diya Aur Baati Hum. I am also now set to enter Punar Vivah as a matchmaker. People used to demoralize me when I came to Mumbai saying that it's not easy to survive in this industry without any contacts but whatever I have done, I did it through giving auditions.  

Having done so many shows, which show according to you has been a turning point for your career?

It has to be Rukmini of Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai! I loved and enjoyed shooting for my character in Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai.

Did you find any difficulty while portraying any particular character?

No, I never had any difficulty in portraying any character. I need to understand my character the very first day and then, I can go ahead with my character. It's like a God gift for me that I can comfortably play any kind of character.  

How did you bag Ranjhana?

I got to know about the auditions going on for the movie so I went there. I was not given any script. They told me about the scene and I prepared my script by my own. They liked my performance and I got selected.

You have played the Dhanush's mom in the movie, how was the experience working with him?

I enjoyed a lot working with him. He is a superstar of South but he doesn't have any attitude problem. He is a lovely, very co-operative and a down to earth guy.

Any memorable incident you would like to share with us while shooting with him?

There was a scene where he comes home after playing Holi and I am bathing him and he gets up and starts dancing in between and makes me also dance along with him. I enjoyed a lot while shooting for this sequence but unfortunately, the scene has been edited from the movie.

What has been the response by the industry?

I have got a very good response from the industry. It was a small role which I have played in the movie but people have recognized me and liked my acting. I have got few more offers for movies.

Any regrets doing the film and are you looking out for more Bollywood offer?

I am ready to play any kind of good roles in movies whether positive or negative. I have one wish, which is to play Salman Khan's mom in some movie (laughs). I said this to Salmanji when he came on the sets of Diya Aur Baati Hum. I am ready to look very much older than my age but I want to play the character of his Mom once (laughs).

Are you happy with your role in the movie?

Yes, I am happy with my role but I would have been happier if some of the scenes wouldn't have got edited but we can't blame anyone because it was the demand of the film. The director and the team was very good to work with and the movie became a hit so, I am happy. I am a strong follower of God Shiva and we shot for the movie in Banaras. I prayed to Shivji for the movie to become a hit and God has listened to my prayers.

Was this your first movie?

No. I have earlier played the neighbor of Lara Dutta in the movie Billu Barbar which was a very small role.

What is the difference between working for TV and films? Which is more satisfying creatively?

You can't showcase your acting talent while doing television because you have some limitations. You get an opportunity to showcase your talent while doing movies. You keep on playing one character while doing a daily soap but if you are doing movies, then you get to play a lot of characters.

How has been your journey so far?

The journey has been very nice and enjoyable. I have entered this industry without any Godfather, which is like an award for me. I was not on the scene earlier and now people recognize me, which is a big achievement for me.

 

How does it feel to be a part of the TRP leader show Diya Aur Baati Hum?

It feels really nice to be a part of the show. People know me as Daaisa. The production house and team is very nice to work with. We enjoy as well as work too.

Any regrets so far?

I was offered the role of Bahuri Bhaujai in Balika Vadhu at the same time when I got Jeevansaathi. I had to go to Palampur for the shooting of Jeevansaathi and at the same time, I had to go to Jodhpur to shoot for Balika Vadhu. Then, I had to choose one role between the two. So, I choose my role in Jeevansaathi. I regret a little bit about it because I could have got more popularity after playing the character of Bahuri Bhaujai in Balika Vadhu. Later, I played a cameo in Balika Vadhu in which I played the mother-in-law of Phooli, which was a negative character.

 

I have one more regret, which is that when I came to Mumbai, I used to think that if I will work in television, I will become more popular. I entered this field to gain fame; not money. I was offered a movie Rafoochakkar when I came to Mumbai but I declined the offer because I was not confident enough to go ahead with it so, I started trying out for serials. Now, I regret that if I could have done that movie, I might have got many more offers for movies.  

You have worked in television as well as in movies. What will be your preference in future?

I am open to both the mediums with all kind of characters.

How do you balance between your personal and professional life?

The kids are very supportive so, I manage my personal and professional life very easily.

What kind of roles you would like to play in future?

I would like to play negative characters in future. I don't want to get typecast. I would love to try out playing all kind of roles in future but it must be a strong character.

Anwesha Kamal