रंगीला@30, जैकी ने उर्मिला को पहनाई अपनी गंजी: कहा- यूनीक लुक चाहिए था, रामू बोले थे- ट्रेंड एक्टर होता तो क्लाइमैक्स बिगड़ जाता

The film ‘Rangeela’, directed by Ram Gopal Varma, still holds a special place among the audience due to its attractive music, hit songs and heart-touching story. Aamir Khan, Jackie Shroff and Urmila Matondkar played lead roles in this film. ‘Rangeela’ not only achieved success at the box office but also inspired the new young generation.

The film offered a new perspective on love, aspiration and the struggles of life. This film is still remembered as a classic in the history of films, which gave a new direction to the Indian film industry. After 30 years, this film has been released again in theaters today i.e. on 28 November 2025 in 4K HD restored version.

On completion of 30 years of Rangeela, actor Jackie Shroff, who played the character of Raj Kamal in the film, spoke to Dainik Bhaskar. Today read some interesting stories related to Rangeela in his own words.

Ramu felt that I was not interested in Rangeela’s story.

Many people say that when someone talks to us, our attention is somewhere else, but in reality it is not so. We all listen, just our way is a little different. Now one cannot sit looking someone in the eye for three hours.

When someone is speaking, we listen quietly. Those who give expressions like “yes-yes”, “good” in between, they appear to be liars.

Our habit is that when we listen, we just listen carefully, quietly. Just as while eating, we concentrate completely on eating, in the same way, while listening to a conversation, we concentrate completely on listening. Similar thing happened during the time of Rangeela also. When Ramu was narrating the story of the film, he felt that I was not concentrating on listening to the story, but seeing my reaction he understood that I was completely involved.

I liked it very much when Ramu narrated the story. I liked the emotion of the story, so I immediately said yes. I had faith in Ramu’s direction and also felt connected to my character. I had full confidence in the technician, so I did the film.

Had he been a trained actor, he might have spoiled the climax scene.

People often discuss the climax scene of ‘Rangeela’. Ramu had said that even big method actors could not give that expression. I don’t believe this. Actually I didn’t do anything, I just felt that moment. The character was heartbroken, but chose to smile at the happiness of others.

Ramu explained the scene, but I felt the same from inside. Music, story and shots together complete that expression. Didn’t overact much, just kept emotions balanced. Ramu had said that if I had been a very trained actor, I might have spoiled the scene.

I consider every new actor as my child.

Actress Urmila Matondkar has many memorable scenes with Jackie Shroff in Rangeela. Urmila’s excellent chemistry with Jackie is much talked about. Urmila often praises Jackie’s kindness and says that she made him feel comfortable.

Jackie Shroff told- When I was new in the industry, Dev Anand Sahab gave me a chance to play the third villain in the film ‘Swami Dada’. Shakti Kapoor became Sahab’s third chamcha. I was very nervous and was not able to act properly. When I made a mistake during an action scene, the fight master got angry, but Dev Saheb said, “Take it easy, he is a new boy, he will learn.”

That day I learned patience and love for seniors. Since then, I consider every new actor as my child, because when I was new, I too was loved in the same way.

Jackie’s style and swag are often discussed in AR Rahman’s songs. Especially when he picked up Urmila and spun her around. Remembering that scene, Jackie laughs and says – At that time, Saroj Khan ji, Ahmed and many dance directors were there, but some moves are made automatically. Even today people talk about that scene, it feels good.

Jackie had made Urmila wear her ganji to create a unique and fresh look.

Urmila danced wearing Jackie Shroff’s ganji in the scene of the song ‘Tanha Tanha’ from ‘Rangeela’. Jackie says- We had to create a unique and fresh look in that song. That’s why I gave my hair to Urmila.

true emotions never change

Even after 30 years, Rangeela is relevant. Jackie says- This film has everything. Love, emotions, music and beauty. Its music even today seems to be from a later time, the choreography was amazing. The look, feel and heart of the film still seem new. Technical things have changed, but human emotions do not change.

Good films never become old, like ‘Mughal-e-Azam’ or ‘Mother India’ still looks new. This is the reason why this film also always seems fresh, because it has true emotions, which never change.

Rajesh Joshi played the character of Pakiya in Rangeela, he died in a car accident at the age of 29. Neeraj Vohra wrote the dialogues of the film. Apart from this he played a small role of a drunkard. In October 2016, Neeraj Vora suffered a heart attack and brain stroke, after which he went into a coma. After being in coma for about 10 months, he breathed his last on the morning of 14 December 2017.

Saroj Khan choreographed songs like “Tanha Tanha” and “Hai Rama”. He died of a heart attack on 3 July 2020. Reema Lagoo played the role of Urmila Matondkar’s mother. He also died of a heart attack on 17 May 2017. Achyut Poddar played the role of Urmila Matondkar’s father in the film Rangeela.

He died on 18 August 2025 at the age of 90. Nitin Desai did the art direction in Rangeela. He committed suicide on 2 August 2023. Cinematographer W. B. Rao died on the morning of 16 January 2018 in Mumbai.

Time passes, only memories remain

Jackie Shroff says- Many people have left, Rao Saheb, Neeraj Bhaiya, Pakiya. Everyone was good friends. Time passes, nothing is known. Cry for a few days, then move on. So just love each other, laugh, live as long as we are there. Neeraj Bhai was an amazing writer. Man, what a talented person he was.

Like Rangeela’s Munna in real life

Aamir Khan was seen in the role of a tapori named Munna in ‘Rangeela’. For this role, he worked hard on the language, dialect, look and expression of the real Taporis. Jackie played the character of a superstar in the film, while the character like Munna is reflected in the personality of Jackie Shroff.

Jackie says- Hey brother, I am the same Munna in real life. A street guy, simple, open-spoken, but I kept getting superstar roles only. Sometimes a police officer, sometimes a hero. He played similar roles in Sapne Saajan Ke, Lajja, Ram Lakhan, Khalnayak. In reality I am a desi person, but I become a superstar on screen.

Jackie doesn’t watch his movies

Ram Gopal Varma had said that he does not think that Jackie Shroff has ever watched any of his films completely, especially he probably did not watch the film ‘Rangeela’ completely. Jackie says- That is correct. Have not seen the film, but while dubbing I definitely watch wherever dubbing has to be done.

Meaning, we get to know what is happening in the scene, but then we don’t get time to sit and watch the entire movie, so what movie should I watch now?

People used to say that Jackie is a non-actor

On receiving the Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award for ‘Rangeela’, Jackie says – Hey man, the award means a lot. People gave love, liked, that is the real thing. Then they said – give the best supporting actor to Jackie, then I said okay. Everyone is a good actor, everyone deserves it, but it has to be given to only one person. So he gave it in my hand, I also took it. Come on brother! Earlier people used to say that Jackie is not an actor but a non-actor. Even now they say the same thing.