Urmila Matondkar, one of the beloved actresses of the 90s, gave us many memorable performances, but one that still resonates is her iconic dance in the song ‘Chhamma Chhamma’ from the 1998 movie China Gate. The song might have outshone the film itself, and till today, it continues to be associated with Urmila’s brilliant performance. The dance, the expressions, and most notably, her extravagant Banjara-inspired look, are still celebrated. What most people don’t know is how much effort, pain, and weight went into creating that iconic look.
Heavy jewelry to create a stunning Banjara look
In a TV appearance, Urmila revealed that the heavy jewelry she wore for the song was an essential part of creating the Banjara look. She wore a staggering 15 kg of jewelry. During the photo shoot for the song, the film’s director, Rajkumar Santoshi, questioned if the jewelry was too much. However, Urmila felt that the authentic Banjara vibe needed all that weight, and thus, she stuck with it. But this decision proved challenging as the shoot went on.
Detailed breakdown of the 15 kg jewelry
The weight and detail of the jewelry played a massive role in the overall aesthetic. Urmila’s hair was styled with a center-parted braid, adorned with a matha patti, which had tiny ghungroos and a traditional accessory called a bodla on top. Underneath the matha patti, she also wore beads, adding more depth to the look. Her earrings were huge and heavy, contributing to the pain she endured during the shoot.
Her necklace was just as elaborate, with layers of beads. She wore an ornate choker that extended down to her blouse. Her arms were decorated with embossed bracelets and armlets, while her hands sparkled with rings and other accessories. The weight of all this combined with the heavy anklets made the entire look feel like a workout.
The iconic 5 kg Lehenga
Urmila’s outfit was as extraordinary as her jewelry. She wore a 5 kg lehenga that was a mix of black and red with mirror work, stars, and other shiny details. The lehenga had a red and purple border that added color and vibrance to her look, while her blouse was a matching red, making the entire ensemble stand out on screen.
The heavy fabric made it difficult to move around easily, but despite this, Urmila danced gracefully. The lehenga contributed significantly to her Banjara look, adding authenticity to the character she was portraying.
The makeup that completed the look
No traditional look is complete without makeup, and Urmila’s makeup was carefully designed to enhance her Banjara vibe. Her eyes were decorated with bold designs, including an arrow-like shape near her eyes, which brought out her striking features. She wore three small bindis on her chin and a black bindi on her forehead. Her eyeshadow was glossy, perfectly paired with eyeliner, and her lips were a soft pink, bringing together the earthy, tribal feel of the look.
Shooting struggles: The pain behind the beauty
The weight of the jewelry and lehenga wasn’t the only challenge for Urmila. During the shoot, her heavy earrings would often hit her face whenever she turned her head, causing sharp pain. She later admitted that it felt like she was being slapped. By the end of the song, she had multiple scratches on her body due to the weight and friction of the accessories.
Despite the pain and discomfort, Urmila’s dedication and performance turned ‘Chhamma Chhamma’ into an iconic song.
