FROM portraying a seductive and innocent slum girl to playing a psychopathic killer or a possessed woman, Urmila Matondkar has done it all. She had a huge string of flops... until 'Rangeela' happened. Her looks, hair, clothes, attitude... everything went in for a complete transformation, thanks in a large part to dress designer Manish Malhotra and make-up whiz Mickey Contractor. To her credit, the Maharashtrian beauty worked harder, constantly innovating herself. After her stunning performance as the lady possessed in Bhoot, Urmilla is back with Pinjar, setting the clock back by more than half a century with her portrayal of a victim of Partition of India based on the famous Amrita Pritam novel. Here are some excerpts of an interview.

I have gone into every detail of the period- from the clothes, to body language to the ambience of the era. Moreover, I read a lot on the plight of women abducted during Partition. I also read a collection of stories based on Partition. This was a very conscious effort, simply because I have been associated with modern roles.

No. I didn't want to mix up the script and the novel.Recently, you even visited Wagah at the Indo-Pak border?Right. Women there have gone through many of the experiences that my character goes through in Pinjar. Indian history hasn't really recorded the pain and suffering of the women who were used as pawns in the vendetta game during Partition. Abduction and rape were only the beginning of these women's' trauma. Many such women were impregnated and had nowhere to go.

My character in Pinjar' goes through the harrowing experience of being abducted during Partition. When she escapes and manages to return to her family, they shun her. Think of it, the issue of social stigmas and ostracisation of women 60 years ago is just as relevant today. Women still have to constantly prove their innocence and assert their right to dignity in our patriarchal society.

I can't tell you how moved I am. I don't think any film has or will make as much difference to me as a human being, actress and a woman as Pinjar has done. We actors in Bollywood exist in a cocoon that is far removed from real world. Pinjar awakened me to the reality that most women face. We just have to step out of Mumbai or step out of our cars to see how women at the grassroots live (pauses). We don't know about the wounds of Partition. We don't know that those haven't healed still. We have just read history books. I was a very good student and scored very high in History, but the books don't tell you each and every detail. Unless and until you see those wounds in person, you will not feel sensitised. You know what I mean? I am sorry if I am sounding fairy-tailish, but a beginning has to be made to eradicate all conflicts arising due to religion.

Difficult to say. As a human being, I got the opportunity to realise something and make a statement. Hope that people realise when they see it.

That I don't know, but I would love to see Pinjar being screened in Pakistan. It is minus any bias, colour, etc.