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Urmila Matondkar adds glamour to Nepal's gaming industry

August 12, 2006

Kathmandu, Bollywood's oomph girl Urmila Matondkar, who joined the ranks of the mega-billion film industry's sex symbols with director Ram Gopal Varma's 1995 hit "Rangeela", now has a new role lined up in Nepal - adding glamour to Nepal's gaming industry.

The actress, who's known as much for her versatile acting as her sizzling guest appearances in films like "China Gate", where she outshone the leading ladies, will make a special appearance Saturday at Kathmandu's newest casino, Casino Shangri-la, to inaugurate the gala opening.

Focusing on wooing visitors from India and Bangladesh, Casino Shangri-la is aiming to create its unique identity among the capital's seven casinos by offering glamour and entertainment along with gaming.

"In India, you can't meet celebrities just like that," says Shalini Wadhwa, chief executive officer at Casino Shangri-la. "But here, you can."

Guests at the casino can have a photo session with Urmila and lively interaction. After the grand opening, Wadhwa plans to get more celebs from India.

Wadhwa, who also runs two magazines in Nepal, Boss and the Voice of Women, and has a network of contacts extending from New Delhi to Sri Lanka, roped in mutual friends to invite Urmila and since the actress was free, she consented.

Nepal's tourism industry, hit by a 10-year-old communist insurgency and then, last year, acute political turmoil after King Gyanendra seized power, got a respite this summer after the king stepped down and the new government and the rebels called a ceasefire.

"Starting from Saturday, it's going to be a long weekend in India with Tuesday being a national holiday there because of the Indian Independence Day," says Wadhwa.

Nepal, India's closest neighbour, is already reaping the fruits of the vacation.

"The flights (to Nepal) are full, the hotels are booked, Casino Shangri-la already has a sizeable group of Indian visitors," says Wadhwa.

"We are hoping Urmila Matondkar's visit will also send out the message to India that Nepal is a safe destination once again."

While people would flock to the casino to see the Bollywood star, one of the reasons why Urmila came to Nepal is to visit the famed Pashupatinath temple, one of the holiest sites for Hindus, Buddhists and Jains alike.

The actress, who arrived Friday evening and would depart Sunday, would visit the shrine, which, before her has been visited by other Indian celebrities like Jaya Bachchan and her son, Abhishek.

Nepal under ceasefires exerts a strong draw on Bollywood. Three years ago, during the last truce, Bollywood superstar Govinda and Priyanka Chopra came to Nepal for a shooting while Karisma Kapoor sought a brief low profile respite here from the troubles in her career as well as love life.

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