op Bollywood actress adds glamour to gambling

August 14, 2006
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Urmila Matondkar, the Bollywood’s popular actress, opened Casino Shangri-la in the Nepali capital by lighting the traditional lamp Saturday evening.

Urmila Matondkar, the Bollywood’s popular actress (Photo source: webindia123.com)

Urmila Matondkar, a leading actress of Bollywood (Photo source: webindia123.com)
Wearing white sleeveless t-shirt with colourful Punjabi Lehenga, Urmila gave a killer smile while opening the seventh casino of Nepal in the premises of Hotel Shangri-La at Lazimpat, Kathmandu amidst hundreds of guests including some 100 veteran players from India, PTI news agency reported.

“It’s a lovely country with warm and friendly people”, she said just after the inaugural ceremony. “I will be back soon, it’s an absolutely wonderful country,” she remarked.

“I would go back and tell people of India and other artists to visit this beautiful country,” she said when asked how she would promote tourism in Nepal.

When asked if she was fond of casino games, the ever-smiling Indian actress said she would like to learn how to play games.

Urmila, who reached the height of popularity with her debut film Rangeela in the mid- 90s did not give any performance this time but enthusiastically watched others performing dance in tune with Hindi music “Kanta Laga”. She visited Swoyambhunath, the famous Buddhist Stupa at the outskirt of Kathmandu and also holy Hindu Temple Pashupatinath during her three day stay.

Her diamond ring was sparkling when she was signing autograph to dozens of fans at the casino. Urmila was invited by the casino for its business promotion targeting cash-heavy Indian players. She was accompanied by her event manager Mickey Sibal.

The four storey casino with its 400 plus well trained staff is targeting Indian as well as Bangladeshi visitors. “Our emphasis is quality service and customer satisfaction”, said Nyla Ashrof, Human Resources Director at the casino.

Hotel Shangri-La

Hotel Shangri-La (File Photo)
The casino offers entertainment and glamour besides a variety of games such as Black Jack, Baccarat, Roulette, Paplu, Flush. Shalini Wadhwa, an Indian national is the Executive Director, who also owns a sizable stake in the casino. When asked whether seven casino could survive in a small metropolis like Kathmandu, she said, “it is an old thinking, we hope to receive more new clients with our intensified marketing campaign in India and Bangladesh.”

Nepal hopes to boost its ailing tourism industry after the Maoists declared ceasefire and engaged in peace talks with the government to restore democracy and durable peace, the news report said.