Urmila’s underwater birthday holiday

The Aquarian gifts herself an underwater holiday

Urmila's underwater birthday holiday

The Aquarian gifts herself an underwater holiday

Urmila Matondkar has finally taken the plunge. Literally!

The actress, in her late thirties, gifted herself a perfect underwater holiday in Koh Samui. "Being an Aquarian (she was born on February 4), I couldn't think of a better birthday than this," cooed the ecstatic water baby from the exotic location yesterday.

Can dive, can't swim

"I've been virtually living underwater for the past few days." The actress is gung-ho about her new passion, scuba diving, "Even my instructor is zapped by my enthusiasm especially since I can't swim.

I have snorkelled in Goa. Unfortunately, the water in India isn't that clean. And I was rather apprehensive to go underwater... but what better time than your birthday to let the mind conquer physical fears?"

She has been planning to learn swimming for years. "Would you believe that I've done all these supposedly sizzling water-borne scenes without knowing swimming? Once, while shooting mid-ocean, the boat capsized and I nearly drowned. That's when I decided I have to swim.

I decided to take the plunge anyway. You know me. For now, the only man in my life is my scuba diving instructor."

Not a birthday person

The birthday girl has been running away from the city on her birthday for the last few years. She laughs, "Yes, each year I go underground on my birthday. This year I'll be underwater. I'm not a birthday person. For years my father has made charitable donations on my birthday.

To me that means more than any celebration. Friends wonder why I'm so thanda about my birthday. But I just can't go around skipping and dancing about it. Though my screen persona is of an aggressive person, I'm basically shy. I find it hard to show my excitement."

Urmila was to spend her birthday in Ne York but since it is snowed under, she changed the destination. I love that city. But it's snowed under. I prefer the water to snow."