Words: Deepali Singh
In between our chat on the phone, as she makes her way to her mother’s residence in the car, Raveena Tandon cuts our conversation to offer a lift to a stranger. “There’s a young mother with her baby and it’s pouring out here!” she tells us. This little interruption gives us more insight into the gorgeous actress, than all our chat put together. Raveena is definitely more than just a pretty face in the film industry. Fearless and vocal about her thoughts, the actress who made her debut in Bollywood with Patthar Ke Phool in 1991, sizzled in movies like Dilwale and Mohra and gave us food for thought with social dramas like Shool, Daman, Satta, and more recently, Maatr, is currently judging the dance reality show Nach Baliye. There’s a lot more to expect from Raveena, who is also producing web shows and looking forward to doing some varied roles on the big screen.
How’s the experience of Nach Baliye?
This is the first time I’m judging adults and honestly, adults are more complicated than kids, as they have very fragile egos. Judging is a tough job, but I’m enjoying every bit of it. There’s a lot of fun and good spirit around.
Whether it’s the lines from the song Chull that go ‘Matak matak jaise Raveena Tandon’ or Alia Bhatt paying you a tribute wearing a yellow sari or the remix version of Sheher Ki Ladki which also features you, you have remained relevant through the years…
(Laughs) I guess I have been lucky with my songs and also, I have done a varied body of work. People remember my films like Shool or Daman, and for cult movies like Andaz Apna Apna. They remember me for songs like Mast Mast, Sheher Ki Ladki, and others. I guess it’s the hard work I’ve done that I’ve had this kind of longevity span.
Talking about yellow saris, nobody before you or after you have managed to look so gorgeous in it as you did in Tip Tip Barsa Pani. Did you ever think that the song and the sari would become so iconic?
Honestly, no! Mast Mast was a bigger hit at that time. Viju Shah is a brilliant music composer and his music was much ahead of its time, that’s why Tip Tip is so big even today. I think it’s his music one should give complete credit to. As for the yellow sari, I meet so many men who say, ‘you were our childhood crush!’ (laughs). I was just wearing the sari and a few yellow bangles in the song. It was all expressions and dance. The choreographer, Rekha ji did such a wonderful job. My knees were completely bruised because I was wearing a sari and couldn’t wear knee pads. It was a construction site and I was dancing bare-feet with 102 degrees fever! Lekin mehnat ka phal meetha hota hai, so I think the ‘mehnat’ I did then, worked.
RAVEENA TANDON, You are quite vocal and fearless on social media about your concerns…
‘Sab darr Jayenge toh’, how will we see the change that we want to see? Ultimately this is the country and planet we are leaving behind for our children. I think it’s our moral responsibility to speak up. My causes have been to do with women, children, and animals. I have said this before, that the biggest enemy of humanity is the human race. You have to be the change you want to see. It’s a clichéd line but true.
RAVEENA TANDON,You have done a wide range of movies, from comedy to romance and social dramas. Which are the roles that have challenged you?
When people used to ask me if doing realistic cinema is tough, I would say it’s the easiest. You are not loaded with two kilos of make-up or wearing heavy ghaghra cholis. You’re wearing a simple cotton sari and all you have to do is look into the camera and emote. I enjoyed my work in Shool and Daman. The only time I was stressed out was during Satta. There was such a range of emotions in that, from being a sensitive person to becoming a hardcore, scheming politician. That was challenging, but that’s also what excites me. In fact, I really look forward to playing an out and out evil role. That’s something I have never done.
RAVEENA TANDON,Do you regret not doing any films?
I don’t have time for regrets. I believe everyone has their own destiny. Every decision is taken, personal or professional, has led me to where I am in life. Otherwise, I could have had more iconic songs in my career. Chaiyya Chaiyya was offered to me by Mani sir. Darr was offered to me. Director Oliver Stone was making a film and they asked me for a showreel. Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, who I was working with that time in Aks, made one for me. I didn’t do the movie because there was a lovemaking scene I wasn’t comfortable with. So there are many reasons for which I have not done certain films or songs. If I had done them, I don’t know what path I would have taken after that. But I’m happy and content today and thankful to God for whatever has been given to me.
What kind of roles do you wish to do now?
I have always kept experimenting. I did Maatr and now, I want to do a full-on comedy.
Would you want to direct a film at some point?
Right now, with Nach Baliye going on and producing some web shows, my hands are full. I’m also in talks with some films I’m looking to sign. Direction, not yet!
You were and still remain one of the most beautiful women in the film industry. Any secret?
It’s love, happiness, and living life by my own rules. Firstly, I think it is genetics and I have to thank my parents for it. Secondly, a healthy lifestyle is very important. I have never been a smoker or a heavy drinker. I don’t party till late hours. And when it comes to exercise, I walk, I swim, and do a bit of yoga.
RAPID FIRE
Biggest fear: Losing my loved ones
My go-to-restaurants: Gajalee and Urban Tadka
I never leave home without My cell phone and my specs
A genre of films I love watching: Thriller
I cook when… It’s time to take the family out for dinner and nobody is agreeing. I threaten to cook then! But I’m a fluke artiste. Whatever I do cook, ends up well!
My idea of a perfect date: Going on a long drive and getting out of Mumbai!
A recent film you wish you had been a part of Bahubali
Favorite travel destination: Any remote village in Switzerland
Current actors you admire: I think Alia Bhatt has improved by leaps and bounds. Deepika is one of my favorites and among the guys, it’s Ranveer Singh.
If a biopic was being made on you, who would you want to play you? Arey me only ya! I’m alive and kicking, why should anyone else play me? (laughs)
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