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Raveena: Actress
turned activist The National
Award she received recently marked her successful transition to
a 'serious' actress and she is also into producing with her firm
'Reel Life'. Two films have already been released with another scheduled
for release shortly. Speaking to
The Sunday Times last week, Raveena opened the door a little, on
herself-the woman, not the image. So how did
Raveena, the actress, become Raveena, the activist? During the 1999
Kargil War between India and Pakistan, she was in a delegation of
actors along with Salman Khan, Vinod Khanna and others who went
to the battle zone. She was deeply moved by what she saw there -
soldiers in pain, yet showing great courage. "They were fighting
our battle and the least we could do was to encourage and thank
them." Thinking of all they were going through, she felt her
sorrows pale into insignificance. In the subsequent
cricket match between Indian film stars and the Indian cricket team
held to raise funds for the welfare of Kargil martyrs and refugees,
Raveena was there to assist. Raveena also happens to be the official
ambassador for CRY (Child Relief and You), a child-centred developmental
organization. "There are a lot of women in the villages and
interior regions who do not get equal treatment," Raveena says,
explaining that projects to do with the girl child get her full
support. Over the past
year, she has been seen out with two teenagers in Mumbai where she
lives. People were surprised when they were told that Raveena had
adopted them 12 years ago. "They are my family and friends,
intelligent and loving. Now that they are in college, old enough
to come out with me, people have come to know about them. I don't
go around talking about everything I do! Raveena Tandon
has never used her father, Ravi Tandon's name to advance her career,
as she progressed from being a model to a star. She has had to struggle
to establish herself as an actress. While some films have been major
hits, others have not - for it is a world where only the very talented
succeed. Raveena's entrance
into the glitzy world of Bollywood was quite by accident. While
still completing her studies, she modelled to earn pocket money.
With offers coming in, her family and friends persuaded her to give
acting a go. Her early films that she calls the 'commercial masala
films' were quite a hit. A dancing sensation
since her super-hit 'Mohra', Raveena was regarded as Bollywood's
seductress No. 1 and has done quite a few films that required the
stereotype song and dance routines, that are so much a part of Hindi
cinema. However, the
actress is strictly against nudity and vulgar gestures. "If
you cannot convey sexuality through your expressions, you are not
an actress," she says, stressing that she didn't have to wear
the skimpiest of costumes to prove that she is sexy. Over the years
Raveena has matured and is now successful enough to pick and choose
roles that suit her. Having starred in around 70 Hindi films and
six to seven South Indian films, today she is regarded highly for
her powerful and versatile performances as much as her glamorous
image. "Every actress reaches a point of boredom, doing the
monotonous roles - the rich, spoilt brat who falls in love with
a poor lad," she smiles. These days
she prefers roles with substance and character. In the recently
released 'Satta', she plays a manipulative politician who, though
initially honest and sincere, turns crooked as pressure and power
struggles exert their influence. It was these
negative yet realistic aspects that she found challenging to portray. In the award-winning
'Daman', Raveena played a battered wife, in a film overloaded with
sadistic violence. It showcased her immense potential. Raveena has
been offered TV shows and so far declined them. When something comes
up that appeals to her, she says she would do it. "I would
like to make a difference and help people along the way." How does it
feel juggling the roles of actress-producer? She finds producing
very challenging, and the next logical step in the film world. "I
have two very proficient partners - Preeti Sinha (herself a daughter
of a producer) and Prakash (of Popcorn entertainment). They do most
of the hard work and leave the acting bit to me." Raveena has
acted in both the films produced by Reel Life so far. Of her soon-to-
be-released film - 'Stumped', Raveena says it is an experimental
film, not very typical. Last week as
chief guest at the Sunsilk Hair and Beauty Fair, Raveena was thrilled
to be here with her parents on her first visit to Sri Lanka. She was fascinated with the Kandyan hair ornaments and would be taking some back with her, she said She had also done a lot of shopping and was eager to see some of the island's famous sights. |
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