Movie profile: Raveena Tandon

Raveena Tandon, she of the classically beautiful Indian face, has come a long way. From the typical Bollywood film bimbo to National Award winning actress in Daman and on to being the President of the Children's Film Society of India. Recently, she got married in princess-style at a palace to distributor Anil Thadani in Rajasthan. Here, all the spice on the actress and what she intends to do in the future.
One can't help talking about the personal side of the actress first. She already has two adopted kids. Marriage to Anil, she says, has made her feel very secure and it shows in her glowing face. Did she have to change her routine to suit marriage? Luckily for Raveena, she didn't. After all, Anil is a distributor and he understands his wife's profession completely. Logically, the next step would be to start a family, right? Wrong, she clarifies quickly. With her commitments, she would not be able to do justice to a baby, she feels. When she feels responsible enough, she will have a baby - as simply put as that.
What about politics? Surprisingly, she does not go the way of the typical Bollywood actor by denying that she has any interest in politics. She admits that she will join politics when she has enough experience. However, she will always continue doing her social work. Her priorities, she says, are family, her duties as President of the Children's Film Society of India (CFI) and social work. Her commitments as actor, film producer and television actor are only next on her priority list.

To bring that smile back on her face, just ask her about her favorite co-stars. She grins as she names Govinda and Jackie Shroff. Her future projects include Dobara and Ek Se Badkar Ek. Her favorite films include Patthar He Phool, Shool, and super hits like Dilwale. She also has fond memories about acting with Amitabh Bachchan in Aks. Though she had acted as his sister in Bade Miya Chote Miyan, Aks was definitely a heavier role. She hardly spoke to the Big B during shooting since she wanted to ensure that she delivered the dialogues in the confrontation scenes really well!
Considering her commitment towards social work, one wonders if she will do a film on a social issue. To that, Raveena replies that she will - but only with a very good director and cameraman. That said, the actress is also very vocal about her views on child labour and children begging on the streets. It saddens her to see that adults can actually bring children into this world and then not be responsible for their upbringing and education. It is difficult to imagine that the socially responsible, mature, intelligent woman in front of you as the sweet young thing you saw in a typical Bollywood film. But it is. Bollywood actresses are not bimbos in real life - Raveena is living proof of that.