Raveena Tandon - Still falling in Love with Love

If Freud was right that the ability to love and work is the true measure of mental health, much can be learned about Raveena Tandon, by looking at her professional and romantic lives. Never mind how fast they're skipping along. Clearly she's won half the battle. Despite the disappointing box-office receipts for many a film in her early career, she's a proved actress willing to work hard. As for the love part, Raveena's clearly for it. It's just that like the rest of us, she's still trying to get it right. There have been conflicting reports in the media about her relationship with Akshay Kumar. One is that the couple have made a commitment; the other is that they're drifting apart. The intensely private Raveena isn't about to feed either rumour. "The relationship has such a precious quality to me," she says, "talking about it would be Iike rubbing a cat the wrong way." Curled up in a chair on the sets of Ziddi, wearing a snazzy outfit for a sizzling song sequence, she tried to move the subject of marriage to things other than that. But she can't help bringing the conversation back to a personal level.

Over to her private life but be content with whatever she reveals because that's as much as she'll expose. The world may know intimate details about her life, she seems to be saying, but it will never see beyond the peek she herself allows into it.

Q : How do you rate the year that was?
A : Excellent! I reaped a hit, Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi. Wow! The sweet smell of success is so heady. It'll keep me intoxicated for a while.

Q : Why do you get caught up in controversies?
A : I don't have a knack of getting into controversies as such. But as luck would have it, I've been embroiled in one too many for my liking. Thank god, the skies have cleared now, no more polemics to be handled.

Q : How much importance do you give to money in your life?
A : Money, money, money, its a rich man's world. Money makes the world go round.

Q : What could be your extravagance?
A : Cars. I'd love to possess as many as possible. It's my dream to own a Ferrari one day. I may or may not be able to afford it. Well, looking at the pathetic state of Indian roads, I'm better off without it. (she laughs). Case of sour grapes, that's what you think, isn't it? Anyway, presently I'm very happy with my Mazda sports convertible.

Q : What is your most treasured possession?
A : Friends. What would life be without them. I'm very close to my childhood friends. The girls I've grown up with. I regularly keep in touch with them and I know that they are the true friends. Friends that I can count upon in times of need.

Q : How close are you to your family?
A : We're a close knit family so there is a lot of interdependence on each other. My brother and myself are like Siamese twins, very closeto each other. Although we are not born in the same year, we share the same date of birth. I would say my brother is my best friend, very supportive and I derive a lot of strength from him.

Q : What kind of music turns you on?
A : Ravi Shankar is an all-time favourite. But I have an ear for both Indian and Western music.

Q : What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
A : Anger. I've been erupting at the slightest provocation. Anger is the trait that I would like to do away with as fast as possible because it's something that affects your sanity. Anyway, I feel I'm gaining control, slowly but surely.

Q : Who's your favourite hero?
A : Mmmmm.... It's such a difficult question to answer because they are all so goodlooking.

Q : What about Akshay Kumar?
A : I knew it was coming! Well, well, we look good together. That's why we're doing a lot of films together. And we do vibe well. Is that enough you need to know? (smiles).

Q : Why do you turn down films?
A : Presently, I'm looking for films with substantial roles. Bhai and Viraasat are the films I've recently turned down because they had nothing much to offer in terms of a role.

Q : Your favourite song?
A : Shaher ki Ladki! I like it and everyone else likes it too.

Q : The girl you like the best amongst your peers?
A : Manisha Koirala. She truly deserves her success. She has steadily worked her way up to the top. There was a time she too was labelled a jinx. I'm glad Bombay did for her what Mohra did for me.

Q : Your favourite sport?
A : Cricket. How I love to watch the game. More so when India is on a winning streak. Sachin Tendulkar is my favourite cricketer.

Q : What do you dislike doing?
A : Cooking. I could only be forced to cook at gun-point. Well, nobody does that for if I cook at home, the entire family has to go out to eat.

Q : Which living person do you most admire?
A : My father. Because he's so tolerant, understanding and loving. Basically a good-hearted man I wish I find all these qualities in the man that I get married to.

Q : What is your idea of perfect happiness?
A : Love. When it brings a smile on your face and a song on your lips. Life is meaningless without love.

Q : What does marriage mean to you?
A : A necessity. I'm all for the institution of marriage. Looking at my parents who've been married for the last 32 years and still so much in love, I feel it's worth while getting married. But you must find the right person. Hey! don't look at me like that! I'm not getting married right now.

Q : How would you rate a working wife?
A : As a super human being. Looking after the home and hearth, husband and children and doing justice to the job outside. I wonder how do they manage.

Q : And the Indian woman?
A : A lethal combo of Shakti(strength) and Namrata (Patience).

Q : The latest mission?
A : Abhiyaan (The Mission). I was taken aback when I was offered this fiIm with Nana Patekar, and Naseeruddin Shah. I literally broke out in a sweat first but then I puIled myself together and nodded my approval. After all, it's an opportunity of a lifetime.

Q : The men you're in awe of?
A : This very duo, yaar! I was absolutely petrified of Nana before I met him on the sets of Zamaana Deewaana. But now I find him to be so nice and congenial. Same is true of Naseer. I've always been in awe of him because he's an actor par excellence. I consider it an honour to be working with him.

Q : Any profession other than this that you'd like to be in?
A : No way! I'd always love to be where I am. The film industry is the only place where people from different communities come together without any reservations and the feeling of camaraderie helps keep your spirits up all the time. That's what I like about the film industry.

Q : How do hits and flops affect you?
A : How do the highs and lows affect one? A flop makes you feel down in the dumps and a hit gives you an unparalleled high.

Q : Looking forward to......
A : 1997. A lot of good films are lined up for release. Vinashak, Ziddi, Barood, Keemat, Ek Hindustani, Musthafa, Bulundi. I'm sure good times will roll in.

She's said it all or hasn't she? Well, we could go on and on for there's a lot more to Raveena Tandon. But let that be for another time, another place.