Didn’t join politics because I call a spade a spade: Raveena Tandon

Actor Raveena Tandon, known for voicing her strong opinion on social issues, says she doesn’t want to join politics because she never shies away from calling a spade a spade. During a session at Hindustan Shikhar Samagam, she talked about women empowerment, their safety, politics and fitness.

“I have always believed that in order to have a balanced society, we need to empower our women. I don’t believe in dividing the society into various strata, but I would like to give an example of Mumbai’s lower-middle class working women who wake up early every morning, fulfil their household chores, leave for work in a local, slog at their respective jobs, return home in the evening, then cook for the family and sit with their kids and help them with home work. The next morning, they wake up and start all over again. They are the real Indian women for me.”

Talking about her early days and getting into films she said, “I never wanted to be in films or be an actor. But as life takes its own course I became one. Today, I feel happy that I have done good work which includes a few films that give out a social message. My last release ‘Matr’ was a conscious decision as an actor because I always felt for the cause. After I met the mother of the December 16 gangrape victim, I was so shaken. When I played a mother of a rape victim on screen for this film, it left me drained as an actor. But I want to do my bit for the real problems in our country--be it women’s safety, clean politics or women empowerment.”

On being one of the few celebrities who voice their opinion, the actor who looked gorgeous in a blue pant suit said, “Yes I’m upfront and honest. When I decided to adopt two daughters at a very young age, I was sure that I wanted to do it. Similarly, when I support a cause I am very clear about what I say. That’s the reason I don’t want to take up politics or join any party at this point even though I have been offered a tickets by several parties, including the Congress, BJP and TMC. I was also offered a ticket from Kolkata, but knowing myself, I will always call a spade a spade and no one can change my thought process. So I’m better off not being associated with any political party. But you never know what the future holds, so someday I may become a part of politics.” Recently, the Satta actor who is married to film distributor Anil Thadani, received a marriage proposal from one of her fans on a social networking site. Talking about it on a lighter note she said, “Yes that’s true and very funny. I told that guy that he was late by 13 years. I told him that I am happily married and booked for ‘saath janam’ so anybody who is interested will have to wait for seven lives,” she chuckled.

On being counted among the fittest stars in the industry Raveena says, “Recently, when one of the reporters asked me the same question I told him that the secret of my fitness is that I sleep in the fridge. But the reality is that I take out some time for myself every day and this is what what I will recommend to everyone. Spend 40-45 minutes on whichever form of exercise you like every day and you will see the change.”

When I decided to adopt two daughters at a very young age, I was sure that I wanted to do it. Similarly, when I support a cause I am very clear about what I say

RAVEENA TANDON, ACTOR