‘THE STRUGGLE HAS TO GO ON’
While actress Raveena Tandon awaits the release of her OTT projects, she lets her hair down for a chat
Raveena Tandon, who shone in Bollywood since the ’90s is getting back on screen soon. The actress has been working on several OTT projects through the pandemic. She gets candid with her life’s journey and future professional dreams.
Q How are you enjoying this phase of work, post the pandemic?
Actually, I worked through the pandemic. We worked in the last quarter of the last year, and we were working right through from home. Then, we left for an outdoor shoot for which we did a Netflix show in Himachal. While it was tough to shoot, we ensured the safety precautions were in place and the protocols were well followed. We kept the bubble very close and tight around us so we were all safe.
Q You have shot a web series for Netflix. How has the digital medium been treating you?
I am enjoying working for the OTT platforms and the digital space because it’s given me different kind of stories to explore and experiment with. I believe one has limited choices when one’s on screen because you had a certain image for a certain kind of audience to deal with. But OTTs, I think, have opened out, broadening all our horizons and we’re all now exploring different avenues.
Q What are you watching there?
I have actually started watching a series called Manifest. I love anything to do with futuristic, time travel or scientific themes. I’ve been trying to figure all that out by watching that so it’s very interesting.
Q OTT has helped discover a lot of acting talent. Do you agree?
Well, OTT has helped a lot of actors do some great work, and we’ve made some great discovery of many talented artistes. I think different kinds of roles and not stereotyping gets you to discover such amazing fresh talent.
Q You have also been writing a lot of story ideas. Is there anything you’re ready to make now as a director, like your dad Ravi Tandon?
Initially, my ambition or dream was to do production and direction, but well, it’s still on the backburner because even though we are successfully in production there’s nothing that I would direct right now. I am still busy with the projects that I am doing as an actor. I believe to direct one has to be totally devoted to it because it is like having a baby again. It’s like delivering an infant. I can’t take on any project when I am actually busy acting in a couple of other projects, but someday soon, yes I will direct too.
Q When you see many film folks adopting girls today, how does it feel to be the first person to do so? You are a ‘grandmother’ as well now.
I think it’s great because initially when I did adopt my girls, I kept under wraps because there were a lot of contrary views.
There was a lot of nasty and controversial media in those days. We had a lot of yellow journalism in our time. A lot of people would create a controversy out of anything innocent you ever did. So I preferred to keep them out of the media glare and from adverse reactions from people who would be like, “Oh is she doing this for publicity or what is it?” But later, a lot of NGOs came forward and advised me that I must talk about it because I should
become the advocate for adoption saying I’d set an example for others because it’s a good thing that I was doing. It gave me the courage to talk about it.
when I started my career I did not have a struggle. I was lucky enough later on in my life too. But I had to struggle to make a come back. It needs a lot of strength and courage to hold on against all odds
Q How do you look at the word ‘struggle’ when actors use it today? What was the connotation back then?
A struggle doesn’t have any kind of different connotation whether it was ‘then or now’. A struggle is a struggle. A lot of people struggle even after establishing themselves because to maintain your standing is also a struggle. So it’s not only that after you get a film or two you can sit back and relax; the struggle continues. I took sabbaticals many a times and yes there were times when I had to struggle to come back. Earlier, when I started my career I did not have a struggle. I was lucky enough later on in my life too, but it was a struggle to get back on my feet and I think that it needs a lot of strength and courage to hold on against all odds. I just hope people always have the courage and they never quit and give up. The struggle has to go on.