Raveena Tandon's Profile

Full Name: Raveena Tandon

Pet Name: Ravs

Profession: Actress

Star Sign: Scorpio

DOB: October 26, 1974

Place of Birth: Holy Family Hospital, Bombay

Height: 5'6"

Weight: 58 kgs.

Hair Color : Black

Status: married

Address: Nippon Society, Tandon House, Juhu Church, Mumbai 400 049

Family

Father's Name:Ravi Tandon

Mother's Name : Veena Tandon

Brother(s) : Rajiv Tandon

Spouse : Anil Thadani

Ex-Spouse : Ex-boyfriend: dated Akshay Kumar

Daughter : Rashi (March !6th 2005)

Raveena Tandon (Hindi: रवीना टंडन, born 26 October 1974 in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India) is a National Film Award winning Indian actress, producer, and a former model. She has primarily worked in Bollywood films, though she appeared in a few Tamil and Telugu language movies as well.


Tandon made her acting debut with Patthar Ke Phool (1991), and won a Filmfare Lux New Face Award for her performance in the film. During the 90s, she was part of several commercial successes such as Mohra (1994), Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi (1996) and Ziddi (1997), among others. Despite attaining popularity, she was not particularly recognised as an actor. This was however changed in the early 2000s, when she ventured into more serious roles and turned towards arthouse and parallel cinema. She got high critical acclaim for her performances in films like Aks (2001) and Satta (2003), and had the peak of her career in 2002, when she won the National Film Award for Best Actress for her performance in Kalpana Lazmi's Daman: A Victim of Marital Violence (2001).

Ravvena Tandon Film Background

Known For: Her affair with Akshay Kumar

Debut Film: Patthar Ke Phool

Most Serious Role: In Daman where she plays the role of a brutalized women

Funniest Role: In Dulhe Raja opposite Govinda

More About Raveena

Favourite Perfume : Angel

Favourite Food : I love all kinds of food but I try staying off it most times

Favourite Holiday Spot : Switzerland. I love hills and the mountains

First Crush : On my brother's friend when I was 13. Unfortunately, he responded to me when I was three inches taller than him. So, bad luck to him.

Biggest Fear : Losing my loved ones in front of me

Plus Point : Still trying to find out


Minus Point: I bite my nails, I'm hyperactive, too emotional and gullible

Philosophy of Life : Live and please let live

Dream Role : The role of a terrorist which I played in Dus

Directors you would like to work with : Subhash Ghai and Sanjay Leela Bhansali. I've worked with most of the other good ones

Sex Appeal : You should ask the men around

Best compliment paid by a man : I love your laugh lines, they make you look very pretty

Strength : My family

My weakness : My family

Languages Known : English, Hindi, Marathi, Punjabi and a bit of Telugu and Tamil

Turn off in a man :Disrespect towards women and talking crap about them

Turn on in a man : His simplicity, honesty, sensitive nature and down to earth attitude

Something about yourself that you would like to change : My Sensitive nature


Early life and background

Raveena Tandon is the daughter of filmmaker Ravi Tandon and his wife Veena. Her name is an amalgamation of her parents' name. She attended Jamnabai Narsee School in Juhu and studied at Mithibai College. She completed her first and second years at the college. During her time as an intern, she got her first film offer from Shantanu Sheorey which she accepted. She dropped out of college and decided to pursue her film career. Her maternal uncle is an actor Mac Mohan.


Career

Raveena got her name from a combination of her father's name, Ravi Tandon and mother's name Veena. Her father was a producer and director of some films in the 1970s and 1980s. She has a brother called Rajiv Tandon. She also has a cousin name Kiran Rathod who is a South Indian actress. Her first film Patthar Ke Phool (1991) was a hit, she received the Filmfare Lux New Face Award for her debut performance.


Her next films Mohra (1994) and Dilwale (1994) were big hits at the box office whilst Laadla (1994), although an average performer, still earned her a Filmfare nomination as best supporting actress. Mohra was the second biggest hit of 1994. Her other releases of that year included the thriller Imtihaan and the comedy Andaz apna apna. The former was an average performer whilst the latter was unsuccessful at the box office but has since gained a strong cult following over the years. She reportedly got into a fight with her co-star Karisma Kapoor on the sets of the film. In 1995, she starred with Shahrukh Khan for the first time in Zamana Deewana, the film failed to do well. Her following films failed to do well at the box office and her career saw a drop in her success. Her career was back on track with hit films like Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi (1996) and Ziddi (1997), being big hits each of its respective year. In 1997 she was to play her first villainous role in Dus but the film was shelved after the director's death when 40% of the film's shooting had been completed.


In 1998, Tandon had eight releases. Her last release of that year Bade Miyan Chote Miyan co-starring Amitabh Bachchan and Govinda turned out to the second biggest hit of the year. Coincidentally, Tandon was offered the second lead in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai which went on to be the biggest hit of 1998, but she turned it down. Her other releases of that year were Gharwali Baharwali which gained a below average status and Vinashak, Pardesi Babu and Aunty No. 1 all of which were un-successful.


In the 2000s, Tandon turned her career professionally. She went on to work more with art film directors and realistic cinema. It proved to be a good turning as films like Shool (1999), Bulandi (2000) and Aks (2001) won her huge acclaim. She won many awards as well as the Filmfare Special Performance Award for her performance in Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra's Aks.


Her years in the industry paid off when she won the coveted National Film Award for Best Actress for her performance in Kalpana Lazmi's Daman: A Victim of Marital Violence (2001), where she played a battered wife to an abusive husband. She surprised critics and audiences with her performance in the film and received much appreciation for her work. Critic, Taran Adarsh said "Raveena Tandon lends credibility to the role of a battered wife and walks away with the honours. The pathos she conveys through her expressions makes you realise that she's a performer of substance".


Since then, she has starred in a number of critically acclaimed films, such as Satta (2003) and Dobara (2004), but has not had much box office success. Her role as a middle class woman thrust into the world of politics in the former was praised. Critic, Taran Adarsh wrote "Raveena Tandon delivers a bravura performance. The actress takes giant strides as a performer, giving the right touches to her character. Here's a performance that's bound to be noticed". Her role as a schizophrenic in Dobara was also praised with one critic saying, "Raveena is in sync with her character, essaying her part with elaan". Her last release was Sandwich in 2006 which opened to poor reviews and reception. She has not acted in films since. Tandon has produced the films Stumped (2003) and Pehchaan: The Face of Truth (2005), neither had much success at the box office.


Personal life

She adopted two children Pooja and Chhaya as a single mother in the 1990s. Tandon previously dated actor Akshay Kumar and was set to be engaged to him, however they broke up soon after.

Tandon began dating film distributor Anil Thadani during the making of her film Stumped (2003). Their engagement was announced in November 2003. She married Thadani on 22 February 2004 in Jag Mandir Palace in Udaipur, Rajasthan according to Punjabi style. She gave birth to a baby girl called Rasha on 16 March 2005. She gave birth to her second child, a baby boy named Ranbir on 12 July 2007.


Controversies

Tandon was chairperson of the Children's Film Society of India from 2003, but from 2004 the actress began to get complaints that she did not attend the organization's meetings and that she was not involved with the activities set up by the society. In September 2005, Tandon resigned from her post citing personal reasons.

In November 2005, Tandon sued Shaadi.com and Shaaditimes.com, claiming that they were using un-authorized images of her to promote the site. She also sued the owner Satyanet Solutions, as they claimed that Tandon and her husband had met through the website.


Commitments

In November 2002, Tandon signed on to support the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. She has posed in many advertisement campaigns joining the likes of Shilpa Shetty, Amisha Patel and John Abraham. On the issue of cows being slaughtered for their skin, she said "their abuse at the hands of corrupt skin and meat traders must be stopped".

In June 2006, Tandon contributed to the Lotus Eye Hospital in Mumbai for underprivileged children.


Trivia

Attended the prestigious Jamnabai Narsee School in Juhu, Mumbai, where she was Head Girl.

Won the "Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut" in in 1991.

At 5' 5 1/2" she is a tall (by Indian standards) small bossomed ravishing woman who has made a name for herself by her sexy dances.

She has recently set up her own TV production unit RT Video.

Was offered Rani Mukherjee's role in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai and was offered Karishma Kapoor's role in Dil To Pagal Hai.

Has a perfume named after her marketed by a Swiss firm: it was first marketed in Dubai, UAE in 1996.

Is the sister-in-law of 'Rakhi Tandon'.

Has one younger brother called Rajiv Tandon who is into production.

Was given the name Raveena by combining Ravi and Veena, her father and mother's name repectively.

Became the mother of a baby girl (Rasha) , on March 16, 2005 in Bombay, India, at 10 am (IST) with the baby weighing 8 1/2 lbs.

At 36, Raveena Tandon, and her husband Anil Thandani welcomed their second child, a son (Ranbir), on 12 July,2007 at 11:40 am in Mumbai, India.

Awards

1992: Filmfare Lux New Face Award, Patthar Ke Phool

2002: Bengal Film Journalists' Association Awards Best Supporting Actress, Aks

2002: National Film Award for Best Actress, Daman: A Victim of Marital Violence

2002: Filmfare Special Performance Award, Aks

2002: Star Screen Award Best Supporting Actress, Aks

2002: Bollywood Movie Award - Best Supporting Actress, Aks

2002: Bollywood Movie Award - Critics Award Female, Aks


Filmography:

Actress:

1. Sandwich (2006) .... Nisha S. Singh
2. Pehchaan: The Face of Truth (2005) .... Advocate Mridula M. Khanna
3. Dobara (2004) .... Ria
4. Ek Se Badhkar Ek (2004) .... Kanchan Dhillon
5. Aan: Men at Work (2004) .... Roshni Verma
6. Police Force: An Inside Story (2004) .... Roma
7. Yeh Lamhe Judaai Ke (2004) .... Jaya
8. Jaago (2004) .... Shweta
9. LOC: Kargil (2003) .... Rampal's wife
10. Sandhya (2003) .... Doctor
11. Qayamat: City Under Threat (2003) .... Mamta
12. Stumped (2003) .... Reema Seth
13. Pran Jaaye Par Shaan Na Jaaye (2003) .... Laxmi Rathod
14. Satta (2003) .... Anuradha Sehgal


15. Ek Hindustani (2003)
16. Tareekh (2003)
17. Waah! Tera Kya Kehna (2002) .... Salma Khan
18. Soch (2002) .... Preeti Sardesai
19. Akhiyon Se Goli Maare (2002) .... Kiran Bhangare
20. Agni Varsha (2002) .... Vishakha
21. Aalavandhan (2001) .... Tejaswini
22. Akasa Veedhilo (2001) .... Indu
23. Aks (2001) .... Neeta
24. Daman: A Victim of Marital Violence (2001) .... Durga Saikia
25. Ghaath (2000) .... Special Appearance
26. Kahin Pyaar Na Ho Jaaye (2000) .... Nisha
27. Jung (2000) .... Naina V. Chauhan
28. Bulandi (2000) .... Meena
29. Anjaane (2000)
30. Officer (2000) .... Meenal Patel/Namita Sharma
31. Tune Mera Dil Le Liyaa (2000) .... Janam/Reshma
32. Shool (1999) .... Manjari Singh
33. Gair (1999) .... Madhu
34. Rajaji (1999) .... Payal
35. Jai Hind (1999) .... Gulnar
36. Anari No. 1 (1999) .... Sapna
37. Pardesi Babu (1998) .... Karuna
38. Bade Miyan Chote Miyan (1998) .... Seema Singh
39. Barood (1998) .... Neha Singhal
40. Dulhe Raja (1998) .... Kiran Singhania
41. Gharwali Baharwali (1998) .... Kaajal A. Verma
42. Aunty No. 1 (1998) .... Sandhya
43. Salaakhen (1998) .... Neha G. Rao
44. Keemat: They Are Back (1998) .... Sharmili
45. Vinashak - Destroyer (1998) .... Kajol Agnihotri
46. Deewana Mastana (1997) (uncredited) .... Sexy girl (Special appearance)


47. Daava (1997) .... Seema
48. Ziddi (1997) .... Jaya
49. Dus (1997) .... Nasheman - Terrorist
50. Ghulam-E-Musthafa (1997) .... Kavita
51. Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi (1996) .... Priya
52. Vijeta (1996) .... Inspector Vijayalaxmi
53. Ek Anari Do Khiladi (1996) .... Priya Rao
54. Rakshak (1996) .... Special Appearance (song 'Shahar Ki Ladki')
55. Saajan Ki Baahon Mein (1995) .... Sapna Narang
56. Taqdeerwala (1995) .... Lilly
57. Imtihaan (1995) .... Priti
58. Zamaana Deewana (1995) .... Priya Singh
59. Mohra (1994) .... Roma Singh
60. Andaz Apna Apna (1994) (as Raveeena Tandon) .... Raveena
61. Laadla (1994) .... Kaajal
62. Insaniyat (1994) .... Salma
63. Aatish: Feel the Fire (1994) .... Nisha
64. Dilwale (1994) .... Sapna
65. Saadu (1994)
66. Zamane Se Kya Darna (1994) .... Anju Rajpal
67. Pehla Nasha (1993)
68. Parampara (1993) .... Vijaya
69. Kshatriya (1993) .... Neelima (Mirtagarh)
70. Divya Shakti (1993) .... Priya
71. Ek Hi Raasta (1993) .... Priya Choudhry
72. Jeena Marna Tere Sang (1992)
73. Time Machine (1992)
74. Patthar Ke Phool (1991) .... Kiran Khanna
75. Bangaru Bullodu

Producer:

1. Pehchaan: The Face of Truth (2005) (producer)
2. Stumped (2003) (producer)

Self:

1. International Indian Film Awards (2000) (TV) .... Herself
2. Khauff (2000) .... Herself - song 'Nach Baby'
3. Main Khiladi Tu Anari (1994) .... Herself - Mohini in a movie