I have my eyes on Raveena Tandon. I know, I know. So do thousands of other equally interested people. But I’m watching her closely for, perhaps, a different set of reasons.
I’m not a producer, so I can’t offer her roles. I am not a rich and powerful man, so I can’t offer her marriage. I’m not a loopy fan, so she can’t offer me an autograph.
But I’m still an avid Raveenawatcher. She interests me sufficiently to keep track of her moves (and, you’ll agree, she makes some rather Hot ones).
Raveena, in my eyes, qualifies as a pioneer of sorts. She is a truly contemporary woman — a thoroughly modern miss — someone who believes in plain speaking and living life on her own terms. It helps that she’s gorgeous and accomplished. She knows as much and doesn’t pretend to the contrary.
Thank God for that. I’m a little sick of the silly, twittering, bland and boring girl-next-door kind of movie princess. Dammit, if I want a girl-next-door, I have hundreds to choose from. I don’t need a highly-paid movie star pretender. In this department, Raveena Tandon is supersmart.
Having been raised in a film family, she understands her milieu only too well. Raveena knows that stardom is about sex-appeal and mega-watt glamour. A star cannot and must not be seen in public looking like a dish-rag.
Stardom is about mystique and allure. That’s what the public pays for. Raveena never but never forgets this one elementary rule. God bless her for that.
These days, the Tandon girl is on a high-visibility drive — she is everywhere.
Or at least at all the right places with all the right people. On each occasion, she’s dressed to kill (and thrill). Of late, her signature fashion accessory seems to be a scorpion.
Well, a tattooed scorpion, tantalisingly positioned over her heart, and on view whenever she chooses to dip her neckline sufficiently. With a smart and contemporary haircut, dazzling diamonds and heavy-duty make-up, Raveena’s impact is guaranteed wherever she goes.
Unlike, say, a Rekha, who carefully cultivates a starry facade and plays games galore, Raveena is far more upfront and out there in her conduct.
Accessible, lively and terrifyingly self-assured, Raveena holds her own, regardless of the fancy crowd or swanky setting. Quite a contrast to the leggy, awkward girl I’d once been introduced to in a dimly-lit suburban night club. But even all these many years ago, I remember
Raveena’s attitude. She’d just rocked India with a super-hit item ( Tu cheez badi hai mast mast ), and was being linked with the film’s hirsute hero Akshay Kumar. Clad in an alarmingly short and tight white mini, it was easy to see why the word ‘ravishing’ was invariably attached to her name. “Ravishing Raveena.” Yes, sir. That’s her.
Raveena is still ravishing. Perhaps, even more so. But along with the sleek good looks and fabulous bod, she has acquired something more. Shall we call it social poise? When former US President Bill Clinton came to Mumbai, there was just one woman in a large and glittering gathering that he had eyes for — Raveena. I remember him scouring the room with his eyes and openly lusting for our star.
Later, he was overheard extracting a promise out of her to visit him in Washington for a fund-raising gala. If she did go, I’m sure she didn’t take a cigar with her. Raveena is far too smart to fall into any such trap. Smart and savvy. A future politician.
We met twice during the past fortnight. On both occasions, she was looking red-hot, drop-dead gorgeous.
“I heard you’re getting married soon,” a young industrialist said to her. “Am I? Great. Please tell me the name of my future husband. I must call and congratulate him,” she yelled above the din of the music. Undeterred, the industrialist continued to tease her. Raveena teased right back. Was she flirting? Leading the guy on? I hope so. Heck — she’s young, rich, healthy, attractive and (officially) unattached.
Why shouldn’t she flirt? At least she isn’t being a hypocrite and going into the old vestal virgin routine.
Raveena is considered seriously amazing by both the film industry and those outside it. Sexy and smart. Quite a deadly combination. If and when she does hitch up, what’s the bet she won’t settle for anyone less than... errr... shall we say, Bill Clinton??