Raveena Tandon latest comeback journey tells a fascinating tale of persistence and reinvention. Surprisingly, the actress who has appeared in over 59 films and won the prestigious National Film Award for Best Actress never actually intended to join the film industry. Her original aspiration was to become a director like her father, Ravi Tandon, the filmmaker behind classics such as "Khel Khel Mein" and "Majboor."
When we look at recent Raveena Tandon news, her career renaissance becomes even more impressive. After making her mark with iconic films like "Dilwale," "Mohra," and "Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi" following her 1991 debut in "Patthar Ke Phool," she took a significant break from the spotlight. Recently, however, she has reclaimed her position in the industry through compelling projects like the thriller "Maatr," Netflix series "Aranyak," and a standout role in the blockbuster "K.G.F: Chapter 2." In this article, we'll explore the untold story behind her remarkable journey and what's next for this versatile star, including her upcoming appearance in "Housefull 5."
Born on October 26, 1972, in Mumbai to filmmaker Ravi Tandon and Veena Tandon [[1]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raveena_Tandon), Raveena's journey to stardom began unexpectedly. Unlike many star kids, she never initially intended to become an actress. "I never thought I would become an actress," she once revealed in an interview with Rediff [[1]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raveena_Tandon)."I am emotional, honest, and sensitive and a great human being because of my dad. Tough and independent woman because of my mom." — Raveena Tandon, National Film Award-winning Bollywood actress
During her college days at Mithibai College, Raveena was working as an intern with ad filmmaker Prahlad Kakkar. "I did start from cleaning the studio floors to wiping off vomit from the stall floors and studio sets," she candidly admitted [2]. It was during this internship that people began complimenting her looks, eventually leading to her first modeling opportunities.
Despite her reluctance, fate had other plans. After rejecting several film offers, she finally accepted "Patthar Ke Phool" (1991) opposite Salman Khan for an amusing reason – her friends wanted to meet Salman Khan. "My friends insisted I accept it so they could join me on the set," she revealed [3]. The film became a box office hit, earning her the Filmfare Award for Lux New Face of the Year [1][4].
Initially, Raveena faced a series of unsuccessful films including "Jeena Marna Tere Sang," "Divya Shakti," and "Parampara" [1]. 1994 proved to be the turning point in her career with ten releases. Among these, "Dilwale," "Aatish: Feel the Fire," "Laadla," and "Mohra" emerged as the highest-grossing films of the year [1]. "Mohra" particularly cemented her status as a superstar thanks to iconic songs like "Tip Tip Barsa Pani" and "Tu Cheez Badi Hai Mast" [1].
Subsequently, she delivered commercial successes with "Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi" (1996) and "Ziddi" (1997) [1]. Furthermore, her comedic timing shone in hit films with Govinda – "Dulhe Raja" and "Bade Miyan Chote Miyan" (1998) [1]. By the end of the decade, she gained critical acclaim for her performance in "Shool" (1999), which later became a cult film [1].
Throughout the 1990s, Raveena established herself as one of Bollywood's most vivacious actresses, with "ravishing and Raveena" becoming synonymous [1]. Her willingness to take on diverse roles across genres solidified her reputation as one of the decade's most beloved stars.
After marrying film distributor Anil Thadani on February 22, 2004, Raveena Tandon consciously stepped away from the silver screen to focus on her growing family. This pause, far from being a retirement, revealed another dimension of the actress – that of a devoted mother, passionate philanthropist, and outspoken social activist."They said no one would marry me as I came with excess baggage. But I said I come in a package deal: my children, my dogs and me. Take it or leave it." — Raveena Tandon, National Film Award-winning Bollywood actress
Motherhood has been central to Raveena's life beyond cinema. At just 21 years old, she made the remarkable decision to adopt two girls, Pooja and Chhaya, who were 8 and 11 at the time. "My daughters are my best friends," she once shared. "I remember when I got married, they were the ones who sat in the car and led me to the mandap." After her marriage, the family expanded with the birth of her daughter Rasha in 2005 and son Ranbirvardhan the same year.
"For me, right from the beginning my kids and family came first. You need to set your priorities," Raveena explained about her decision to limit film work. "I don't want to be like those actors who say that their lives went by because of their careers. I had different plans."
While raising her children, Raveena remained actively involved in numerous social causes. She became an ambassador for Child Relief and You, worked extensively with UNICEF, and advocated against domestic violence. Additionally, she supported animal welfare through her work with In Defense of Animals (IDA), serving as their ambassador for three years.
Throughout this period, she made occasional appearances on television, including hosting a talk show titled "Issi Ka Naam Zindagi" on NDTV in 2012. These limited professional engagements allowed her to maintain her connection with audiences while prioritizing family life.
"The TV industry has a little bit of an upper hand on films," she noted, "because it's something that actually reaches out to people in their homes. It's also more convenient for me, because you just work one day in a week, and the rest of the week you're at home with your kids."
In 2017, Raveena Tandon marked her significant return to the silver screen with the thriller "Maatr," signaling a deliberate shift in her career trajectory. Tired of "run-of-the-mill" roles, she began carefully selecting projects that offered substance and challenge. "I wanted something different in which I could add and incorporate a few things in the character," she explained about her intentional career pivot.
Her OTT debut with Netflix's "Aranyak" (2021) proved to be a pivotal turning point. As Kasturi Dogra, a police officer with old-school but effective investigation methods, Raveena delivered what she described as one of her "most challenging" roles. The eight-episode thriller became a critical success, with The Times of India praising "Raveena & Parambrata's nuanced chemistry" and The Hindu calling it an "authentic crime-noir" [5].
Notably, 2022 saw Raveena shine in the blockbuster "KGF: Chapter 2" as Prime Minister Ramika Sen. The film not only emerged as the highest-grossing Kannada movie ever but its Hindi version earned a staggering Rs 381 crore, surpassing the lifetime collection of Aamir Khan's "Dangal" [6]. Expressing her evolving perspective, she stated, "For me, it is no longer Mumbai-centric. Rather, a pan-India integrated Hindi film industry" [7].
Presently, Raveena's upcoming projects showcase her versatility. She's set to appear in Tarun Mansukhani's star-studded "Housefull 5" alongside Akshay Kumar, Abhishek Bachchan, and an ensemble cast of 24 actors [8]. Furthermore, she's making a remarkable return to Tamil cinema after 24 years through director Joshua Sethuraman's new film [9].
Beyond her own career renaissance, Raveena has witnessed her daughter Rasha Thadani's entry into films. Rasha, who debuted in "Azaad," revealed how her mother trained her: "She used to make me sit and watch Rekha ji's performances, Saroj ji's performances and even Sadhana ji's performances" [10].
Throughout this phase, Raveena has maintained her selective approach to roles. "I believe in quality. I would rather wait it out and do one film at a time, because I have been there—doing 30 films at one go. Now, I feel lucky and blessed that I can sit back and choose" [7].
Raveena Tandon's remarkable journey through Bollywood certainly stands as a testament to her versatility and resilience. Throughout her three-decade career, she has masterfully balanced commercial success with critically acclaimed performances while prioritizing what matters most to her—family. Undoubtedly, her decision to step away from the limelight at the peak of her career demonstrated rare courage in an industry known for its unforgiving pace.
Her carefully planned comeback showcases an actress who refuses to be typecast. Rather than accepting any role offered, she has selectively chosen projects that challenge her abilities and resonate with modern audiences. "Aranyak" and "KGF: Chapter 2" proved her star power remains undiminished, while her upcoming appearances in "Housefull 5" and her Tamil cinema return after 24 years demonstrate her enduring appeal across different film industries.
What makes Raveena's story particularly inspiring is how she transformed potential career setbacks into opportunities for growth. The pause in her acting career allowed her to focus on motherhood and philanthropy, subsequently returning with greater depth and maturity as an actress. Her journey reveals that success need not follow a linear path—sometimes stepping back creates space for a more meaningful comeback.
Looking ahead, Raveena's career trajectory suggests she will continue to surprise audiences with her choice of roles. Her ability to evolve with changing times while staying true to her principles offers valuable lessons for both aspiring actors and established stars. If you found this article interesting, please share it! Altogether, Raveena Tandon's latest chapter proves that genuine talent, combined with purposeful choices, creates legacies that transcend generations in Indian cinema.
[1] - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raveena_Tandon
[2] - https://zeenews.india.com/people/from-cleaning-floors-to-wiping-vomit-raveena-tandon-reveals-shocking-details-on-her-careers-early-days-2456481.html
[3] - https://www.filmfare.com/interviews/exclusive-raveena-tandon-opens-up-about-the-90s-being-a-glam-ma-more-67782.html
[4] - https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0849199/awards/
[5] - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aranyak_(TV_series)
[6] - https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/raveena-tandon-teases-kfg-2-director-prashanth-neel-in-a-hilarious-bts-video/articleshow/91363797.cms
[7] - https://www.theweek.in/theweek/leisure/2022/04/16/raveena-tandon-comeback-star-now-plays-prime-minister-in-kgf-chapter-2.html
[8] - https://www.news18.com/movies/bollywood/housefull-5-two-versions-of-akshay-kumar-starrer-sent-to-cbfc-film-certified-u-a-ws-kl-9351861.html
[9] - https://www.amarujala.com/entertainment/raveena-tandon-returns-in-tamil-cinema-after-24-years-from-vijay-antony-lawyer-2025-05-23
[10] - https://www.hindustantimes.com/htcity/cinema/rasha-thadani-reveals-how-mother-raveena-tandon-trained-her-for-azaad-song-uyi-amma-she-used-to-make-me-sit-and-watch-101744878180293.html