'What am I crying for': How a 2-minute stop near a slum area taught heartbroken Raveena Tandon the biggest lesson of her life

Raveena Tandon, a name synonymous with both glamour and grit in Indian cinema, has seen many transitions throughout her career—from 1990s commercial stardom to critically acclaimed roles in socially driven films. But beyond her cinematic evolution lies a deeply personal journey marked by emotional setbacks and self-discovery. In an earlier candid conversation, the actress opened up about a moment during one of the lowest phases of her life—a brief halt near a slum on a rainy night—that ended up teaching her a life-changing lesson in gratitude and perspective.

A Lesson in Perspective
Speaking to Zoom TV, Tandon recalled a time when she felt utterly broken. She had reached a point where she believed she had lost both personal and professional stability. On one such emotionally heavy night, while driving through Mumbai in pouring rain, her car momentarily stopped near a slum area by the railway tracks. What she witnessed through the window left a lasting impression.

She saw a woman trying to shield her stove from the rain to save the watery dal she had cooked for her children, who stood nearby, half-dressed and crying. A little further, she noticed a man physically abusing his wife in the rain. In that moment, Tandon realised that while she was lamenting her setbacks from the comfort of an expensive car, there were others who were simply trying to make it through the day. That experience shifted her focus from self-pity to gratitude, marking what she described as a turning point in her life.

An Ever-Evolving Career
Raveena Tandon’s journey in cinema began with Patthar Ke Phool in 1991 and soon catapulted her into stardom with a string of hits including Mohra, Dilwale, and Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi. By the early 2000s, she had shifted towards performance-oriented roles, earning a National Award for Daman. With films like Aks and Satta, she proved her versatility as a dramatic actor.

In recent years, she has returned to screens with selected film and OTT roles, most notably in Aranyak and KGF: Chapter 2, further cementing her ability to adapt with changing times.

Back to South After Two Decades and Social Work
After a long hiatus from South Indian cinema, Tandon is now making her Tamil film comeback with Lawyer, opposite Vijay Antony. In an interview with The Times of India, she expressed her happiness about returning to the region, sharing that she has always enjoyed filming in the South. She praised the professionalism, cultural depth, and mass appeal of the stories told there and even reflected on how she often wondered why she wasn’t approached for more roles in Tamil, Telugu, or Kannada cinema.

Beyond acting, Tandon has also contributed to various environmental and social causes. On World Environment Day, she was felicitated by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for her environmental work. Sharing the honour on social media, she expressed joy not only for the recognition but also for the adoption of a rescued kitten, adding a personal and heartfelt touch to the occasion.