Raveena Tandon on becoming a grand mother at 46

By Lokmat English Desk | Published: May 17, 2021 06:51 PM2021-05-17T18:51:11+5:302021-05-17T18:51:11+5:30

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Actor Raveena Tandon has spoken about what it feels to be called a 'nani' at the age of 46. Raveena's adopted daughters, Pooja and Chhaya, both have kids of their own now.

Talking about becoming a grandmother at the age of 46, Raveena said in an interview, “Technically, the minute that word comes, people think you’re 70-80 years old. When I had taken in my girls I was 21, and my eldest was 11. We actually just have an 11-year gap between us.”

She further told Miss Malini, “She’s had her baby, so she’s more like a friend, but technically, I am a mom-like figure to her in her life. That’s what equates to being a grandmom, so that’s how it is.”

The actor had adopted Pooja and Chhaya in the 90s. “This was before Mohra (1994). My mother and I used to visit orphanages like Asha Sadan on our weekends.

When my cousin passed away he left behind two young daughters, Chaya and Pooja. I didn’t like the way their guardian was treating them so I took them home with me.

I didn’t think much of it. It came naturally to me. I wanted to give the girls the life they deserved. I’m not a multibillionaire but I do what I can to help,” she had said in an interview.

Talking about how the society perceived adoption at that time, she had added, “Some people wondered what would happen to the two children once I got married. 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.

Fortunately, my husband and in-laws dote on the girls.” Raveena has daughter Rasha and son Ranbirvardhan with husband Anil.

Tandon starred in five successful films including, the two the top-grossing films, the musical action dramas Dilwale and Mohra. Her performance in the box office hit drama Laadla (1994), earned her a nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress. Her other notable film of the year was the cult classic comedy Andaz Apna Apna.

After her marriage to the film distributor Anil Thadani, she took a break from films and some of her delayed films were released during this time. Tandon ventured into television as a talent judge on several reality dance shows and hosted her own talk shows Isi Ka Naam Zindagi (2012) and Simply Baatien With Raveena (2014). After several years of hiatus, she starred in a leading role in the thriller Maatr. Tandon is also an environmentalist and has worked with PETA since 2002.