Raveena Tandon opens up on being body shamed early on her career, calls it a ‘disheartening period’ | Hindi Movie News

Despite being away from the silver screen for many years, Raveena Tandon stays at the top of her game, delivering powerful performances on OTT, including shows like Aranyak, Karmma Calling and the upcoming movie Patna Shuklla. However, the actress, who ruled the marquee in the 90s, did not have it easy always.

In a recent interview, Raveena disclosed that she endured criticism from the media back then, particularly from female journalists, who engaged in slut-shaming and made derogatory comments about actresses’ bodies.

She recalled terms like “Amazonian body frame” and “thunder thighs” being used to describe actresses during that era.
Raveena told Zoom, that there was significant body shaming, and to be honest, it didn’t originate from within the industry. She added that while many are quick to point fingers at the film industry, it was actually the industry that provided her with opportunities. She further added that back then, the media was the one indulging in body shaming. Female editors were busy slut-shaming actresses, attempting to portray them negatively or scrutinizing their bodies, faces, or hair. Terms like ‘thunder thighs’ and ‘Amazonian body frame’ were commonly used to describe actresses at that time. It was a disheartening period, added Raveena.

In the same interview, the actress acknowledged that her co-stars and others often supported her in challenging situations. She recalled instances where Salman Khan and Sanjay Dutt stood up for her. Additionally, she recounted a specific incident during a shoot in Dalhousie, where the entire film crew armed themselves with rods to protect her and Suniel Shetty from unruly locals. This camaraderie within the unit made it feel like a family, with everyone standing together and supporting each other when needed.

Raveena further emphasized the significant strides made in women’s safety in the workplace today compared to the past. She acknowledged the heightened awareness surrounding potential dangers and the steps taken to address them. However, she emphasized that true progress will be evident when the representation of women in the workforce increases even more. Raveena believes there has been noticeable improvement from yesterday to today, but she underscores the necessity for even greater advancements between today and tomorrow.
The ‘Andaz Apna Apna’ actress recounted her experience of collaborating with a female Director of Photography (DoP) for the first time in her upcoming film, ‘Patna Shuklla.’ She expressed admiration for the DoP’s commanding presence and assertive demeanor, highlighting her awe and appreciation for women assuming leadership roles in the industry. Raveena finds it uplifting to witness women occupying prominent positions such as DoPs, directors, and producers, viewing it as a positive and encouraging change.