Raveena Tandon, a prominent figure in Bollywood during the 1990s, has recently shared insights into her decision to decline significant roles, including the celebrated film “Kuch Kuch Hota Hai” and the iconic song “Chaiyya Chaiyya” from “Dil Se.” In a conversation with Zoom, the actress explained that her choices were influenced by her desire to redefine herself as a leading actress during a pivotal period in her career.

Reflection on ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’

While discussing her decision to turn down “Kuch Kuch Hota Hai,” a project directed by her close friend Karan Johar, Raveena acknowledged the impact of her career trajectory. The film featured notable names such as Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, and Rani Mukerji. She remarked, “I had my reasons to reject certain films. For example, Karan always says that you didn’t do my first film, but I tell him that I would have loved to do it, and you are my friend. Unfortunately, during that time in my career, I couldn’t have restarted my career by playing second lead after leaving at a point with ‘Mohra.’”

Solo Heroine as a Priority

Raveena emphasized the importance of reestablishing her career as a solo heroine. She stated, “It was very necessary for me to start off, even if I have five scenes and five songs, but as a solo heroine. I had to restart my career like that, which was very difficult.” She noted that while Rani Mukerji capitalized on her fresh appeal, returning as a second lead was not a feasible option for her at that stage.

Turning Down ‘Chaiyya Chaiyya’

In addition to her decision regarding “Kuch Kuch Hota Hai,” Raveena revealed that she also passed on the opportunity to appear in the popular song “Chaiyya Chaiyya,” which was directed by Mani Ratnam and became a defining moment in Indian music history. The song featured Shah Rukh Khan and Malaika Arora and is revered for its choreography and cultural significance.

She expressed regret over this choice, saying, “Chaiyya Chaiyya came, and I was dying to do it, but I didn’t want to be branded ‘item girl.’ So I remember telling Mani Ratnam Ji that I am dying to do a film with you. I want to be in every film of yours, but unfortunately, I can’t do this song. These are the regrets that you do have, but then you can’t do everything in life.”

Bollywood Journey and Legacy

Raveena Tandon began her Bollywood career with “Patthar Ke Phool” in 1994, and quickly became a household name thanks to a series of successful films, including “Dilwale,” “Mohra,” “Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi,” “Bade Miyan Chote Miyan,” “Dulhe Raja,” and “Anari No 1.” While she gained immense popularity for her dance numbers such as “Tu Cheez Badi Hai Mast-Mast,” “Tip-Tip Barsa Pani,” and “Shehar Ki Ladki,” she acknowledged that the acclaim for her dance often overshadowed her acting skills.

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