‘A
healthy
lifestyle
does
show.
You
are
what
you
eat.
You
are
how
you
sleep.
Your
skin
is
what
you
put
into
your
body.’
‘So
it’s
all
a
reflection
of
everything
encompassed
together,
whether
you
know
how
you
are
in
your
heart,
in
your
soul.’
Photograph:
Kind
courtesy
Raveena
Tandon/Instagram
As
Raveena
Tandon
turns
50
on
October
26,
she
gets
nostalgic.
“My
childhood
birthdays
were
so
sweet
and
simple,”
she
tells
Subhash
K
Jha,
“We
used
to
play
tug
of
war,
oranges
and
lemons
sold
for
a
penny…
We
used
to
have
chutney
sandwiches,
wafers
and
tiny
rasgullas.
We
used
to
get
a
small,
sweet
return
gift
with
some
pencils
and
erasers
and
a
couple
of
sweets.
I
thought
that
was
the
most
beautiful,
simplest
way
of
living.
“Nowadays,
everyone
is
trying
to
outdo
each
other
with
amazing,
expensive
return
gifts.
I
think
our
growing
up
years
in
the
’80s
and
’90s
were
a
simple
lifestyle.
Yes,
sometimes
you
want
to
do
the
best
for
your
kids,
so
I
don’t
blame
anyone.
But
I’ve
always
tried
to
keep
my
children’s
birthdays
simple.
Now,
they
are
grown
up
and
doing
their
own
thing.
So
I’m
off
the
hook.”
Photograph:
Kind
courtesy
Raveena
Tandon/Instagram
She
also
looks
back
with
much
affection
at
her
career,
which
began
opposite
Salman
Khan
in
Patthar
Ke
Phool.
“There
are
so
many
precious
moments
that
have
shaped
my
journey,
each
with
its
own
significance.
My
breakthrough
roles
like
Mohra
and
Andaz
Apna
Apna
were
landmarks.
They
established
my
presence
in
the
industry,”
Raveena
recalls.
“But
on
a
deeper
level,
stepping
into
roles
that
challenged
me
emotionally,
like
my
National
Award
for
Daman
and
my
role
as
a
mother
fighting
against
her
daughter’s
rapists
in
Matra,
were
truly
transformative.
These
milestones
taught
me
resilience,
allowed
me
to
explore
my
craft,
and
left
an
impact
that
still
resonates
with
audiences.”
Raveena
sees
a
remarkable
transformation
in
the
heroine’s
role
over
the
years.
“Today,
female
roles
are
more
nuanced
and
multi-dimensional.
Actresses
are
being
celebrated
for
their
strength,
intelligence,
and
complexity.
We’re
witnessing
an
era
where
women
are
driving
narratives,
portraying
strong
lead
roles,
and
telling
diverse
stories
that
resonate
with
audiences.
“It’s
heartening
to
be
a
part
of
this
journey,
where
we’re
shifting
perspectives
and
making
meaningful
strides.
I
feel
fortunate
to
be
working
on
projects
that
are
meaningful
and
creatively
fulfilling,”
says
Raveena.
“At
this
stage
in
my
career,
I’m
prioritising
quality
over
quantity
and
focusing
on
roles
that
challenge
me
and
bring
something
valuable
to
the
audience.
It’s
a
blessing
to
continue
evolving
as
an
artist
and
contribute
to
stories
that
leave
an
impact.”
Photograph:
Kind
courtesy
Raveena
Tandon/Instagram
It
is
said
that
life
begins
at
40.
Does
Raveena
agree?
“Life
begins
whenever
you
want
it
to
begin.
Age
has
no
demarcation
of
how
you
should
be
feeling
or
how
you
should
be
living.
I
am
how
I
used
to
be
and
will
always
be.
I
think
I’m
pretty
consistent
in
my
feelings
for
people
or
what
I
do
or
how
I
am
as
a
person,”
she
says.
How
does
she
look
so
youthful
even
today?
“I
think
a
healthy
lifestyle
does
show.
You
are
what
you
eat.
You
are
how
you
sleep.
Your
skin
is
what
you
put
into
your
body.
So
it’s
all
a
reflection
of
everything
encompassed
together,
whether
you
know
how
you
are
in
your
heart,
in
your
soul,”
she
says.
“I
think
it
mirrors
the
personality
that
you
become.”