Lata Khubchandani

Hear Raveena Tandon on Real Audio!

Raveena Tandon's jubilation on being judged best actress at the National Awards, for her performance in Daman was shortlived.

She had just returned home from a shooting in Hampi, Karnataka, when she was plunged into a spate of controversies: She was alleged to have campaigned for the award, her maternal uncle Macmohan was a jury member, the list went on.

After spending a difficult day in the heated interiors of television studios answering questions, Raveena found her name miraculously cleared at the end of the day on March 28, when Pradeep Krishen, the jury member who had resigned in protest against the allegedly predetermined awards suddenly apologised to the star unconditionally on Zee News.

It was well past midnight when an exhausted Raveena spoke to rediff.com.

The TV channel had just telecast the apology. The actress was vindicated:

How did you clear your name?

I was in the studio with Mahesh Bhatt. On the other side were Pradeep Krishen and Shashi Anand, both jury members.

I asked Pradeep Krishen to give me an instance of when and who had seen me campaign for the award. He immediately said that he had been misled and apologised. I accepted the apology.

Only thing is, it (the allegation) has taken much of my pleasure away.

Then the press reported that I was in Bombay celebrating the award two days before it was announced. When I have been away shooting in Bangalore. I wish people would check the facts before making such statements.

How much is the award justified?

Whoever saw the film told me I would get an award for my performance. It was so stark; it had no crutches of glamour or music to carry it through. I was left to my own resources to perform this role.

What was the most difficult part in Daman?

Playing the mother of a teenage daughter. I had to put on weight for the role, and found it difficult to lose it afterward!

How difficult has the journey been from an 'item' artiste to a performer of substance?

More than performing, it has been difficult convincing people that I could do it. Now I feel good that it has been noticed.

Produced by SoundPicture Communications

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