Before social media trials, there were glossy magazine verdicts — and they could be just as brutal.
In a recent chat with Zoom, Raveena Tandon looked back at her early days in Bollywood and revealed how she was labelled “fake” and even slut-shamed simply for being friendly with her male co-stars.
It was the 1990s. And the industry, she says, wasn’t always kind.
From Debut Dream to Public Scrutiny
Raveena made her debut with Patthar Ke Phool opposite Salman Khan in 1991. The film marked the beginning of a successful run, but behind the scenes, she was navigating something far less glamorous — media narratives that questioned her authenticity.
She recalled how she continued her personal traditions even after entering the industry. For instance, instead of sending flowers on birthdays, she preferred gifting cakes — something she had always done for friends, including Juhi Chawla.
But what she saw as a warm gesture was twisted into a headline. One magazine reportedly described her as “fake” for sending cakes instead of flowers.
Her reaction? Confusion more than anger.
“If You Befriended a Boy, You Were Slut-Shamed”
Growing up in Mumbai and studying at co-ed institutions, Raveena said she was always comfortable being friends with both boys and girls. That didn’t change when she entered films.
On set, she treated her co-stars like buddies. She laughed freely, joked around, and didn’t draw artificial boundaries. But according to her, certain magazines interpreted those friendships very differently.
She shared that simply being close to male co-stars such as Sanjay Kapoor or Arbaaz Khan led to judgemental commentary and slut-shaming.
Looking back, she feels the mindset was narrow. Yet, she also notes that those friendships have stood the test of time — many of those co-stars remain close friends even today.
Retreating Into a Shell
The constant scrutiny, she admitted, eventually made her withdraw. For a period, she stopped being as open and expressive in public.
Ironically, years later, some of the very editors who once criticised her now tell her husband, Anil Thadani, that she hasn’t changed at all — that she is still exactly the same person she was back then.
Which, in a way, feels like a quiet full circle.
Final Words
Raveena Tandon’s reflections are a reminder of how harsh the spotlight could be long before hashtags existed.
What she once faced through print tabloids mirrors today’s online trolling — only the platform has changed. The judgement hasn’t.
But if there’s one thing her journey shows, it’s this: staying authentic may come at a cost, but it also stands the test of time. And sometimes, that’s the real win.
