2011 has started off great: Raveena

Raveena Tandon Thadani, in town recently, talks about awards, achievements and things that matter.
The year has started off on a ���������good note��������� for Raveena Tandon Thadani. As she puts it, ���������First, the Best Actress award for Raja Sen���������s ���������Laboratory���������, in Kolkata and the next day, I fly to Delhi to receive the Achiever���������s Award for my girl child related contribution.So, touchwood, 2011 has started off great.���������
And great is how the actor is feeling to have won the Best Actress award in Kolkata. ���������I feel fantastic, more so, because I got it for a film, which isn���������t in my language and also from an industry that I don���������t belong to. I���������m grateful to Tollywood for having bestowed this award on me. Now, I really feel that Kolkata is my second home,��������� stresses Raveena.
Incidentally, ���������Laboratory��������� won rave reviews internationally but seemingly failed to garner similar responses in the city. Ask the actor if, on hindsight, she might have analyzed the reasona behind such a lukewarm response and she explains, ���������I never found the time to watch the final product. So, I���������ve no idea what happened to it. In fact, the only time that I managed to see it was during dubbing as I insisted on dubbing my own lines. I intend to watch it sometime soon.���������
The actor also goes on to add, ���������Strangely, I���������ve had some fantastic feedback when the film was screened internationally. But I guess, it���������s fine even if it has not scored well with the masses. After all, this wasn���������t a typical commercial venture with a song-and-dance routine. Come to think of it, a film like ���������Daman��������� wasn���������t well-accepted though I won a National Award for the same, whereas, I missed out on the same in ���������Satta���������, a film that clicked enormously well with the masses. There���������s no formula to predict as to what will work with the audience.���������
But predictions apart, Raveena does know for sure that social causes is something she is passionate about. ���������When you are appreciated and awarded for your social work, you know that it���������s not only your talent as an actor that is being recognized but your endeavours too for working towards a cause. I believe, being a celeb, you should also give back to the society in some form or the other because it has catered to your name and fame,��������� says the actor and adds that silently, yet whole heartedly, she has been working for the environment, wildlife and towards a safe motherhood. ���������For a whole year, I���������ll be partnering UNICEF in an effort to working towards safe motherhood,��������� Raveena reveals.
Social cause apart, the actor has also been roped in for a reality show. ���������I���������ll be judging a comedy show. Comedy is something that I have enjoyed doing. And I guess, I am the only female judge-cum-team leader on this show. Comedy has been a mostly a male domain. So in a way, I intend to be a torchbearer there,��������� Raveena says, tongue firmly in cheek. ���������I don���������t think over exploitation works these days. I have done four reality shows so far. Last year, I was doing ���������Boudimoni��������� and hence, didn���������t take up any more offers. I still go by the logic of finishing one thing before going on to the next. Even the three new films that I have signed, will start post-April or May,��������� she says, hinting that when it comes to work, she���������s very choosy.
For this yummy mummy, her kids are her world. ���������I don���������t want to rush from one studio to another and suddenly realize that they are all grown up. My kids are too small and I want to spend as much time as I can with them. I had left them for two days and I was missing them terribly,��������� Raveena confides as a parting note.