Akshay Kumar on Raveena Tandon: 'Earlier a heroine, now a heroine's mother'
Synopsis
At the trailer launch of 'Welcome to the Jungle', Akshay Kumar paid tribute to Raveena Tandon's legendary professionalism — then delivered the line of the day: she has gone from being a heroine to a heroine's mother. It is a small quip, but it captures a generational shift in Bollywood as Raveena's daughter Rasha Thadani steps into the spotlight her mother once owned.
Key Takeaways
Akshay Kumar spoke about Raveena Tandon at the trailer launch of 'Welcome to the Jungle' in Mumbai on 11 June .
He praised Raveena as 'very very professional', recalling how she once changed costumes in a generator van to beat a sunset deadline on set.
Akshay quipped that Raveena has gone from being a heroine to a 'heroine's mother', referencing her daughter Rasha Thadani 's Bollywood entry.
Akshay and Raveena were reportedly engaged in the late 1990s after working together on films including 'Mohra' ; the engagement was later called off.
Akshay married Twinkle Khanna in January 2001 ; Raveena married Anil Thadani in 2004 .
Bollywood star Akshay Kumar has spoken warmly about his former co-star and one-time flame Raveena Tandon, noting with a touch of nostalgia how dramatically times have changed since their celebrated 1990s romance. His remarks came at the trailer launch of his upcoming film 'Welcome to the Jungle' in Mumbai on Thursday, 11 June, where he spoke to the media on the sidelines of the event.
What Akshay Said
Reflecting on Raveena's journey from leading lady to parent of one, Akshay offered a candid tribute to her professionalism. 'I want to tell you about Raveena that she has been very very professional,' he said. 'I still remember, I was shooting a film where the sun was about to set. And when the sun was about to set, there were only 25-30 minutes. And the green room was very far and she had to quickly change and come. That was impossible. But I still remember, she went to the generator van and quickly changed and came.'
He then added with a smile: 'So that has been, a lot of changes have happened. She is a brilliant actor. And one more thing that has changed, earlier she was a heroine, now she is a heroine's mother.' The remark was a pointed nod to Raveena's daughter Rasha Thadani, who is now making her own mark in the film industry.
A 1990s Romance Revisited
Akshay Kumar and Raveena Tandon were among Bollywood's most talked-about couples through the 1990s. Their romance reportedly blossomed after they worked together on films including 'Mohra', whose blockbuster success and iconic songs made them a fan-favourite pair. The two were reportedly engaged during the late 1990s and publicly acknowledged their relationship, but the engagement was eventually called off and both went their separate ways.
This is not the first time Akshay has spoken about Raveena with evident respect — over the years, the two have shared cordial public interactions, and their 1990s pairing remains one of Hindi cinema's most recalled romantic chapters.
Where They Are Now
Akshay married Twinkle Khanna in January 2001. The couple have two children — son Aarav and daughter Nitara. Raveena married film distributor Anil Thadani in 2004. She is the mother of four children: adopted daughters Pooja and Chhaya, and biological children Rasha and Ranbirvardhan.
The 'Welcome to the Jungle' Context
Akshay's comments came against the backdrop of the trailer launch of 'Welcome to the Jungle', his forthcoming ensemble comedy. The film marks another high-profile release in a packed schedule for the actor, who has consistently maintained a multi-film-per-year output. With Rasha Thadani now entering the industry, the generational shift Akshay described is as much a Bollywood milestone as a personal one.
Point of View
But it also marks something larger — a generational handover in Bollywood that rarely gets acknowledged so openly. The 1990s produced a handful of on-screen pairs whose chemistry outlasted their real-life relationships in public memory; Akshay-Raveena is chief among them. That both have moved on gracefully, and can speak of each other with warmth rather than awkwardness, is a rarity in an industry not always known for it. The more interesting story, though, is Rasha Thadani's — entering a profession where her mother's name is both a launchpad and a measuring stick.
NationPress
10 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Akshay Kumar say about Raveena Tandon at the 'Welcome to the Jungle' trailer launch?
Akshay Kumar praised Raveena Tandon as 'very very professional', recalling a specific incident where she changed costumes in a generator van to complete a shot before sunset. He also quipped that she has gone from being a heroine to a heroine's mother, referring to Raveena's daughter Rasha Thadani.
Who is Raveena Tandon's daughter Rasha Thadani?
Rasha Thadani is the biological daughter of Raveena Tandon and film distributor Anil Thadani, whom Raveena married in 2004. She is now entering the Bollywood film industry, prompting Akshay's remark about the generational shift.
What was the nature of Akshay Kumar and Raveena Tandon's relationship in the 1990s?
Akshay Kumar and Raveena Tandon were reportedly among Bollywood's most talked-about couples in the 1990s, with their romance said to have grown during the making of films like 'Mohra'. They were reportedly engaged in the late 1990s, but the engagement was eventually called off.
Who are Akshay Kumar and Raveena Tandon married to now?
Akshay Kumar married Twinkle Khanna in January 2001; they have two children, Aarav and Nitara. Raveena Tandon married film distributor Anil Thadani in 2004 and is the mother of four children — adopted daughters Pooja and Chhaya, and biological children Rasha and Ranbirvardhan.
What is 'Welcome to the Jungle' and when does it release?
'Welcome to the Jungle' is an upcoming Bollywood ensemble comedy featuring Akshay Kumar. Its trailer was launched in Mumbai on 11 June; a confirmed release date was not specified at the event.
