‘I am game for TV’-Raveena

The 'mast mast' girl is back into the limelight. Fresh from a maternity break, she has packed on a few extra pounds to her old lean and shapely frame. Raveena may be a little bulky now, but her face is as charming as it was a decade ago when she crooned 'tip tip barsa paani' under a waterfall. This time, she is back with some good news for her fans.

Raveena Tandon, who has taken a long break from showbiz, now has plans to get back to Bollywood. Not immediately, though. At present, she is happy judging a talent hunt show for kids. Why? she adores kids, she says.

It wasn't difficult for Raveena to accept 9X's offer to judge Chak De Bachche. "I did get a lot of offers to judge reality shows. But they all had adult contestants and I wasn't keen on these shows because adults are complicated people. But I absolutely adore kids as they are so innocent. I am glad to be part of Chak De Bachche because it's more like a gateway into a world of childhood wonder. It's surely going to be fun," says the 'mast mast' girl who is also sold on to the show's big city Vs small town concept. "Also, this show is a step forward in the talent hunts format as it is looking for a complete performer and not just a singer or dancer."

"We tend to believe that city kids are very smart and more talented than their small town counterparts. But despite fewer opportunities and ill-equipped facilities, small town kids have the grit and determination to overcome the shortcomings and succeed. The kind of talent that exists in the country astounds me. Being part of a show that searches and encourages those who deserve to succeed is an honour," says Raveena.

She however, admits that she was a little worried about the small town kids competing with big city boys. "I was bit doubtful and concerned about their confidence. But they have really surprised me. After doing one episode with them and having seen them performing confidently I am sure they will be able to take the challenge quite effortlessly," she adds.

Raveena doesn't think that reality talent hunts for kids put any extra pressure on their impressionable minds, or the fear of getting eliminated can impact their confidence. "I think studies and exams unnerve kids more than talent hunts. Today, pressure comes more from schools," she quips.

Raveena agrees that there is a lot of reality television happening. "But I think it's good because it gives lot of opportunities to common people to showcase their talent," she adds.

Talking about her role as judge, Raveena says music director duo Salim and Sulaiman will judge the kids based on their vocals, whereas choreographer Ganesh Acharya will be keenly watching their dance performance. "My job is to do an overall assessment of talent, expressions and presentation," she says.

In her opinion talents hunts are the best things that happened to television. "They give a huge platform and exposure to deserving talents who otherwise would have gone unnoticed," she says.

Try telling her that winners of many a singing talent hunt end up doing mainly stage shows and she shoots back saying that good talent always flourishes. "It requires perseverance and patience. Some of the best upcoming singers we have today are products of talents hunts," she defends. Raveena says with Chak De she is slowly getting back to work. "I can't commit too much of time because my kids are small," she adds.

Films may or may not happen. "I am yet to take a call on films," she clarifies. Television fiction also doesn't excite her. But reality shows do. "I won't do soaps but I am more than game for reality TV," she says.

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