Baby factor: Raveena forgives all

MUMBAI: Raveena Tandon says now that she is deeply ensconced in motherhood and domesticity, past differences with other Bollywood actresses like Karisma Kapoor seem so trivial.

Raveena gave birth to a daughter last month, and says she has seen no bigger bliss. "It's as though my whole world has turned around. My sleeping, waking, laughing, breathing...every breath is dictated by my baby now!"

She smiles about her one-time arch-rival and colleague Karisma Kapoor's motherhood. "You know it's so strange. Lolo (Karisma) and I started out as actresses at the same time, got married around the same time and had our first baby at the same time. And we both have daughters!

"It's almost as though we have parallel horoscopes. Our differences in the past seem so silly and trivial. I wish her all the best, as I'm sure she wishes for me."
Raveena is blissfully swathed in motherhood. "Ever since our daughter was born, my life has changed completely. The new arrival keeps me on my toes constantly. Happily, my husband (Anil Thadani) is more than happy to share my duties. We keep vigil in the night together...or rather in turns. He loves playing papa almost as much as I love my new role."

The baby has been named Rashaa by her father. "Anil had thought of that name for his first-born from long before. According to her horoscope she's to be called Vishakha. But I guess Rashaa, she'll be. That's what her dad wants."

Right now Raveena's home in suburban Mumbai is a beehive of activity.

"Relatives and family friends keep pouring in. And the two moms-in-law - my mom and Anil's mom - have gone completely ballistic with the camera. There's a virtual battle to take the baby's pictures."

Raveena sounds domesticated. "I am! This is what I always wanted. I could've sacrificed any amount of professional success for a husband like Anil and a baby long back. Nothing compares with this."