Raveena Tandon
Raveena Tandon

While actress Raveena Tandon has stayed away from mainstream Bollywood for a couple of years, she will make a dramatic comeback in Anurag Kashyap‘s Bombay Velvet, in which she reportedly plays a Jazz singer.

Team MissMalini met her at the ongoing IIJW (India International Jewellery Week) in Mumbai and we spoke to her about her favourite pieces of jewellery. Here’s what she revealed to us, exclusively:

Raveena Tandon
Raveena Tandon

Team MissMalini (Team MM): Tell us about the brand of jewellery you sported on the ramp at the India International Jewellery Week (IJW2014) today. What is different about it?
Raveena Tandon (RT): I walked the ramp for designers Dipti & Amisha. Their designs are not the typical, regular kind of jewellery that you see. It’s very different and unique. If you look at the necklace I’m wearing, they have fused many different elements to make for one stunning piece. There is a layer of polki-cut diamonds, then a layer of rubies, and then a layer of emeralds and even a layer of polki-cut diamonds paired with scintillating, traditionally cut diamonds as well. It’s not like if it’s a set with emeralds, then you’re only wearing emeralds. What works for me is the many elements that come together to make up a single piece.

It’s experimental, new and definitely something different!

Raveena Tandon
Raveena Tandon

Team MM: What is the style of jewellery that you personally favour for yourself?
RT: I like big pieces (smiles). It really depends actually. Sometimes I just wear solitaires – two in my ears and a ring on my finger. Or at times, I would just wear one big chunky piece around my neck to make a statement. I like statement pieces. Subtle, yet statement pieces!

Raveena Tandon
Raveena Tandon

Team MM: Which piece of jewellery from your personal collection is your most favourite, and why?
RT: There are actually lots of them. Every piece of my jewellery has some story. But one which comes to mind is a beautiful hand-painted Shiva pendant, that is set in emeralds, sapphires and diamonds. I always get many compliments about it, whenever I wear it, so now I’ve got two more made – one for my son and one for my daughter.

In fact, now I’ve started making all my jewellery in twos – one for my son’s bride-to-be and one for my daughter, of course!

Raveena Tandon
Raveena Tandon

Team MM: Do you have any heirloom pieces of jewellery that hold sentimental value for you?
RT: Yes! My mother gifted me a tiny Gita (Holy book) made in gold and I’m going to convert it into a locket. I’m working on designs for that at the moment. I have not seen anyone else wearing something like that. It came from my nani to my mother and now she has given it to me. So it’s a very sentimental and valuable piece for me.

Team MM: Is there any famous and historical piece of jewellery that you would like to personally own?
RT: I wouldn’t like to own it but I rightfully feel that the jewellery, which was plundered and taken away from India through the British Raj, should be returned to India. I think it’s part of our heritage and our country needs it back.

Raveena Tandon
Raveena Tandon

Pix: Viral Bhayani for MissMalini