Raveena Tandon's memories of "Tip Tip Barsa"

In the fiercely patriarchal set-up of the Indian entertainment industry, it isn't surprising that Akshay Kumar is performing to the song "Tip tip barsa pani" with Katrina Kaif in 'Sooryavanshi' 19 years after he did the same song with another heroine. Raveena Tandon had appeared in the original version of the song in the film 'Mohra'. It is ironical that the leading ladies of our heroes get younger and younger. 

Raveena, who looks no older today than she did 19 years ago, is no longer eligible to be Akshay Kumar's heroine today. Raveena recalls the shooting of the song with much affection and nostalgia. 'Mohra' had other hit numbers, notably "Tu cheez badi hai" mast. Today, if I am asked to dance to those lyrics, I'd probably think twice. 

Those were different times. As for "Tip tip barsa pani", we shot it like any rain song in our films where the heroine gets drenched in a chiffon saree. The reference point being Srideviji in "Kaate nahin kat te" (Mr. India). Raveena remembers being inhibited by the erotic mood of the number. "I was never comfortable doing provocative songs.

But this time, I was convinced that it would be okay. And, it was. The song was fabulous and the choreography, though erotic, was never suggestive or vulgar. I'd never do anything even remotely off-color in my entire career." Speaking of color, the yellow saree in the song was a rage. Raveena laughs, "No major thought went into the saree. It just seemed like a bright appealing color. When we shot the song, we never expected it to be remembered and remixed so many years later."