Raveena Tandon’s ‘I punched him back’ moment: The psychology of fighting back—and feeling shaken later - The Indian Express
In an old conversation with Simi Garewal, Raveena Tandon recalled a moment that has stayed with her, even though it happened years ago: in 2002. Speaking about that night, Simi—who was hosting an awards function with Raveena—mentioned how the actor was walking toward her car when a few “rowdy” men started “acting fresh” with her, prompting her to fight back. “Actually, I was quite in a state of shock. But yes, I did punch him back. I did,” Raveena said on the latter’s show Rendezvous.
Simi, clearly moved by the memory, replied: “I mean… I was speechless with awe.” Raveena continued: “I guess self-defence just comes in as a reflex… very instantly. And I had to do that.”
Reflecting on the incident, counselling psychologist Srishti Vatsa, who has worked with women navigating the aftermath of such experiences, says what makes stories like Raveena’s important isn’t just the bravery but also the vulnerability that follows.
DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to.
“Women often feel a mix of anger and shame… because their space and dignity were violated,” she explains. “So many questions come up—Was it what I wore? Did I do something wrong?”
Even when the response is fierce and fearless, it doesn’t always feel like closure. Vatsa adds: “Even those who respond bravely, as Raveena did, often carry the moment long after it’s over. Some feel proud. Others feel shaken—or even guilty.”
There’s often a gap between what happens publicly—cheers, praise, awe—and what happens inside a person. Vatsa shares that many of her clients have said things like:
This isn’t weakness—it’s the weight of what it means to defend yourself in a world that still, somehow, makes women question their safety and their reaction to its violation.
For some, like Raveena, it’s a punch; for others, it’s walking away safely, says the expert, adding: “Neither is more valid. What matters is that women are often left to carry not just the event but also its emotional processing—sometimes silently.”
“There’s adrenaline,” says Vatsa, “but also fear, self-doubt, and sometimes guilt. Some women are proud that they stood up for themselves. The confrontation shakes others. A lot depends on whether they felt supported—or alone.”
Even if a woman defends herself with courage, she deserves space to feel everything that comes after: relief, rage, fear, pride, or even confusion. “Because being brave doesn’t mean being unaffected. And healing starts by acknowledging both, he punch and the trembling that might follow,” Vatsa concludes.
DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to.
