Arriving in a pink churidar-kurta set off by a string of pearls and Bata sandals to a press conference at Maurya Sheraton, the petite amber-eyed star perched her sunglasses on her head, gearing up to answer questions. But more than shoes, it was her height which was discussed the most. But Rani remained unruffled. First, she was asked whether she knew that a ``high-heeled'' heroine like her was like a walking invitation for a slipped disc? ``Yes, that's why I've gone in for Bata which doesn't have any high heels,'' she quipped.

And what did she consider to be the ideal height for a woman? ``You should be tall enough to reach your father's and your husband's heart. I qualify in that respect. So I think my height is ideal,'' she shot back with a smile. But the winner came when she was asked about the different uses shoes could be put to. ``Aapne kabhi Bata ka chaanta nahin khaya kya? (Haven't you ever had a Bata slap before?)'' she said to everyone's amusement.

Asked why she decided to endorse shoes and not cosmetics, she said as a child she grew up watching her dad being very particular about his shoes. ``Besides, my mum has always loved Bata,'' she said. Would she feel comfortable wearing a Bata rubber chappal to a party? She shot back: ``Why not? If the biggest of politicians can wear a dhoti-kurta and kolhapuri chappals, why can't I?'' Why did she think she was chosen to be the Bata girl, someone else asked. ``Because I look like the girl next door,'' she said.

She also talked about her forthcoming films: Hey Ram, where she plays Kamalhassan's wife, and the other, Raj Kanwar's Badal, with Bobby Deol, scheduled for release in January 2000. Any plans for the millennium? Not really. She's going to be working through the end of the century because it's just another year for her. As for the inevitable comparison with cousin Kajol, she said: ``Why should there be any rivalry? She's my sister.'' Yes, brands and all, even if she doesn't share her ``sister's'' passion for reading.