ITS going to be a tough act to follow. After Sushmita Sen took Indian beauty to dizzy heights by becoming Miss Universe and Aishwarya Rai followed it up by walking away with the Miss World title the same year, Indian contestants in these two pageants now face an over-expectant nation. And when you are the host country, it makes matters that much more dif-ficult. So, Rani Jeyraj, 22, the Indian challenge, has high expectations resting on her slim shoulders.
Ranis preparation for the contest began soon after she was crowned Femina Miss India World in January. Except for breaks in between to travel all over the country for fashion shows and an additional two months to prepare for her final year college examination, Rani has had her hands full.
Work began in earnest four months ago when Rani started putting her wardrobe together. For this it meant crisscrossing between Delhi, Mumbai and her hometown Bangalore. Ritu Kumar, whose association with these pageants has been extremely successful, has done the maximum number of outfits for Rani. Ravi Bajaj, Mumbai-based designer Anna Singh and Bangalores Adi Chandrashekar also chipped in to add to Ranis wardrobe. Says Rani: "I had to keep flying up and down for the fittings as every time I went for a fitting I would have lost some more weight." A proportionate well-toned body is essential for anyone who has one eye on the crown. Keeping that in mind, Rani was sent to two of the best dieticiansAnjali Mukherjee and Rama Bans. Says Rani: "Both told me contradictory things and it was difficult to stick to any kind of a diet as I was travelling so much." Since January, she has lost five kgs and licked problem areas like broad hips into shape.
From there on Rani was entrusted into the hands of make-up expert Bharat Godambe and Lubna Adams, who taught her how to walk on the ramp. At 56", Rani is dwarfed by fellow contestants like Miss Italy who is a formidable 63" or even Miss Hungary who stands six feet tall. With a height of 56", Ranis height may be her biggest drawback.
But model and anchorperson Arpana Sharma underplays it: "Even Aishwarya is only 56". If not the winner she should make it to the top five." How does Rani rate her chances? Says she: "When you enter a contest like this you cant think of losing. To be the best you have to believe to be the best." With such confidence, a stunning wardrobe and The Times of Indias winning formula, Rani stands a chance. Agrees designer Ashish Soni: "She has an unorthodox Indian face which is her strength. She also carries herself well. The deciding factor could well be how well she has been groomed."