When Rakshanda Khan did an M F Husain

When Rakshanda Khan did an M F Husain...

The actress travelled barefoot from Heathrow to Mumbai, after her chappal gave way

Sapana Patil Poojary

Always keep a pair of spare footwear handy. This was the lesson television actress Rakshanda Khan learnt while travelling from London recently. Khan usually comes across as someone who is conscious about the way she carries herself. But she was left with little choice but to keep her prim and propah self aside as she travelled half way across the globe wearing nothing but a pair of airline socks!

The actress was in the United States where she was a guest at a charity event for cancer patients. Rakshanda recalls, "I had gone to the US for a charity event which Pankaj Udhas is associated with. Sunil Gavaskar and Shatrughan Sinha had also come. While returning, I came via Heathrow. And after I had checked in at the Heathrow airport, the strap of my chappal gave way! I was so embarrassed!"

Khan says she usually has a pair of footwear in her cabin baggage, but didn't this time. She says, "I didn't know what to do! I usually keep a pair of shoes in my hand baggage, but this time I didn't because it was a long journey. And the rest of my baggage was checked in. Also, I generally wear sneakers on flight. But as luck would have it I decided to give them a pass this time."

Khan had almost given in to the idea of being entirely barefoot throughout the journey. She says, "I thought I would have to emulate M F Husain. But I found a way out. I wore the socks given by the airline and made my journey to India. It was good that I was wearing a pair of jeans."

But she took it all in her stride. She says, "I kept laughing all my way back. This was a first for me…" And hopefully also the last, we say.

• I usually keep a pair of shoes in my hand baggage, but this time I didn't...