MUMBAI: The queen still rocks. Pop's sexy diva may have given up her trademark high heels and leather minis for meditation and massages after her sold-out farewell tour in 2000.

 

But below the mellowed-down exterior still lurks the energy, sass and sex appeal that made her Simply The Best.

 

At 64, Tina Turner is comfortable applauding the new crop of pop princesses like Beyonce Knowles and Christina Aguilera. "For a while," she says, "I thought that there would be no one to replace me. But I'm so glad they're finally here. Their style is totally different, but they are very talented and, I might add, very attractive girls."

 

Prod a little more about today's Tina-wannabes and the spirited singer, who survived a poor childhood and an abusive husband, picks up the gauntlet. "If I want, I can come back. I can stand with any of them on stage and hold my own. I am still in the playground."

 

But for now, Beyonce and Co. need not fear. The head-Turner is content to make her comeback as Merchant-Ivory's official goddess, playing Shakti, or feminine power, in a new film scripted by New York-based writer Suketu Mehta and set in India .

 

Turner, who created quite a stir in a sedate south Mumbai hotel lobby on Monday evening when she emerged from the elevator in uncharacteristically demure attire—striped Tao pants and a black shirt—makes no bones about her aptitude for the role.