Rai next took the leading role of Mansi, an aspiring singer, in Subhash Ghai's musical "Taal"; alongside Akshay Khanna, Anil Kapoor, Amrish Puri and Alok Nath. A reviewer for Rediff praised her acting and dancing prowess in it and wrote that "Taal will again enhance her reputation as an actress while in no way detracting from her image as a traffic-stopper". A moderate domestic success, "Taal" was notable for being the first Indian film to feature in the top twenty listing at the American box office. Rai received a second Best Actress nomination that year at the Filmfare Awards ceremony.