Bollywood films have now become accustomed to "item numbers" or item songs, in which an attractive female character called the "item girl" often completely unrelated to the main cast and plot of the film performs a captivating song and dance number in the film. In older films, the "item number" may be performed by a courtesan, dancing for a rich patron or as part of a cabaret show. The dancer Helen was eminent for her cabaret numbers. In modern films, item numbers are often inserted as discotheque sequences, dancing at celebrations or as stage shows. The music used in such sequences is the upbeat rocking music that attracts the audience.

The classical meaning of "item number" in Indian cinema used to be related as highly sexualized songs with racy descriptions and indicative lyrics. The "item song" would feature an attractive girl who appears in the film as a dancer, usually in a bar or nightclub, and is taken in the film only for the purpose of that song. Earlier this concept was often frowned upon. But, today it is a commonly used with hardly any negative connotations to it.

The term "item number" in modern Indian cinema has now been flexible to include almost all upbeat dance numbers involving either an appealing woman in shiny clothing, or a "guest appearance" from a star and is present in the movie for the length of that song only. It has become quite common for these item numbers to occur in the opening and closing credits of Bollywood films. However, these days, there are many exceptions. Even if the lead or supporting actress dances to an upbeat song in the movie, it is being considered as an item number. For example, Sushmita Sen played an important role in the movie Sirf Tum but she also appeared as an item girl with the song `Dilbar dilbar`.

In the late 1980s, the Ek Do Teen sequence that was added to the movie, Tezaab as an afterthought, transformed Madhuri Dixit and made her a superstar in later years. This song is popular even today and some consider Madhuri Dixit to be the pioneer of the modern trend. But the actual pioneers of this trend is Helen, who did such numbers from as far back as the 1960s, along with other glamour girls like Bindu and Aruna Irani in the 1970s. Actress Urmila Matondkar is one of the most successful item girls, featured in "Chamma Chamma" in the 1998 film China Gate. Although there are many songs that can be called item numbers in the early and mid 1990`s, the term itself became closely associated with the name Shilpa Shetty, when danced for "Main Aai Hoon UP Bihar Lootne" in the movie Shool. Probably, this was the first time Bollywood actually referred to Shilpa as an "item girl" and the scene as a perfect "item number".

Malaika Arora Khan and Yana Gupta are more contemporary item number dancers of Bollywood who are renowned to win the ground, wherever they performed till date. They clearly declared to the media that they don`t want to act in movies since they earn adequate amount of money by just doing one song. Abhishek Bachchan probably became the first "item boy" with his performance in the film Rakht; Shahrukh Khan was also brilliant in his performance as an item boy during the casting of Kaal . However, he earned the label of item number in the true sense of the word with "Dard-e-Disco" in the Farah Khan directed Om Shanti Om where he was shot in typical "item girl" manner with bare six pack abs. He also performed an item number for the lately released movie Krazzy 4. In this film, Hrithik Roshan also has an item number during the end credits.

Many movies use item songs in their films as a marketing tool that is used as a trailer or a teaser to advertise the movie on television music channels. Sometimes reputable female and male actors will offer a special appearance" to an item number to improve the film`s marketability. Item numbers of this type are generally less exposing and have more of a pop flavor.

Indian Item Songs Performed By Actresses

Helen	Malaika Aora Khan	Yana Gupta	Shahrukh Khan
1971 - Piya Tu Ab To Aaja - Caravan	1998 - Chaiya Chaiya - Dil Se	2003 - Babuji Zara Dheera Chal - Dum	2005 - Kaal Dhamaal - Kaal
1973 - Aaj Ki Raat - Anamika	2002 - Mahi Ve - Kaante	2004 - oh! What A Babe - Rakht	2007 - Mast Kalandar - Heyy Babyy
1975 - Mehbooba Mehbooba - Sholay	2005 - Kaal Dhamaal - Kaal	2004 - Manmadhan - Manmadhan	2007 - Dard-e-disco - om Shanti om
1978 - Yeh Mera Dil - Don	2007 - Hath Rasiley - Welcome	2005 - Kadhal Yaanai - Anniyan	2008 - Break Free - Krazzy 4

Madhuri Dixit	Urmila Matondkar	Shilpa Shetty	Sushmita Sen
1988 - Ek Do Teen - Tezaab	1998 - Chamma Chamma - China Gate	1999 - Maine Aai UP Bihar Lootne - Shool	2000 - Mehboob Mere - Fiza
1992 - Dhak Dhak - Beta	2002 - Aa Hi Jaiye - Lajja	2000 - Macarena - Kushi	2001 - Shakalaka Baby - Mudhalvan
1993 - Choli Ke Peeche - Khalnayak	2007 - Mehbooba Mehbooba - Ram Gopal Varma Ki Aag	2004 - Saiyaan Mora Saiyaan - Garv	2001 - Shakalaka Baby - Nayak

Aishwarya Rai	Isha Kppikar	Shamita Shetty	Koena Mitra	Negar Khan	Esha Deol	Bipasha Basu
2001 - Ishq Kameena - Shakti	2002 - Khallas - Cmpany	2002 - Sharara Sharara - Mere Yaar Ki Shaadi Hai	2002 - Khullam Khulla - Road	2004 - Ishq Khudai - Rudraksh	2004 - Dhoom Machale - Dhoom	2006 - Beedi - Omkara
2005 - Kajra Re - Bunty aur Babli	2003 - Ishq Samundar - Kaante	2002 - Chori Pe Chori - Saathiya	2004 - Saaki Saaki - Musafir	2004 - Chal Hat - Shaadi Ka Laddoo	2007 - Sunday - Sunday	2006 - Namak - Omkara

Parveen Babi	Raveena Tandon	Nayantara	Kareena Kapoor	Mallika Sherawat	Abhishek Bachchan
1982 - Jawani Jaaneman - Namak Halaal	1994 - Tu Cheez Badi Hai - Mhra	2005 - Kodambakkam Area - Sivakasi	2006 - Yeh Mera Dil - Don	2007 - Mayya Mayya - Guru	2004 - one Love - Rakht
1982 - Raat Baki - Namak Halaal	1996 - Shahar Ki Ladki - Rakshak	2007 - Balleilakka - Sivaji: The Boss	2007 - It`s Rocking - Kya Love Story Hai	2007 - Mehbooba Mehbooba - Aap Ka Suroor - The Real Love Story	2006 - mehbooba mehbooba- [ram gopal verma ki aag]

Dia Mirza	Hrishitaa Bhatt	Amisha Patel	Hrithik Roshan
2006 - Pyaar Ki Chatni - Phir Hera Pheri	2008 - Ya Baba - My Name Is Anthony Gonsalves	2008 - Lazy Lamhe - Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic	2008 - Break Free - Krazzy 4

Karishma Kapoor	Tabu	Ramya Krishnan	Amrita Arora	Lara Dutta
1994 - Sexy Sexy - Khuddar	1994 - Ruk Ruk Ruk - Vijaypath	2003 - Thodhu Varumaa - Kaakha Kaakha	2003 - Dilli Ki Sardi - Zameen	2004 - Aisa Jad - Khakee

Rakhi Sawant

Year	Songs
2003	Mohabbat Hai Mirchi - Chura Liyaa Hai Tumne
2005	Ankhiyan Na Maar - Ek Khiladi Ek Haseena
2006	Kismat Se Chalti Hai - Malamaal Weekly
2008	Dekhta Hai Tu Kya - Krazzy 4
2008	Bichua - 192 (film)

Former item girls in pop songs other than films, Rakhi Sawant and Meghna Naidu, for example, are now in high demand and very popular. Today, they are even being offered lead roles in commercially successful movies. As of 2007, Mallika Sherawat has become the most expensive "Item Girl".