
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".