Get those shiny skirts out. It’s time for war. The item song in Bollywood has been a controversial affair. It is loosely defined as an upbeat dance number in a film that often has provocative lyrics and choreography. It is most often than not centred around a female performer. The genre’s lewd lyrics and objectifying gaze have led to lesser and lesser item songs in recent times. However, there’s one thing that cannot be denied, as problematic as some of these sequences have been, they have also created pop culture history. Many-a-times the item number itself brought audiences into theatres. In short, we have stunning women in sparkly blouses to thank for the money.
And so, to honour the women that worked their butts off for these numbers, we are listing down some of our personal favourites. A beginner’s guide, if you will, to the item song:
Sheila ki Jawaani, Tees Maar Khan (2010)
Choreographer: Farah Khan
Music: Vishal-Shekhar
Director: Farah Khan
After watching Tees Maar Khan in 2010, everyone was chanting one name: Sheila. Katrina Kaif in Sheila ki Jawaani made everyone change their mind about the item song. The chorus; “my name is Sheila, sheila ki jawaani, I’m too sexy for you, I will never fall into your hands”; was an anthem for self love. Sheila is the unattainable woman. Sheila never settles. Sheila is a sex icon simply because she thinks so. Star director and choreographer Farah Khan has used every brain cell to make this sequence dynamic. It has your usual hip thrusts and chest bumps, dreamy closeups and oiled up body parts, but in its context, it takes on a whole new meaning; one of empowerment. The song itself is an absolute banger. The shrill sound of the harmonium complements the heavy percussion. Singer Sunidhi Chauhan has belted those notes like there is no tomorrow. We don’t sing about what is behind her blouse or under her skirt, oh no, we sing about self-loving Sheila ‘cause ‘ain’t nobody got a body like Sheila.’
Beedi, Omkara (2009)
Choreographer: Ganesh Acharya
Music: Vishal Bharadwaj
Director: Vishal Bharadwaj
Bipasha Basu, the actor who even has an item song named after, makes a special appearance in Omkara (2009), director Vishal Bharadwaj’s adaptation of Othello. The song in question is Beedi. Lyricist Gulzar writes beedi jalayle jigar se piya, jigar maa badi aag hai (light your cigarette with the heat from my bosom.) Innuendos? Yes. Many. The song on initial glance is rowdy, brazen and simply chaotic. But the camera work, choreography and placement of the song in the plot is perfection. It encapsulates a night in the village. Choreographer Ganesh Acharya is known for giving memorable hook steps that are recreated at every family function. This one was no exception. No wonder he won an award for this song.
Mayya Mayya, Guru ((2007)
Choreographer: (if anyone can find who this is please let me know. I am done with music labels not adding names of choreographers under their videos)
Music: A R Rahman
Director: Mani Ratnam
A.R Rahman is wildly competent at producing unforgettable item numbers. Mayya Mayya being one of them. The melodic, innocent soundtrack of the film Guru holds this peppy belly-dance number wonderfully. Starring Mallika Sherawat, the song transforms a performance in Turkey into a dynamic dance number. Director Mani Ratnam’s camera is known for romanticising ordinary moments. It has done precisely that. The opening shot of Mayya Mayya has Sherawat on a mirrored floor, her red beaded outfit complementing the blue of the ground marvellously as she sings ”Tu neel samandar hai (you are like the blue ocean).” The swishing of the beads adds an important sound to the song. And yes, she dances brilliantly.
Kajra Re, Bunty aur Babli (2005)
Choreographer: Vaibhavi Merchant
Music: Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy
Director: Shaad Ali
A best-item-number-list without an Aishwarya Rai song is criminal. Here is the song that every uncle, aunty, child and semi-adult knows; Kajre Re. The final song in the film Bunty aur Babli features the great Bacchan family; Aishwarya Rai Bacchan, husband Abhishek Bacchan and father-in-law Amitabh Bacchan. The song is great, the picturisation is fabulous but what is absolutely top tier is Rai’s dancing. The steps, as expected for this dancing queen, are far from simple. Her execution is precise, exact and graceful. Her expressions sing and light up the screen. But most importantly, she makes you want to dance. Almost every Aishwarya Rai song washes you over with a sense of calm excitement and satisfaction. That is how a dance number is done. (Watch Barso Re for proof). Side note: I need/want/have to see Aishwarya Rai in a dance number in 2024. Cinema needs it.
Aga Bai, Aiyyaa (2012)
Choreographer: Vaibhavi Merchant
Music: Amit Trivedi
Director: Sachin Kundalkar
Speaking of veteran actresses returning to the screen, Rani Mukherjee in Aga bai from Aiyyaa was straight up fire. The film had multiple item songs, all iconic but Aga bai showcased not just sex appeal but also skill. It was a belly dance number that Mukherjee trained hard for. After hits like Sheila, Munni and Chaliya, audiences had become used to size zero actresses shaking their hips on screen. Mukherjee broke the mould in Aga bai by showcasing her natural figure. Props to Prithviraj in this song for being the actual object of desire.
Aaja Nachle, Aaja Nachle (2007)
Choreographer: Vaibhavi Merchant
Music: Salim-Sulaiman
Director: Anil Mehta
The classification of Aaja Nachle as an item song could be controversial but what isn’t is Madhuri’s dancing prowess. In writing about her I have fallen in love yet again with what this dancing queen brings to the screen. Aaja Nachle from the movie with the same name is dedicated to Dixit’s dancing. The film marked the actresses return to the screen after a hiatus. The song with Vaibhavi Merchant’s choreography is a combination of the things Madhuri does best; hip movements, grace and expressions. That black and blue outfit will haunt me in my dreams.
Lovely, Happy New Year (2014)
Choreographer: Farah Khan and Geeta Kapur
Music: Vishal-Shekhar
Director: Farah Khan
A well produced, well picturised item song that still captures the sex appeal of the older ones? Lovely from director Farah Khan’s Happy New Year (2014). The song stars Bollywood’s hottest actor on the block, Deepika Padukone. We have sequins, deep blouses, a lot of body oil and some killer dance moves. Choreographers Farah Khan and Geeta Kapur have created moves that accentuate all of Padukone’s best features. The steps are simple, rhythmic and catchy, it makes everyone want to try them.
Ram Chahe Leela, Goliyon ki Rasleela Ramleela (2013)
Choreographer: Vishnu Deva
Music: Sanjay Leela Bhansali
Director: Sanay Leela Bhansali
The one thing item songs do the best is tease. And there is no doubt that Priyanka Chopra in Ram Chahe Leela has a PhD in it. Vishnu Deva’s choreography for the song from Goliyon ki Rasleela Ramleela (2013) is sensuous, strong and unique. And as always, director Sanjay Leela Bhansali with his magical eye picturises the song magnificently. He is a master at creating scenes that look larger than life.
The list is short, I know. And there are so many other item songs that have hip thrusted their way into the annals of Bollywood history. I wondered if some even classified as item songs like Chaiyya Chaiyya and Hai Raama, which if they do, I will go to jail for not including them in this list. While I wait for my sentencing, I’d love to hear from you about some of your favourites. Comment below! Let’s grow this list.
In the meantime, I’ll iron my sequined skirt.