Adding all the spice!
By Ankita R Kanabar
(This feature was published in the December 8, 2012 issue of Super Cinema)
Fun,
glamour, oomph, fisticuffs, bade-bade dialogue and lots of ‘naach-gaana’ is
what the quintessential Hindi Cinema comprises of. Of course, song and dance
sequences are integral to our films and are totally inseparable. Now, we have
movies of various genres and a vast variety of subjects, but, the west still,
more often than not, identifies with our films as full of dancing and lots of
vibrancy. All these song and dance sequences probably define our Hindi Cinema
culture. That explains why, a term like ‘Bollywood dancing’ exists. While we’re
talking about those wonderful songs, and romantic sequences that look
larger-than-life on-screen, on the other hand, there’s always been something
like ‘item songs’. Vyjanthimala, who is still remembered as one of the finest
dancers Indian Cinema has ever seen, is said to be the first actress to have
done an item song, ‘Man dole mera tan dole’ in the 1954 hit film ‘Nagin’. The
song is a classic, and is still remembered for Vyjanthimala’s mesmerising
moves. In fact, this particular song had gained more popularity than the film
itself. Cut to present. We now have Katrina Kaif grooving to ‘Chikni Chameli’,
and Kareena Kapoor amusing us with her ‘Fevicol’ stint. Over the years, the
trends have changed, but item numbers have always been a part of the Hindi
Cinema culture. But while Vyjanthimala charmed the audience with her simplicity
and grace, later the trend was to have an item girl dancing sensuously to a
racy number. Dance numbers were then, not done by actresses, but by
professional dancers who would usually only be seen in a song. These dancers would
don the role of cabaret dancers, ‘tawaifs’ or the villain’s sidekick and fill
in for the glamour, sexy quotient in the film, because back then, actresses
used to usually play, righteous, ‘sati-savitri’ kind of roles. They left the
seduction bit to ‘the other woman’. In the 60’s and 70’s, Helen completely
ruled all the item numbers, and fit into the ‘ultimate cabaret dancer’ category
with a number of popular songs. Actresses like Bindu and Aruna Irani were also
in demand when it came to peppy numbers that instantly would strike a chord
with the audience and stand high on the popularity charts. Later, the trend of
leading ladies performing to popular dance numbers took a rise with heroines like
Zeenat Aman and Parveen Babi. Oh and who can forget the evergreen Rekha, her
dancing skills and her songs? It’s not your fault if you can’t get over Rekha
when you see her dancing on those songs, even today. And then, came Madhuri
Dixit. A mainstream actress who did several hit films, and performed meaty
roles, but completely wooed the audience with her dancing prowess. We also had
actresses like Urmila Matondkar and Raveena Tandon who did a perfect ten job
when it came to dance numbers. But the tables turned again, and item girls came
into picture. That’s why we know of Rakhi Sawant, Yana Gupta, and several
others. Malaika Arora Khan is the ultimate item girl with several hit numbers
in her kitty. In recent times though, we have several top-notch actresses doing
item numbers and being their sensuous best. Today, seemingly, it’s become
important for a mainstream actress to be a part of an item number in order to motivate
her popularity and status in the industry. Heroines seem to be grabbing the
opportunity of dancing on a raunchy number. They have no qualms about being
typecast, or not getting ‘serious’ roles as a result of doing more item
numbers. And no, it’s not just the actresses who seem fascinated by item
numbers. We now, even have item boys. But of course, it’s the heroines who rule
this category. We have Salman Khan doing a ‘Peeni Hai’ and dancing with ‘Munni’,
Aamir Khan dancing on ‘I hate you, like I love you’, and Shah Rukh Khan doing a
‘Dard-e-disco’. One still remembers Abhishek Bachchan and his ‘One Love’ stint.
Undoubtedly, item numbers are considered important in order to create some
sizzle, and create more appeal towards the film. They help to draw audiences to
the theatres and that explains why producers are willing to spend huge ‘moolah’
on item numbers. Some love item numbers, some hate item numbers, but one
definitely can’t ignore them. Here’s a list of actresses who seem to have got
it bang on, when it comes to item numbers. We also have few item girls talking
about ‘item numbers’ and the changing trends. Take a look!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjbaMm0VDhM1T6XumnTtuyyuV1iKPqgDtCdKbJpllNxrNAfKJe6vOOHjxYM1qVR1td4G9Wjc7Bm8ol4BY4x_Lp6k-Oz7ulO-RqGM4ZQTPKnwAYkFgCLAhKAt0wolklQTMqdZJwEC3xa2Bk/s320/vyjayanthimala+in+light+brown+dress.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeGeAxNROoo_7mimqVH_p67SHDE29z4Agwqh1oBggbb6suQk2iDsFeM7zrUJd8P9OY8w6r93LA79ASQ59amgdkCJxyDo3QL_KhOxMPYV50H7g_9wa6wU_8X8kaMPk41df1WWbNlqzL5G8a/s320/Helen+2.jpg)
Parveen Babi: Parveen Babi was known for her charm.
She looked innocent and sexy at the same time and the audience has loved her in
her films and dance numbers. Two of her most famous songs that all of us still
remember and love are, ‘Raat Baaki Baat Baaki’ and ‘Jawaani Jaaneman, Haseen
Dilruba’. Both these songs are fresh in the minds of the audience even today
and they certainly helped in raising the actresses’ popularity.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmydC_KMErVzkHs4GHCoP3mXMFGAGxiOQu0kWH6T8bAArfiMXFlnjdv9wDq3wh_pR_sORaQUXulSVmUCbPuRXkKZAXRrO6XGNYZN28m3mCuZOO4dSbgxMkWhkmuBMOzEzz1l_6tXYBYvKm/s320/Rekha+umrao+Jan+mujra.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9be9xRShRvblvLlE6Ekxluo3HYbt7vx3iWADmcJKqoaXTLt51Mg8-92GGCVmV3SOEfGcbo45vbu5GR3HDD3pxV6QIceZBmZL6g23_DAxrH_m_kFjcvmfu3WwNkEFEyM7KbprnZkUXn-4G/s320/madhuri+1.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH7Bl9ueYafj1Q-f7UD7AcarkN3bXT4wcUA8QyFPCGRRBZ_WE9aYdB9YC8_CUh6tCDdMUf0v4FjrOeGQ5J2glw_O5hIicQakpXV3WL6w49mo13hhlCLWQeO8t2fzOoBFJ5ljhwL97rPHhQ/s320/Urmila.jpg)
Malaika Arora Khan: From ‘Chaiyya Chaiyya’ to ‘Munni
Badnaam Huyi’ to ‘Anarkali’, Malaika Arora Khan is undoubtedly one of the
top-notch item girls ever. She can be touted as a trend-setter when it comes to
item songs because, she does something different and that goes on to become a
trend. For instance, her song ‘Mahi Ve’ from ‘Kaante’ brought the typical pole
dancing style and strip clubs to Indian Cinema. Then she did the desi, raunchy,
‘Munni Badnaam’, post which we had the likes of ‘Sheila Ki Jawaani’, ‘Halkat
Jawaani’ and ‘Chikni Chameli’ coming in. She’s also called the ‘yummy mummy’.
The unique style and naughtiness that Malaika brings in to her songs is
probably what sets her apart. Commendable dancing skills, the power to connect
with the audience and make men drool over her, is probably what makes Malaika
so very awesome.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9e0y7lN_AMQzrjQ5r4UKZveS3Sh3TALYpClU2iYIT_kPHKGnyot319uUCan7zsBu_TlyKlUfZOyAlyihdUfr4F_FeIlmGD6W0bZ0_SVbDkonezOzOsw_whgVNzAjPCGgHqm6jrtAe463e/s400/Aishwarya+Kajrare.jpg)
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Kareena Kapoor: She’s confident, naughty, flamboyant
and beautiful. And all that is what you see even in her dance numbers. Kareena Kapoor
dances like nobody’s seeing her. Her expressions, even in the rowdiest dance
numbers, like the very recent ‘Fevicol’ from ‘Dabangg 2’ look extremely real.
It’s like she’s just dancing for herself and has nothing to prove to the world.
That you can observe in all her acts. And undoubtedly, she’s improved so much
over time. From ‘You’re my soniya’ to ‘It’s rocking’ to ‘Yeh Mera Dil’ to
‘Mauja Hi Mauja’, to ‘Marjaani’ to ‘Bebo Main Bebo’ to ‘Chammak Challo’ to ‘Dil
Mera Muft Ka’, and then, of course, ‘Halkat Jawaani’; each song is different
and Bebo has certainly added her personal touch and vivaciousness to every
dance and that’s what probably makes her stand out. She has her distinctive
style and confidence and that’s what we love about her.
Mallika Sherawat: Mallika Sherawat has the knack of
making heads turn with what she does on-screen. Being sexy probably comes
naturally to this ‘Murder’ girl. Her song ‘Mayya Mayya’ from Mani Ratnam’s
‘Guru’ generated a lot of buzz and was enough to make her a favourite among
filmmakers and the audience when it came to item numbers. She dazzled the
screen with several other item numbers like ‘Razia’, ‘Shalu Ke Thumkey’,
‘Jalebi Bai’ and ‘Laila’. Of course, Jalebi Bai was the most famous among all. So
much so, that Mallika is now also referred to as ‘Jalebi Bai’. Indeed, Mallika
knows how to set the temperatures soaring.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsOYUlfpWUI4t1nESFjdJykZtZdzqzqcOGHCc3VB5aAvY8TAvoQCUaz0jStxuG_iRwpOxc-5OAvuNFp3XjsWYsrJKiSXStLZ2gYK9xSQk4W4vwrlfJoHJ3CedJvzIxOKl58Ut7_yLozh0q/s320/Bipasha11327035168.jpg)
Deepika Padukone: Her dynamic presence on the screen is
what makes you take notice of Deepika. Her smile coupled with dimples as she
dances, adds all what is needed for her dance to look great. When you see her
dancing, you get a feeling that dancing must be like a cake for her. That’s the
kind of ease she portrays on-screen. Being a newcomer, performing with SRK in a
song like ‘Love Mera Hit Hit’ and getting highly noticed is no small feat. Her
dance numbers like ‘Uff Teri Adaa’ and ‘Kadhi Te Has Bol De’, from her films
have been equally successful. But the highlight remains her item number in ‘Dum
Maro Dum’ which was one of the major attractions of the film. The leggy lass
did the same yet again in ‘Cocktail’. She definitely knows how to dance and how
to allure the audience.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7CnNrFGi2lSY9udSGQ5NoJhtznWAJPznWY76RXy2Kp_1A5Ln6RdPVjygWtPIBGM7kLRPWw0CO15e-wR4VqUNnMeYMimT4L190yo0sL1miASvzjM182EKv14LN9k05ICvMqtox51cc4RYH/s320/claudia-balma-2.jpg)
– Claudia Ciesla.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis6ACNiiLfZP4JObpc_5gS-iewmuSHWJPvMw6TEG3EpWdiU5g8BNVn_VYfrmP45bJFbOW-I5wlnHR2HHgd15eS18ctilzAPWLYKL3XXcAglCoimcd-PslwBrBwQRTkI68b5QSWyFVNagBE/s320/Aa+Re+Pritam+Pyare+Rowdy+Rathore.jpg)
– Shakti Mohan
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