Do You Think Having An Item Number In Every Movie Is Alright?

Loosely defined as a peppy, bold song that is largely irrelevant to the plot of the movie, item numbers have been around forever. Since the 1930s to be precise! Yes, don’t go about thinking that item numbers in movies are a modern, 21st century invention. What else do you think the legendary Helen was doing in all her songs? Aruna Irani started out as an item girl too, taking the place of the Golden Girl, Helen! In fact, the now disappeared Urmila Matondkar was one of the most famous item girls of her time. Remember Chamma Chamma?

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Bollywood✨ (@bollydiamond_) on Apr 16, 2018 at 7:58am PDT

The list of famous item girls is quite a long one in fact. And the popularity of such tracks is unparalleled. If they weren’t super popular, why would leading ladies of Bollywood such as Katrina Kaif or Kareena Kapoor gladly jump on the item number bandwagon? However, their popularity begs the question— is it okay to have an item number in every movie?

If you ask me, I believe that it’s okay! I know a lot of people reading this are rolling their eyes at me right now and giving me the stink eye, but I still believe it’s alright. I mean, what’s the big deal? It’s not like item numbers are completely useless even though they’re made out to be so. They do serve a purpose. Sometimes a bigger purpose than we attribute to them.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by B O L L Y W O O D (@bollyswagat) on Aug 29, 2018 at 5:47pm PDT

Take the song Beedi from the movie Omkara for example. Bipasha’s provocative moves to the suggestive lyrics might seem like they have no place in a movie like Omkara, but they do. It’s during that very song that Saif Ali Khan’s character Langa Tyagi is seen plotting and scheming against Ajay Devgn’s role as Omkara, the central protagonist.

Even the seemingly silly song Jalebi Bai has a role to play in the 2011 flick Double Dhamaal. If you watch the video closely, that song serves as the backdrop for the biggest robbery in the movie, which is a strong part of its entire premise! Then there’s Yeh Mera Dil from the remake of Don. There’s a reason why Kareena intends to seduce Shah Rukh Khan.

Yes, of course, there are pointless item numbers too, but even they can be quite helpful when included in the movie. Let me elaborate on that further!

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Namaste ✨ (@bollylive) on Nov 25, 2017 at 8:26am PST

Another reason why I believe, item numbers should continue remaining a part of Bollywood movies is because they offer a break. There’ve been plenty of times when I’ve been sitting in a freezing movie hall just dying to go to the washroom but the interval is way too far off! At such points, item numbers serve as a more than welcome pee break.

I swear, my bladder would’ve exploded if it wasn’t for a break in the form of songs like Munni Badnaam Hui, Sheila Ki Jawani or Kajra Re. I owe my wellbeing to these songs, so I, for one, definitely want them in movies. Now, I’m sure you can see that I’m kind of right in supporting the existence of item songs.

One more major reason why I am a supporter of item songs in movies is because they give you crazy music you can dance to! Don’t you have amazing fun tapping your feet to lyrics like “Main Zandu balm hui, darling tere liye”? I know that I do! In fact, “Dilwale ko dil ka karaar lootne, main aayi hoon UP-Bihar lootne” still gets me going like nothing else. Let’s not forget that Chaiya Chaiya is also an item song!

However, I know that despite my arguments in favor of item songs, there are those of you that simply balk at the objectification of women in these sexualized tracks. And you’re not wrong. I completely agree with you. The representation of women in tracks like Dekh le (Munnabhai MBBS), Babuji Zara Dheere Chalo (Dum) and Oh La La (The Dirty Picture) needs to stop. Women are much more than “baby dolls of gold” as Sunny Leone’s songs would have us believe.

But, if I was given a choice between having item numbers in movies and not having them at all, I’d kind of choose the former. With one condition though. And that would be that item numbers shouldn’t be a part of the movie just for the heck of them.

Women shouldn’t have to go through the experience of being objectified just for the pleasures of men. The item songs should be relevant to the movie and to the audience watching them. In fact, in my opinion, there should be male item numbers as well! Does anybody remember Dard-e-Disco from Om Shanthi Om? I’m all for gender parity, you see. After all, why should only women be sexualized and be made to dance provocatively? Why can’t men do the same?

So, that’s my opinion on item numbers and their place in movie. I hope I didn’t offend anyone. Anyway, I would love to hear what you think! Drop your views in the comments below.

Was this article helpful?