THE ITEM NUMBER

IMPACT
 CONTENTS

Introduction
Examples
Criticism and controversies
Necessities
Effects
Conclusion
 INTRODUCTION

 An item number or an item song, in Indian cinema, is a

musical performance that has little to do with the film in
which it appears, but is presented to showcase beautiful
dancing women in very revealing clothes, to lend support to
the marketability of the film.
 1970s, Bollywood often relied on the figure of the vamp,
usually a cabaret dancer.
 The item number basically, has little aesthetic and content
value.
 Till 2000 avg no. of songs per year was 4-5 but after that it
soar to 14-18 per year.
 EXAMPLES

Song (Movie Name) Actress

Piya tu ab to aa ja (Carvann) Helen

Tip tip barsa pani (Mohra) Ravina tandon

Beedi Jalile (Omkara ) Bipasha basu

Kajra Re (Bunty Aur Babli) Aswariya Rai

Munni badnam (Daabang) Malika arora

Sheela ki jawani (Tees mar khaan) Katrina kaif

 EFFECTS

 Creates bad impact on the teenagers

: the lyrics.
: the apparels.
: expressions.
 Culture being affected.
 Respect for girls minimize.
 Behavior of children gets influenced.
 Family entertainment being minimized.
 NECESSITIES

• 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.
• Marketing tool that is used as a trailer or a
teaser to advertise the movie on television
music channels.
• For commercial growth of the film industry.
• For getting fame and to set the new comers
in industry.
 CRITICISM
AND CONTROVERSIES

• Item numbers have been criticized for their gratuitous

objectification of the female body.
• Cinematography Act 1952 does not certify such songs,
dances, dialogues, scenes, etc. before promo’s .
• Imitation of item numbers from dance bars to public
theaters are amoral.
• Objection towards use of women for commercial gain.
• Controversies of various lyrics of songs
 CONCLUSION

 These is a very vast topic for

discussion.
 Difficult decision.
 Its use for commercial purpose,
increases revenue and profit of film
industry.
 Captures the young generation easily.
 Related business also improves.
 It is affecting the Indian culture.
 Controlling the teenagers behavior is
difficult.
THANK YOU

Aniketh Jalan
Jagdish Yadav
Anuradha Singh