Indian Cinema is Third cinema of the world in terms of Box Office and the first in terms of annual output of films. Indian Cinema produces around 2,000 movies per year in different languages. If we talk about Hindi film Industry or Bollywood’s contribution to Indian Cinema then you should know that 44% of all the Indian Cinema movies are from Bollywood. A movie in Indian Cinema has almost every emotion like drama, comedy, tragedy, action, romance etc. Almost every bollywood movie no matter the genre has an item song in it. The item songs of movies generally have item girls performing in it.
These songs are party songs in which item girls dance and these songs get viral quickly. They are favored by filmmakers as they afford the opportunity to pick potential hit songs from the stocks, since they do not add to the continuity of the plot. It is thus a vehicle for commercial success that ensures repeat viewing.
Here are the Most Famous Item Girls in Indian Cinema.
Item girls in 1930s-1970s
Cuckoo Moray
Awaara (1951), Aan (1952) and Shabistan (1951)
Songs:- Bechain Dil Khoi Si Nazar, Abhi Toh Main Jawan Hu
Vyjayanthimala
Devdas (1955), Amrapali (1966), Madhumati (1958), Sadhna (1958), Sunghursh (1968)
Songs:- Man Dole Mera Tan Dole, Chadh Gayo Papi Bichhua, Julmi sang aankh ladi
Helen Ann Richardson Khan
Howrah Bridge (1958), Caravan (1971), Sholay (1978), Don (1978), Teesri Manzil (1966), Inkaar (1977)
Songs:- Mera Naam Chin Chin Choo, Piya Tu Ab To Aaja, Mehbooba Mehbooba, Yeh Mera Dil, Mungda
Jayshree Talpade
Joroo ka Gulam (1972), Hamari Bahu Alka (1982), Ghar Dwaar (1985),
Songs:- Jaam Par Jaam Peene Se, Pakka Jamun Todo Nahin, Baaja Baja
Bindu
Kati Patang (1971), Dharkan (1972), Anhonee (1973), Zanjeer (1973), Jaggu (1975), Shaque (1976), Rahu Ketu (1978)
Songs:- ‘Mera Naam Hai Shabnam, Pi Meri Aankhon Se, Hungama Ho Gaya, Diljalon Ka Dil Jala Ke, Mere Naam Ka Chala Hai Yeh Jaam, Yeh Kahan Aa Gayee Main, Mujhe Chhuna Na
Aruna Irani
Sanyasi (1975), Bhoola Bhatka (1976), Jyoti (1981), Gaon Hamara Shaher Tumhara(1972), Disco Dancer (1982)
Sham-e-furqat Ka Dhal Gaya , Kahin Se Koi, Thoda Resham Lagta Hai, Kaisey Kat’ti Hai Raat, Auva Auva
Padma Khanna
Chingari (1971), Hone lagi Hai Raat (1973), Johny Mera Naam (1970), Lakhon Me Ek (1971), Hera Pheri (1976),
Songs:- Ae Yaar Mujhe Thaam, Hone Lagi hai Raat, Husn Ke Lakhon Rang, Mein Tera Naam Janu Na, Aapka Sarkar Kya Kuchh,
Zeenat Aman
Hum Kisise Kum Naheen (1977), Abdullah (1980), Ajanabee (1974), Don
(1978), Hare Rama Hare Krishna (1971)
Songs:- Chura Liya Hai Tumne Jo Dil Ko, Kya Dekhte Ho, Hum Tumhen Chahte Hain, Bheegi Bheegi Raaton Mein, Jiska Mujhe Tha Intezar, Dum Maaro Dum
Item Girls in 1980s-1990s
Around the 1980s the vamp and the heroine merged into one figure. The heroine had begun to perform the bolder songs. The craze for “tribal and banjara” item numbers soon gave way to bolder choreography.
Silk Smitha
Fauladi Mukka (1985), Chor Ke Ghar Chorni (1990), Jawani Ki Jalan (1990), Taqatwala (1984), Toofan Hi Toofan (1987), Badla Aurat Ka (1987)
Songs:- Aa Balma Bas Main Nahi Mora Jiya, Aa Ke Naache Gaye Duniya Ko Bhool Jaye, Aa Pyaar Ka Sauda Karen, Aao na re Balam, Aasha Ke Roop Mein, Aey Bhola Bhal Man
Madhuri Dixit
Tezaab (1988), Beta (1992), Anjaam (1994), Khalnayak (1993), Thanedaar (1990), Yaraana (1995), Sailaab (1990)
Songs:- Ek Do Teen, Dhak Dhak, Chane Ke Khet me, Choli ke peeche kya hai, Tamma Tamma Loge, Mera Piya Ghar Aaya, Humko Aaj Kal Hai Intezaar
Shilpa Shetty
Shool (1999)
Song:- Main Aai Hoon UP Bihar Lootne
Item Girls in 2000s
The 2000s was the era when many new faces joined the Indian Cinema. The heroines of the 1980s were also active during this period. Madhuri Dixit presented two item songs i.e. “Dola Re” and “Maar Dala” in the film Devdas (2002). The 2000s saw a new era for item girls as they get more roles and even main roles in movies. In 2007, Mallika Sherawat became the most expensive item girl, for the song “Mehbooba O Mehbooba” in Aap Ka Suroor – The Real Love Story.
Mallika Sherawat
Aap Ka Suroor – The Real Love Story,
Song:- Mehbooba O Mehbooba
Urmila Matondkar
China Gate (1998), Karzzzz.(2008), Rangeela (1995)
Songs:- Chamma Chamma, Tandoori Nights, Hai Rama
Malaika Arora
Bombay, Kaante (2002), Welcome (2007), Kaal (2005), Kal Ho Na Ho (2003), Dabangg (2010), Housefull 2
Songs:- Chaiyaa Chaiyaa, Hoth Rasiley, Mahi Ve, Kaal Dhamaal, Munni Badnaam Hui, Anarkali Disco Chali
Yana Gupta
Dum (2003), Rakht (2004), Jogi (2005), Chalo Dilli (2011), Murder 2 (2011)
Songs:- Bijli Giri, Oh! What a Babe!, Bin Ladin Nan Maava!, Laila O Laila, Aa Zara
Bipasha Basu
Omkara (2006), Jism (2003), No Entry (2005), Players (2011), Aa Dekhen Zara (2009)
Songs:- Beedi, Namak, Jaadu Hai Nasha Hai, No entry, Ho Gayi Tun, Aa Dekhen Zara
Item girls in 2010s
The 2010 era literally the era of item girls as even though the film is ordinary the item numbers were a huge hit. Like the Anarkali Disco Chali of Housefull 2. This era saw the rise of new heroines as well as item numbers in the Indian Cinema. In this era almost every heroine has worked in at least one item song. Trust me this list is gonna be long.
Katrina Kaif
Tees Maar Khan (2010), Agneepath (2012), Baar Baar Dekho (2018), Bang Bang (2014), Bharat (2019), Tiger Zinda Hai (2017), Phantom (2015), Dhoom 3 (2013)
Songs:- Chikni Chameli, Sheila Ki Jawani, Kala Chashma, Bang Bang, Aithey Aa, Swag Se Swagat, Afghan Jalebi, Kamli Kamli
Deepika Padukone
Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani (2013), Race 2 (2013), Happy New Year (2014), Dum Maro Dum (2011)
Songs:- Balam Pichkari, Party On My Mind, Lovely, Dum Maro Dum
Priyanka Chopra
Shootout at Wadala (2013), Zanjeer (2013), Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela (2013), Dostana (2008), Gunday (2013),
Songs:- Babli Badmaash, Pinky hai Paise Walon Ki, Ram Chahe Leela, Desi Girl, Asalaam-e-Ishqum
Mahi Gill
Bullet Raja (2013), Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster 3 (2013), Family of Thakurganj (2019), Door Ke Darshan (2020)
Songs:- Lag Ja Gale, Don’t touch my body, Fancy Thumke, Aaya Laadiye
Sonakshi Sinha
Total Dhamaal (2019), Oh My God (2012)
Songs:- Mungda, Govinda Govinda
Jacqueline Fernandez
A Flying Jatt (2016), Dhishoom (2016), Saaho (2019), Baaghi 2 (2018), Judwaa 2 (2017), A Gentlemen (2017), Race 2 (2013)
Songs:- Beat Pe Booty, Sau Tarah Ke, Bad Boy, Mere Angne Me, Ek Do teen, Chalti Hai Kya 9 se 12, Disco Disco, Party On My Mind.
Sunny Leone
Ragini MMS (2014), Shootout at Wadala (2013), Bhoomi (2021), Raees (2017), Ek Paheli Leela (2015), Hate Story 2 (2014), Kuch Kuch Locha Hai (2015), One Night Stand (2016)
Songs:- Baby Doll, Laila, Trippy Trippy, Laila Mai Laila, Desi Look, Pink Lips, Pani wala dance, Ishq Da Sutta,
Pooja Hegde
Rangasthalam (2018),
Song:- Jigelu Rani
Nora Fatehi
Rocky Handsome (2016), Batla House (2019), Marjaavan (2019), Satyamev Jayate (2018), Stree (2018), Stress Dancer 3D (2020), Bahubali (2013)
Songs:- Rock the party, O Saki Saki, Ek Toh Kum Zindagani, Dilbar, Kamariya, Garmi, Manohari
Mouni Roy
K.G.F: Chapter 1 (2018), Made In China (2019), Gold (2018), Tum Bin 2 (2016), Romeo Akbar Walter (2019), Velle (2021)
Songs:- Gali Gali, Odhani, Naino Ne Baandhi, Ki Kariye Nachna, Vande Mataram, Khayali Ishq
Item Girls in 2020s
The year of 2020 was the year of pandemic and depression. Around this time the whole world was suffering from the global pandemic COVID-19. Everything was on lockdown, all the sectors except medical and grocery shops were closed. Entertainment sector got a big setback from the COVID-19. After the lockdown was lifted, the entertainment sector also began its work on entertaining people. A new star rise happened in 2020s which was:-
Samantha Ruth
Pushpa: The Rise
Song:- Oo Antava Oo Oo Antava
