From Chin Chin Chu to Baby Doll

If an item song was a term in the fashion world, it would have been a transition from haute couture to prêt-à-porter. Once considered as the exclusive domain of a select few, item numbers have now turned into a customary routine for every Bollywood face – from superstars to fresh starlets.

With all the glamor and glitterati, item numbers form the most-essential part of any Hindi movie. From cabarets to discos to almost anywhere, even train tops – item songs have made gradual progess over the years.

An item number was orginally an exclusive domain of vamps and dancers making a special appearance. Yesteryear’s ‘undisputed tsarina of cabaret’, Helen was an instant crowd-puller. Her affable Mera Naam Chin Chin Chu in Howrah Bridge (1958) paved a golden path for her as the ultimate item girl.

Gradually, over the years, the scenario changed.

Even though there are present day item number specialists like Malaika Arora Khan, Rakhi Sawant, Yana Gupta and others. This slot has no longer remained exclusive. Every leading lady has endorsed a few item songs, adding an extra feather to one’s cap. From being a cute girl-next-door or a beautiful girl, they have gone on to become the sexy babes. Almost every leading actress has given a special performance during her career in the Bollywood film industry.

Here are the Top 5 Bollywood Actresses-turned-Item Girls

Kareena Kapoor Khan

Kareena Kapoor Khan, a fine actress and beautiful diva, has always made the Kapoor family proud with an array of top-notch roles she has portrayed in Bollywood. Adding more points to her achievement was her sizzling item number ‘Yeh Mera Dil‘ from the movie Don. She stepped into the legendary Helen’s shoes with her groovy moves and sexy appearance. Bebo, however, didn’t stop there. She continued wooing her audience dancing opposite Shahrukh Khan on the tunes of Akon’s ‘Chammak Challo‘ from RA One. Heroine‘s ‘Halkat Jawani‘ with flippant lyrics and naughty moves were just another apt item number performed by Kareena. The latest ‘Fevicol Se‘ from Dabangg 2 opposite Salman Khan is like icing on the cake for Kareena as a hot item number girl.

Katrina Kaif

A known fact was that the prim and proper Barbie doll of Bollywood was merely a showpeice when she entered the film industry. With her acting and dancing skills not at par with the industry standards, her transformation into one of the best dancers is worth an applause. From ‘Sheila Ki Jawani‘ to ‘Chikini Chameli‘ to ‘Kamli‘, she has left the audience stunned. Boy! Her slithering like a snake under the bedsheet to the sassy flexible moves made people visit the theatres just to watch her moves in the respective item numbers.

Priyanka Chopra

Miss World 2000 and National Award winner, Priyanka Chopra is known to nail every role played by her. Be it the sinister Susanna Anna-Marie Johannes in 7 Khoon Maaf 0r the cute Jhilmil Chatterjee in Barfi!. She became ‘Babli Badmaash‘ and ‘Pinki‘ for Shootout At Wadala and Zanjeer, respectively. But leaving it aside, she set every man’s heart racing, with her item number in Goliyon Ki Rasleela Ram-leela. She looked ravishingly hot in every shot of the song. From the wet look for her tresses to the white wraparound skirt teamed with a choli, every time this song is broadcast, it escalates an adrenaline rush through every man’s body. Good going girl!

Shilpa Shetty

The sexy babe in B-town is back with sexier abs for her upcoming item number in the movie Dishkiyaoon opposite Harman Baweja. A fine actress who has offered some exceptional movies to the Bollywood industry, made her debut in the item number scene with the movie Shool. The sensuous lady later offered a cool item number in the movie Dostana. Guess this time she is coming not to loot only UP and Bihar but the entire nation.

Bipasha Basu

A successful model-turned-actress, Bipasha Basu is yet another sensous leading lady the industry has produced. Apart from having an outstanding career in the Hindi film industry, Bipasha has also worked in the Telugu, Bengali and Tamil language films. With her Beedi Jalaile to Phoonk De from the movies Omkara and No Smoking respectively, she grabbed many eyeballs. Known for her intense-yet-sensual looks, the item numbers are like the finishing touches to her roles, characters and appearances in the Bollywood industry.

The number of item songs and item number girls is definitely on a rise. The glossiness of the visuals, the peppy tunes, the infectious energy, the sensous lady, everything has led to a sheer rise in the number of item songs. But somewhere over the time, these raunchy numbers are losing the soul, the feel and the very meaning of their existence in a movie.