Actresses vying for item numbers

Bollywood actresses are now demanding exclusive dance numbers in their films, which they can cash in on through the year

Actresses vying for item numbers

Bollywood actresses are now demanding exclusive dance numbers in their films, which they can cash in on through the year

Roping in a particular actress for a film has never been easier. All that the filmmakers need to do is promise them a song or two to groove to. Not only does a scintillating item number attract attention towards the film, it also helps the actresses laugh their way to the banks.

Kareena Kapoor made sure she got her Chammak challo and more recently Chitrangada Singh bagged her first item number. These tailor-made songs prove to be the most lucrative source of income for them to perform to at stage shows, through the year.

Says Katrina Kaif who was inundated with offers for stage performances, post her super-hit, Sheila, "When you know a song is being directed by someone like Farah Khan, you don't have to think much.

Plus, of course, it becomes a hook, which stays through the year." Buzz was that Katrina got at least more than two dozen different offers to perform everywhere from weddings to corporate events, award functions and the big new-year bash.

Interestingly, the same seems to be the case with Kareena, this year. Shah Rukh Khan was recently quoted saying, "Kareena insisted that she wanted two songs which she could perform on through the year, and I gave it to her."
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Post Bodyguard and RA.One, the actress's moves are more in demand than they have ever been. Confirms event organiser Lalit Jain, "Many people want Kareena to perform to Chammak Challo, but she doesn't do too many stage shows.
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She performs at award functions. Her basic estimate for one performance has definitely gone up."

Part of the contract?
Though these songs are not yet part of the official contract, (unless the star is doing only an item number in the film), producers say that they don't mind including it as a clause. Says Rohan Sippy, "It's a two-way street. An item-song helps sell a film like nothing else these days.

So if the concerned actress is making some bucks off it, why should it be a problem for the producer?" Adds a producer on condition of anonymity, "All of them perform at private parties and weddings which probably rake in more money than they would make though their films."

The item number formula
One could assume that even if a particular movie turns out to be a dud, the song is what the actresses bank on.

Chitrangada Singh who seems to have turned from a 'thinking actress' into an item-girl overnight, says, "I have always been fond of dancing, but never really got a chance to do an item-number.

When Farah called, there wasn't a chance I would say no. If I get offers to do stage shows post this song, why not?"u00a0

Moolah matters
(Approximate figures in Rs /per show)
Katrina Kaif: 65 lakhs (for one entry only)
Kareena Kapoor: 67-70 lakhs (for award functions)
Malaika Arora Khan: 18- 20 lakhs (for corporate events) and 25 lakhs (for weddings)
Bipasha Basu: 10-15 lakhs (for stage shows) and over 20 lakhs (for special parties like The New year)
Deepika Padukone: 7-8 lakhs (for stage shows)
Other actress get anywhere between 2-5 lakhs per performance