In an industry that’s growing increasingly aware of how its female actors are represented on the big screen, questions relating to the need for tracks—traditionally labelled item songs—continue to be raised. And while Madhubanti Bagchi says she’s “not a fan of the tendency to unnecessarily create an item song”, Tamannaah Bhatia-starrer Aaj ki raat was different.

“They informed me that this was not a promotional track, but rather a crucial piece that propels the story forward. The song was neither an afterthought nor one that was made to add elements that catered to the male gaze,” says Bagchi of the song that features in the upcoming instalment of Rajkummar Rao and Shraddha Kapoor’s Stree.