Bollywood, a multi-billion-dollar industry, has evolved from classic action and love stories to incorporating item songs as a key element of commercial success. These catchy, provocative dance numbers became popular in the 2010s, with hits like Munni Badnaam from Dabangg and Sheila Ki Jawani from Tees Maar Khan – the latter’s song outshining its movie.
Originally reserved for supporting roles, item songs now feature lead actresses, with advanced choreography and camera techniques enhancing their appeal. These songs are a staple in Bollywood, often more popular than the films themselves. In the past, these songs were often performed by a sidekick in the movie. Now, it’s popular for Bollywood lead actresses to perform these visually stunning dance moves in item songs.
Item songs, characterized by infectious beats and glamorous performances, have become a marketing tool to attract audiences and drive box-office success. Their widespread popularity continues to make them an essential part of Bollywood cinema.
Dilbar by Nora Fatehi | Satyameva Jayate
Chamma Chamma by Eli Avram | Fraud Saiyaan.
Ek Do Teen by Jacqueline Fernandez | Baghi 2
Chikni Chameli by Katrina Kaif | Agneepath
Sheila Ki Jawani by Katrina Kaif | Tees Maar Khan
Husn Parcham by Katrina Kaif | Zero
Haseeno Ka Deewana by Urvashi Rautela | Kaabil
Gali Gali by Mouni Roy | KGF: Chapter 1
Pink Lips by Sunny Leone | Hate Story 2
Hello Hello by Malaika Arora | Pataakha
Most of the time, item songs do not have any relevance to the plot or the events that are unfolding in the film. These songs are purely for entertainment value. These songs, which were once associated with raunchy Bollywood dance songs in the ’80s, have now become a staple in mainstream Bollywood movies. Several item songs have become chartbusters. Post 2000, many foreign actresses working in Bollywood have performed sizzling item songs. Every commercial Hindi film incorporates an item song to add glitz, glamour, and sensuality to the film. These songs have become popular for their absurdly provocative lyrics, mystical beats, and jaw-dropping dance moves.
I Wanna Tera Ishq by Urvashi Rautela | Great Grand Masti
Maee Re by Scarlett Wilson | Dassehra
Laila Mein Laila by Sunny Leone | Raees
Rock the Party by Nora Fatehi | Rocky Handsome
Kamariya by Nora Fatehi | Stree
Fashion Khatam Mujhpe by Malaika Arora | Dolly Ki Doli
Baby Doll by Sunny Leone | Ragini MMS 2
Shake That Booty by Sunny Leone | Balwinder Singh Famous Ho Gaya
Do Peg Maar by Sunny Leone | One Night Stand
Yaar Na Miley by Nargis Fakhri | Kick
The highly entertaining visuals that accompany these songs are a big part of attracting a large audience. Theatrical releases, movie trailers, and promos of new Bollywood films often feature clips of item songs to entice audiences. These scenes are often shot using rapidly shifting camera angles, which adds extra excitement to the dance number. While certain item songs in the South Indian film industry have been criticized for their display of vulgarity, the majority of new Bollywood item songs have been praised for their slick choreography and camera work.
Lipstick Laga Ke by Sonali Raut | Great Grand Masti
Mashallah by Katrina Kaif | Ek Tha Tiger
Chhote Chhote Peg by Nushrat Bharucha | Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety
Trippy Trippy by Sunny Leone | Bhoomi
Suraiyaa by Katrina Kaif | Thugs of Hindostan
Ki Kariye Nachna Aaonda Nahin by Mouni Roy | Tum Bin 2
Ishq Da Sutta by Sunny Leone | One Night Stand
Dance Basanti by Shraddha Kapoor | Ungli
Assalam-e-Ishq by Priyanka Chopra | Gunday
Kamli by Katrina Kaif | Dhoom 3
Ram Chahe Leela by Priyanka Chopra | Ram-Leela
Mehbooba by Natasa Stankovic | Fukrey
Dekhega Raja by Sunny Leone | Mastizaade
Dhoom Machale Dhoom by Katrina Kaif | Dhoom 3
Oh Boy by Mandana Karimi | Ky Kool Hain Hum 3
Maahi Ve by Zareen Khan | Wajah Tum Ho
Hug Me by Sunny Leone | Beiimaan Love
Zara Zara Touch Me by Katrina Kaif | Race
Sexy Baby Girl by Sunny Leone | Tera Intezaar
Curves Mere Killerrr Killerrr by Gauhar Khan | Fuddu
Post 2010, a number of item songs have become popular with youth because of catchy anthem-like choruses interspersed with visuals of slickly crafted high-energy dance moves. Thanks to these songs, Bollywood Item Girls have become hugely popular with the masses in India. The present trend is leading Bollywood actresses and foreign actresses to perform item numbers on remixes of songs from the classic era. The bold and sexy visuals interspersed with spunk and groove make these songs popular dance anthems at every party destination.
The leading ladies in Bollywood are paid staggering amounts of money to do an item song in films. Certain actresses in Bollywood have become popular, doing specifically item numbers in Hindi films. In present times the popularity of hot Bollywood item songs has risen to a new level. Filmmakers are well aware of audience preferences and are allocating huge budgets for shooting highly stylized item numbers. Item girls are trending in Bollywood, and there’s definitely more that will unfold in the near future.
Nachan Farrate by Sonakshi Sinha | All Is Well
Ladies Paan by Amanda Rosario | Fraud Saiyaan
Aashiq Banaya Aapne by Urvashi Rautela | Hate Story 4
Dan Dan Cheeni by Nathalia Kaur | Department
Manzoor-e-Khuda by Katrina Kaif | Thugs of Hindostan
Tunu Tunu by Sherlyn Chopra | Independent Video
Bulbul by Mahi Gill | Hey Bro
Afghan Jalebi by Katrina Kaif | Phantom
Pinky by Priyanka Chopra | Zanjeer
Mungda by Nathalia Kaur | Commando: A One Man Army
Oh Janiya by Sonakshi Sinha | Force 2
Mera Naam Mary by Kareena Kapoor Khan | Brothers
Mummy Kasam by Sanjeeda Shaikh | Nawabzaade
Khullam Khulla by Koena Mitra | Road
Patne Wali Hoon by Claudia Ciesla | Desi Kattey
Khallas by Zareen Khan | Veerappan
Madamiyan by Shruti Hassan | Tevar
Tu Cheez Badi Hai Mast Mast by Kiara Advani | Machine
Paani Waala Dance by Sunny Leone | Kuch Kuch Locha Hai
Calcutta Kiss by Lauren Gottlieb | Detective Byomkesh Bakshy!
Lovely Accident by Sunny Leone | Independent Video
O Saki Saki by Nora Fatehi | Batla House
Fevicol Se by Kareena Kapoor | Dabangg 2
Beedi by Bipasha Basu | Omkara
Luv Letter by Aditi Rao Hydari | The Legend of Michael Mishra
Babli Badmaash Hai by Priyanka Chopra | Shootout At Wadala
Tipsy Ho Gai by Natalia Kapchuk | Dilliwali Zaalim Girlfriend
Jugni Peeke Tight Hai by Elli Avram | Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon
Neendein Khul Jati Hain by Puja Gupta | Hate Story 3
Jaaneman Aah by Parineeti Chopra | Dishoom
Aaj Raat Ka Scene by Deeksha Kaushal | Jazbaa
Daddy Mummy by Urvashi Rautela | Bhaag Johnny
Kundi Mat Khadkao by Chitrangada Khan | Gabbar Is Back
Yeh Mera Dil by Kareena Kapoor | Don: The Chase Begins Again
Munni Badnaam Hui by Malaika Arora Khan | Dabangg
Shakira by Lauren Gottlieb | Welcome to Karachi
Halkat Jawani by Kareena Kapoor | Heroine
Aao Kabhi Haveli Pe by Kriti Sanon | Stree
Resham Ka Rumaal by Urvashi Rautela | Great Grand Masti
Mayya Mayya by Mallika Sherawat | Guru
Desi Look by Sunny Leone | Ek Paheli Leela
Ishq Samundar by Isha Koppikar | Kaante
Main Aai UP Bihar Lootne by Shilpa Shetty | Shool
Jaado Ki Jhappi by Jacqueline Fernandez | Ramiya Vastavaiya
Naughty No.1 by Sara Loren | Barkhaa
Khallas by Isha Koppikar | Company
Awari by Prachi Desai | Ek Villain
Hotty Naughty by Neha Dhupia | De Dana Dan
Oye Oye by Nargis Fakhri | Azhar
Parda Parda by Gauhar Khan | Once Upon a Time in Mumbai
Mit Jaaye Gham by Deepika Padukone | Dum Maaro Dum
Crazy Kiya Re by Aishwarya Rai Bachchan | Dhoom 2
Manali Trance by Lisa Haydon | The Shaukeens
Neeyat Kharab Hai by Maria Gomez | Teen Patti
Hor Nach by Sunny Leone | Mastizaade
Babuji Zara Dheere Chalo by Yana Gupta | Dum
Ishq Ka Garam Masala by Poonam Chopra | Ranbanka
Aisa Jadoo by Lara Dutta | Khakee
Kaddu Katega by Ragini Dwiwedi | R… Rajkumar
Sun Suniyo by Koena Mitra | Musafir
Namak Pare by Humaima Malick | Raja Natwarlal
Maala Seenha by Raai Laxmi | Julie 2
Chammak Challo by Kareena Kapoor | Ra. One
Piya Aa by Sarah Anjuli | Haseena Parkar
Character Dheela by Zarine Khan | Ready
Lovely Jind Wali by Sana Saeed | Fugly
1234 Get on the Dance Floor by Priyamani | Chennai Express
Ghoor Ghoor Ke by Neha Dhupia | Ekkees Toppon Ki Salaami
Thank God It’s Friday by Sonakshi Sinha | Himmatwala
Phoonk De by Bipasha Basu | No Smoking
Choli Blockbuster by Sunny Leone | Dongri Ka Raja
Lukkhe Bade Aate Hain by Meera | Bumper Draw
Shut Up and Bounce by Shilpa Shetty | Dostana
Chamki Jawani by Mahek Chahal | Yamla Pagla Deewana
Jawaani Le Doobi by Gauhar Khan | Kyaa Kool Hain Hum 3
Aa Zara Karib Se by Yana Gupta–Murder 2
Meri Jawani Sode Ki Botal by Sunny Leone | Spark
Dhak Dhak Karne Laga by Madhuri Dixit | Beta
Jhalla Wallah by Gauhar Khan | Ishaqzaade
Aa Ante Amalapuram by Hazel Keech | Maximum
Dekhta Hai Tou Kya by Rakhi Sawant | Krazzy 4
Marjaani by Kareena Kapoor | Billu
Razia Gundo Mein Phas Gayi by Malaika Sherawat | Thank You
Ghungta by Bidita Das | Babumoshai Bandookbaaz
Naach Basanti by Hrishita Bhatt | Miss Tanakpur Haazir Ho
Bewafa Beauty by Urmila Matondkar | Blackmail
Tere Ishq Se Meetha by Sameera Reddy | Aakrosh
Sharara Sharara by Shamita Shetty | Mere Yaar Ki Shaadi Hain
Dekh Le by Mummaith Khan | Munna Bhai M.B.B.S.
Tinky Jiya by Madhuri Bhattacharya | Yamla Pagla Deewana
Dil Jaane by Neha Dhupia | Nehlle Pe Dehlla
Tattoo by Lauren Gottlieb | ABCD 2
Ishq Khudai by Negar Khan | Rudraksh
Love Mera Hit Hit by Deepika Padukone | Billu
Jalebi Bai by Malika Sherawat | Double Dhamaal
Jhuki Jhuki by Mumaith Khan | Chocolate
Ghaghara by Mallika Sherawat | Dirty Politics
Daant Saiyaan Ne by Hazel Keech | Baankey Ki Crazy Baraat
Kambakth Ishq by Urmila Matondkar | Pyar Tune Kya Kiya
Ghagra by Madhuri Dixit | Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani
Jhoom Jhoom Ta Tu by Sonam Kapoor | Players
Bipasha by Bipasha Basu | Jodi Breakers
Pyaar Ki Chutni by Dia Mirza | Phir Hera Pheri
Chori Pe Chori by Shamita Shetty | Saathiya
Anarkali Disco Chali by Malaika Arora Khan | Housefull
Chamia No. 1 by Shriya Saran | Zilla Ghaziabad
Mujhe Tumse Mohabbt Hai by Diya Mirza | Tumsa Nahin Dekha
Dhat Teri Ki by Esha Gupta | Gore Tere Pyar Mein
Ishq Shava by Katrina Kaif | Jab Tak Hai Jaan
Choli Ke Peeche by Madhuri Dixit | Khalnayak
Kismat Se Chalti Hai by Rakhi Sawant | Malamaal Weekley
Balma by Claudia Ciesla | Khiladi 786
Loot Gaye by Mumaith Khan | Hulchul
Aaj Ghar Mein Akele by Karisma Kapoor | Rakshak
Laila O Laila by Yana Gupta | Challo Dilli
Dhating Naach by Nargis Fakri | Phata Poster Nikla Hero
It’s Rocking by Kareena Kapoor | Kya Love Story Hai
Aga Baai by Rani Mukherjee | Aiyya
Girls Like to Swing by Anushka Sharma | Dil Dhadakne Do
Paani Paani by Richa Chadha | Cabaret
Chamma Chamma by Urmila Matdonkar | China Gate
Khali Dil Nahi by Simran Bagga | Kachche Dhaage
Shake it Saiyyan by Lisa Haydon | Rascals
Mashuqa Rubi by Mumaith Khan | Asambhav
Lazy Lamhe by Ameesha Patel | Thoda Pyar Thoda Magic
Ho Gayi Tun by Bipasha Basu | Players
Blouse Ka Button by Maryam Zakaria | Ajab Singh Ki Gazab Kahani
Kajra Re by Aishwarya Rai Bachchan | Bunty Aur Bubli
Mahi Ve by Malaika Arora Khan | Kaante
Jawani Se Ab by Kashmira Shah | Vastaav: The Reality
Humne Pee Rakhi Hai by Divya Khosla Kumar | Sanam Re
Dilli Ki Sardi by Amrita Arora | Zameen
Alif Se by Nora Fatehi | Mr. X
Sexy Sexy by Karisma Kapoor | Khuddar
Oh! What a Babe by Yana Gupta | Rakht
Ankhiyan Na Maar by Rakhi Sawant | Ek Khiladi Ek Haseena
Laila Teri Le Li by Sunny Leone | Shootout at Wadala
I Am Single by Shewta Sharma | Charlie Kay Chakkar Mein
Lovely by Deepika Padukone | Happy New Year
Mehbooba Mehbooba by Urmila Matondkar | Ram Gopal Verma Ki Aag
Hoth Rasiley by Malaika Arora Khan | Welcome
Bebo by Kareena Kapoor | Kambakkht Ishq
You Got Me Rocking & Reeling by Priyanka Chopra | Billu
Laila by Malika Sherawat | Tezz
Bhangra Bistar by Rakhi Sawant | Dil Bole Hadippa
Sarkar by Amanda Rosario | Udanchhoo
Beedo by Mahi Gill | Gulaal
Ya Baba by Hrishitaa Bhatt | My Name Is Anthony Gonsalves
Ghaziabad Ki Rani by Geeta Basra | Zilla Ghaziabad
Happening by Preity Zinta | Main Aur Mrs Khanna
Oh La La by Vidya Balan | The Dirty Picture
Aata Majhi Satakli by Kareena Kapoor | Singham Returns
Mohabbat Hai Mirchi by Rakhi Sawant | Chura Liyaa Hain Tumne
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