Ali Zafar wants to immortalise Katrina

Satirical comedy ‘Tere Bin Ladin’ sensation Ali Zafar is an all rounder artist. A singer by profession, he made his debut as an actor with Abhishek Sharma’s comic flick on Osama Bin Ladin. But Ali has another dimension to his creative brain. He is also a talented painter. And the cute looking multi -talented artist desires to immortalize Katrina Kaif on canvas, Zee News reported.

Ali, who is working with the hottie in Yash Raj’s ‘Mere Brother Ki Dulhan’ is smitten by Kat’s beauty. Apparently, while shooting for the film, someone from the crew suggested him to do a portrait of Katrina and Ali spontaneously agreed. Narrating the episode to reporters of a leading daily, a source close to the actor said, “Ali Zafar is an artist to the core. Be it acting, singing or painting. So, recently someone suggested Ali to paint Katrina, the actor spotted a smile in agreement and might actually go ahead to do it. But, no one knows how soon will that be.”

The actor has created a niche for himself in the Indian film industry post the success of ‘Tere Bin Laden’. And buzz has it that he might end up a substantial role in ‘Dhoom 3’. And now that he has lady luck in the form of Katrina by his side, he can sure make it big. Are we right Katrina? daily times monitor

Source : Daily Times, Pakistan

Ranbir, Katrina on a date!

Katrina has been cribbing how the press goes on and on about her relationship with Ranbir without any photographic evidence. So we did the needful

On Monday, we read in a section of the media that she is genuinely tired of news reports of her proximity to Ranbir Kapoor and she says the reports are even more disturbing because no one really has any photographic evidence of them together.

As soon as we read this, we sent our sleuths scouting for the evidence, which Katrina so categorically wished to be presented.
Well, here it is, Katrina! A few days ago you were with Ranbir at a 5-star hotel in Santacruz East.
You were seated to his right.

Both of you looked rather happy in each other's company (For reference to context, see Picture 1).
A few days prior to this, you were again with him having coffee and cold drinks.
Both of you again looked very happy in each other's company. (For reference to context, see Picture 2).
To add to our practicals we had told you that you spent quality time with Ranbir at a Juhu nightspot.
We had an eyewitness report, which we are sure you read. Over to you now, Katz.
Have we mirrored your relationship well enough? And please don't bring out that old toy called 'We're just good friends'.

Ranbir and Katrina caught 'red' handed

Ranbir Kapoor was spotted in Katrina Kaif's company in his sports car by an onlooker

Ranbir Kapoor was spotted driving around in his red-coloured two seater Audi R8 with Katrina Kaif.

Ranbir recently wrapped up the shoot for Imtiaz Ali's Rockstar in Gurgaon. On his return to Mumbai, he's managed to spend some time with Katrina.

A source reveals, "Ranbir is really fond of that car and loves to drive in it. This time, however, he got caught driving around Juhu with Kat by his side.

Since the windows didn't have sun film, Katrina's side profile was captured by an onlooker who passed the car."

Ranbir has also been linked with his Rockstar actress Nargis Fakhri. However, the source confirms that he's mended ways with Kat and the two are very much together.

Kaif 'gains weight for next film role'

Katrina Kaif has reportedly been asked to put on weight for Mere Brother Ki Dulhan.

According to Mid Day, the actress had lost a significant amount of weight for the song sequences in Tees Maar Khan.

A source for the tabloid revealed: "To lose weight for her role in Tees Maar Khan, Kaif literally stopped eating and was on a very strict all-broccoli diet.

"After the film's release, she's slowly resuming her regular diet of carbs and proteins."

The actor is said to have been asked to increase her weight for the new Yash Raj Films production, where she will be seen opposite Imran Khan.

However, the star has denied that she has made dietary changes: "I am not on any special diet.

My weight has been the same since Tees Maar Khan."

Tax officials raid at houses of Katrina, Priyanka

Priyanka Chopra and Katrina Kaif might have ruled Bollywood last year but that is going to disturb their peaceful life this year. This Monday morning started with a shocking event for both these leading ladies of Bollywood. Income Tax department officials have started raid at the residential and office premise of both the actresses this morning.

The reports suggest that the officials are still conducting the raids. They have started it under some information and it has reportedly come from some credible sources. There is a speculation that the I.T department has got some tax evasion reports by these two actresses. However, nothing has been confirmed officially yet.

The two hottest properties of Bollywood have earned quite a big amount last year from their various endorsement deals apart from the movies. The I.T officials have also not denied about the chances of the actresses possessing some unreported wealth. If these cases come true then the financial managers of Priyanka and Katrina might also face I.T wrath.

However, it will be too early to draw conclusion on this issue. So let's wait till any official announcement is made from the I.T department.

We hope, the actresses come clean because they have many promising releases in the coming days and fans would not like to see them under any blemish at this point of time.

Shah Rukh, Katrina in KJo’s next

MUMBAI: Shah Rukh Khan has scores of reasons to rejoice for. The actor, who bagged the prestigious Zee Cine Award in the Best Popular Actor category, will soon be seen romancing the dazzling Katrina Kaif onscreen. With the duo not having a single movie together to their credit, many top movie directors are now gearing up to bring the dishy pair together for a film.

And even though the infamous fight between SRK and Salman at Katrina’s birthday party had made her averse to sharing screen space with SRK, the fact that all leading ladies have romanced SRK is now persuading Kat to follow suit.

And that’s not all. As per reports, even Shah Rukh is keen to work with Katrina. Sources have revealed, "At Hrithik Roshan’s birthday bash, Katrina was seen enjoying SRK’s company.

The two talked for a long time and there was hardly any sign of animosity between the two. Not only that, Shah Rukh even escorted Kat back to her car. She left the party with Karan Johar.”

As for the director that is working hard to bring the two together onscreen, it’s none other than Karan Johar. Well, here’s looking forward to this jinxed pair coming together.

Katrina, Ranbir meet secretly in New Dehli

NEW DEHLI: There are talks about Katrina Kaif being insecure about Ranbir's 'Rockstar' co-star Nargis Fakhri. Apparently, Kat got so perturbed that she used to call and SMS Ranbir several times a day, so much so that the Kapoor lad stopped answering her calls or replying to her texts.

But things seem to have been sorted out now. Katrina and Ranbir haven't had the time to meet up too often in the recent past, what with Ranbir being busy shooting for Imtiaz Ali's 'Rockstar' in Delhi, and Katrina going place to place to promote 'Tees Maar Khan'. However, Katrina managed to make some time when she was in the capital promoting her recently released film. We hear she visited Ranbir at sister Riddhima's house, and the two are known to have sorted out their 'issues' then.

All seems to be well between Kat and Ranbir now, and talks have it that they are indeed dating. Her secret visit to Ranbir's sister's house has helped the romantic link-up rumours between the two re-surface. After all, there's no smoke without fire, na?

Nargis Fakhri is causing trouble between Katrina, Ranbir

Ranbir Kapoor is moving to newer pastures. The actor is currently fascinated by his Rockstar co-star Nargis Fakhri.

While his blow hot -blow cold status with Katrina Kaif continues, Ranbir seems to be cementing his relationship with Nargis.

Sources reveal that Kapoor has already told close friends that he 'likes' Nargis and wants to give their developing relationship a chance.

While Nargis is getting to know him better, Kat is slowly and steadily distancing herself from RK. In the last two months, Ranbir -Katrina have had many arguments and fights due to his growing proximity with the newcomer.

A source reveals, "Kat feels that Ranbir isn't coming clean about his relation with Nargis. While he maintains they are working co-stars, she can sense there's more.

The growing tension between the two got public when the Kapoor lad was heard screaming into the phone on the Rockstar set with Kat at the other end of the line.

.The fight started when Katrina was informed that the Kapoor lad had gone to drop Nargis at her friend's place, while he had told her that he was busy at an ad shoot.

"Ranbir doesn't want to commit to his co-star yet, but he's admitted to some close friends that there is a possibility of him getting serious.

Apart from spending time with her, he's also been recommending her to producers."

Kaif feels that RK shuts himself off after a fight and doesn't communicate. While she believes in resolving a conflict, he chooses to ignore it and move on.

Buzz is that the actor plans to take the new gal in his life to his sister Riddhima's house during the New Year's where the entire family will be celebrating. Is this his answer to Kat heading to Dubai to ring in the New Year?

Spirituality bug bites Katrina

Katrina gets set to play a woman robed in ochre and in search of spirituality in the Prakash Jha film

After opting out of Prakash Jha's Aarakshan, Katrina Kaif plays the central character in Satsang, the director's upcoming film exposing the multi-billion global religion factory in India.

After a critically acclaimed performance in Raajneeti, Kat seems dead serious about getting into serious non-glamorous roles.

However, her role in Satsang is so complex that even Jha was not sure, initially, if the actress could deliver.

"It would be the most challenging part of my career so far, " says Katrina, who played a pivotal character in the director's Raajneeti.

In Satsang, she doesn't just play the central character, but also a semi-autobiographical character. The character of a woman from the West in search of Oriental spiritualism is modelled on a real-life character.

This will be a startling departure from her glamorous image.The decision to do Satsang came after much brainstorming between the actress and director.

Even before Raajneeti, Jha was sure that Kat was perfect for the part in Satsang in terms of physical appearance.

He realised she could deliver the strength required by the central character in Satsang while shooting for the political thriller.

In Satsang, Kat will don ochre robes and will appear without makeup. She would also have to get informed on the intricacies of the multi-billion religious industry in India."

KK's up to the task. She says, confidently, "Prakashji and I have discussed the part in detail. This is one film that I've do the most preparation for. I'm open to the challenge."

Kaif 'won't perform on New Year's Eve'

Katrina Kaif is reported to have turned down a signficant amount of money to perform at a New Year's Eve stage show.

The Tees Maar Khan actress has said that her personal life is more important than working that night, Mid Day reports.

The former model denied rumours that she would be performing at a suburban Mumbai hotel: "Are you crazy? I am not dancing at any hotel on New Year's Eve. To be entertaining a live audience that night instead of enjoying oneself as another year slips in.

"How sad is that? It's almost like you are telling the audience, 'Hey guys, I don't have a life'."

Kaif has won acclaim for her song 'Sheela Ki Jawaani' from current film Tees Maar Khan.

The Farah Khan-directed project has taken a substantial box office opening, in spite of its mixed critical reception.

Kaif wants 'Charlie's Angels' type role

Katrina Kaif has revealed that she has three dream genres for acting roles in mind, one of which is a big Hollywood action film.

The actress said the first on her list is a period film, which she would want to follow with a romantic tragedy like Devdas.

Kaif added that big Hollywood action roles, the type usually played by Angelina Jolie or Cameron Diaz, sit third on her list.

"I want to do an action film like Salt or Charlie's Angels," she said.

The actress, who has starred opposite many of Bollywood’s leading men, said there is one she particularly wants to work with.

"I want to team up with Aamir [Khan]. In the last few films, the way he has romanced on screen I loved, especially in Ghajini," she added.

Katrina's 'Sheila Ki Jawani' brings crowds to TMK

Katrina Kaif's sensuous 'Sheila Ki Jawani' number brought in the audiences in droves to watch Farah Khan's "Tees Maar Khan", with the movie garnering 90-95 percent occupancy on the day of its release Friday.

With their curiosity whetted by Katrina's slithery moves in television promos of the film, the Akshay Kumar-Katrina Kaif starrer was a hit on its first day.

However, industry insiders predict the huge turnout is mostly due to Katrina's dance number.

"We are having good advance bookings for 'Tees Maar Khan' and the initial response is good, with almost 90 percent occupancy, but the content is not at all as per expectations," Yogesh Raizada, corporate head (cinemas) of Wave Cinemas, told IANS.

"Audiences are mostly queuing up to watch Katrina Kaif in 'Sheila Ki Jawani', and that's about it," he added.

Amit Awasthi, senior manager (programming and operations) of Spice Cinemas, said: "The movie has opened to a fantastic initial with over 95 percent occupancy and the audiences are coming in mostly due to the hot item number," said Awasthi.

A source from PVR cinemas also said: "The initial for the movie is good at about 80-90 percent but the content is not getting appreciation. The audiences are only here for the item song and not for the movie per se."

Co-produced by Three's Company, Hari Om Entertainment and UTV Motion Pictures, the previews for the movie held on Dec 21, Dec 22 and Dec 23 in select cities in Britain have, however, grossed over Rs.7.5 million.

In the US, the previews grossed Rs.4 million on Wednesday alone, according to a statement by UTV. While in the Middle East, it has made around Rs.9.5 million on its opening day.

Another movie that was released is Ajay Devgn-Kajol starrer live action animation "Toonpur Ka Superhero" that is still waiting to pick up with only 20-30 percent occupancy on an average.

Akshay upbeat on Indo-Pak cricket team

Bollywood star Akshay Kumar, who was here Friday to promote his film "Tees Maar Khan", said the joint team of India and Pakistan would prove the best team in the world, Geo News reported Monday.

Talking to Geo News correspondent Badar Muneer Chaudhry, the star said his movies earn the most in Pakistan and love which he receives from Pakistan is unmatched anywhere else.

Kumar said he loved Lahore cuisines saying, ‘I happened to eat some Lahori specialties which I relished a great deal.’

Bollywood star Akshay Kumarsaid he expected the film to repeat the success of his previous hits and called Canada a heaven on earth.

"What you are going to see in 'Tees Maar Khan' is total entertainment. It is a Bollywood masala movie which will appeal to everyone,'' said the actor. The film is due for release next week.

In the film, directed by Farah Khan and jointly produced by his wife Twinkle Khanna, Akshay plays a con man named Tabrez Mirza Khan, with Katrina in the role of his girlfriend Anya.

"I play the role of an uneducated con man who plans to rob a train containing 10,000 kg of antiques. The script is so good that all characters come along with me and I am conning all of them. I rob the train with their help but no one among them knows that they are helping me,'' said Akshay Kumar, rating Katrina as his favourite actress.

The actor credited Farah Khan with doing an excellent job of directing the film. "She did a great job. Because of its excellent script, the film has created new 'muhawara' (idiom) in dialogue,'' he said, reciting a few lines used in the film.

About his own role, he said, "I have been an entertainer for the past 22 years. I have done it in this film and will keep doing it in the future.''

Asked why he chooses Canada more than other countries for shooting and releasing his films, he said he has fallen in love with this country. "I love Canada since I did my first film here 17-18 yeas ago. I have been here hundreds of times, but every time I love coming here again. I tell people in India that if they want to see 'jannat' (heaven) on this planet, they should visit Canada,'' said the actor who is currently serving as a brand ambassador in India for the Canadian Tourism Commission.

The star, who finished shooting his first Hollywood film 'Break Away' here some time ago, said, "The film will be released in May-June. We have sold its distribution rights to Alliance Atlantis."

Shot in Toronto, the film revolves around Canada's national game ice hockey to address issues of cultural conflicts among new immigrants to this country.

Asked whether Bollywood standards were declining, he said, " No, Bollywood's standards are going up. While they used to release up to 500 prints, now these numbers are up to 2,500.''

He also expressed ignorance about his role in Deepa Mehta's proposed film "Komagata Maru". "I don't know anything about the film. Nobody has approached me.''

Asked to rate his favourite hero and heroine, he said, "I like watching Sanjeev Kumar...... and Katrina Kaif."

Katrina visits Ajmer shrine

AJMER: Bollywood frontline actress, also winner of most beautiful ‘Eastern Eyes’ award in the year 2010, Katrina Kaif Saturday made her ways at Shrine of Sufi Saint Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti (R.A) respectfully known as ‘Khwaja Ghareeb Nawaz’ (Generous for poor people) here in Ajmer Shareef.

Katrina, dressed in white traditional Shalwar Kameez dress, and accompanied by her family members, sought blessings and prayed for success of her upcoming movie ‘Tees Mar Khan’.

On the occasion, she had not forgot to observe complete face-veil as she appeared from her car outside shrine and was fully dressed in white traditional Shalwar Kameez.

She sprinkled flower petals at the shrine of Hazrat Khwaza, spread floral wreath and sought success for her upcoming film ‘Tees Mar Khan’.

Kaif, Farah Khan to enter 'Bigg Boss' house

Katrina Kaif will reportedly enter the Indian version of Big Brother tonight, alongside director Farah Khan.

Both will be entering the Bigg Boss house as part of their promotion of Tees Maar Khan.

Relations between Kaif and the host, her ex Salman Khan, are cordial, a source told the Indian Express paper.

"Sallu (Salman) and Kat have decided to let bygones be bygones and come together to entertain audiences and housemates alike in Bigg Boss 4," they said.

Housemates, who are due to perform a dancing task this evening, are unaware that the guests will be coming into the house to judge them.

Earlier in the season Pamela Anderson also entered the house as a guest housemate for five days.

Katrina Kaif Tops World's Sexiest Woman (Eastern Eye 2010)

Sitting pretty atop another poll for 3 consecutive years Katrina Kaif was recently announced Eastern Eye's Sexiest Woman beating off contemporaries from around the world third time in a row.

Apart from being amongst the most photographed actresses in the world Katrina Kaif is also considered highly bankable not to mention uber sexy and confident. After proving her acting prowess in Rajneeti Katrina Kaif went on to scorch screens with her latest song Sheila Ki Jawani from her forthcoming release Tees Maar Khan one of the year's highly anticipated movies.

Eastern Eye showbiz editor Asjad Nazir, who was chairman of the selection panel, thinks that Katrina's win is all the more remarkable because of the incredibly high standard. "Although Bollywood heroines dominated the top 10, the list for 2010 included stunning beauty pageant winners, top actresses from around the world, pop stars and TV personalities. That is why Katrina should be deservedly proud of her amazing win."

Delighted with the hat -trick says Katrina Kaif "I'm very happy that I have made it to the top of Eastern Eye's list again. England is off course a very special place to me and I think it's very sweet to be voted the sexiest by them. I just want to thank everyone for the support,"

The poll was conducted by the most popular, influential and established South Asian publication in the UK.

Katrina has no marriage plans

Bollywood actress Katrina Kaif says she drew inspiration from pop star Shakira for the sizzling item song "Shiela Ki Jawani" from her upcoming film "Tees Maar Khan".

When asked by reporters here about comparisons of her dance in the superhit number with that of Shakira, she said she can only dream of such comparisons.

"I can only dream of such comparisons. To be very frank, I drew inspiration from her. If my dance in the song 'Shiela ki Jawani' reminds the viewers of Shakira, it's a huge reward for me, " said Katrina Kaif, who was in Kolkata with her "Tees Maar Khan" co-star Akshay Kumar Saturday for the promotion of the film.

She was all praises for director Farah Khan and gave her the credit for the grand success of the song.

"We have worked hard for the song. But the credit goes to Farah and her conceptualisation of the song. She is a brilliant choreographer, " the actress said.

"Tees Maar Khan", directed by Farah, is slated to release Dec 24. It has already hit the headlines for its scorching item song "Shiela Ki Jawani" featuring Katrina.

Asked about her role, Katrina said she is not so bold in the film as it seems from "Shiela Ki Jawani".

"My role is of an aspiring actress. She is not so very aggressive as it looked in the song. She is very naive and sweet. She is the girlfriend to Akshay in the film. She lands herself into trouble because of her own stupidity. It's a fun kind of a character, " the actress said.

Katrina Kaif also says she has no plans to tie the knot right now, but feels that marriage is a cute thing.

"I don't have any plans. But I think marriage is one of the cute things. You have to leave it in god's hand, " said Katrina.

When the question about Katrina's marriage was popped to Akshay, he shot back: "Why do you want her to get married? She is a very talented actress. She is making her career. Let her make it."

The movie revolves around Tarbez Mirza Khan, a criminal played by Akshay, and his girlfriend Anya played by Katrina who gets the job of robbing antiques worth Rs.500 crore from a heavily guarded moving train. The film is an action comedy.

No Munni vs Sheila on New Year

Katrina Kaif had at least three offers to perform this New Year and we hear one was as high as Rs.Three crores but she has turned all of them down .

TOI has learned that the sassy star, who has had a hectic 2010 filming and promoting Tees Maar Khan and Raajneeti, wants to take time off, post her forthcoming release with Akshay Kumar. Katrina has extensive vacation plans and is looking to cut off from Tinseltown and spend time only with her family members and close friends with whom she has not bonded in a long time.

We hear that two hotels in India and one abroad was looking to get Kat. However, Kat is in the mood to travel. We hear that Kat might be travelling to London to bring in the New Year. She also has plans to travel with her mother Sussana Mary Turcotte to her philanthropic organisation at Madhurai. Joining them will be Kat's sister, Isabel. So, for those who were ready to see if Munni (Malaika Arora is set to perform this year on her Dabangg track) or Sheila (Kat) manages to sway more crowd and becomes the sexiest dancer on new year night, are set to get disappointed.

It is nice to see B-town ladies are choosing family over money as recently, Priyanka Chopra, too, ducked out of a plum offer from a suburban hotel near the domestic airport. They were ready to pay her Rs.Three crore for a 10 minute performance as a star attraction.


Most Popular Posts:
Zeenat Aman, Mandakini on 'Bigg Boss 4'?
Topless kiss with Daniel was awkward
Clooney isn't experienced in lovemaking scenes
Konnie Huq, Charlie Brooker marry in Vegas
Arianny Celeste Playboy Pictures

Bosworth: 'I don't mind acting in Bollywood'

Kate Bosworth has revealed that she would like to work in Bollywood.

The actress said that if she is given a good script she would be happy to work in Hindi cinema, reports the Times Of India.

The 27-year-old commented: "If they have a good strong script for me then why not? I don't mind acting in an Indian movie. Just let me know how difficult is it to learn the language?"

The star, best known for her roles in The Horse Whisperer and Superman Returns, added: "I hear that it is doing really well. Slumdog Millionaire's success proves that it is time for India to flourish.

"Actors of Bollywood are working in Hollywood films and vice versa."

Bosworth's current project The Warrior's Way, is releasing in India with 350 prints in English, Hindi, Tamil and Telugu.

Katrina film faces censor's wrath

Katrina Kaif's forthcoming film Tees Maar Khan could face further cuts from censors.

Director Farrah Khan has successfully rescued the film from an extensive series of cuts demanded by the Indian film censorship committee, which has promised to look at the project again.

Speaking to the Mumbai Mirror, Pankaja Thakur said: “We are not giving any statements on Tees Maar Khan till the whole process ends.

"For us the process is not over yet," he added.

Sources told the newspaper that the board had asked for bad language to be taken out, as well as scenes featuring Kaif's navel.

The actress will be seen playing an item girl, which is the Bollywood term for a provocative dancer who appears in a one-off sequence in a film.



Most Popular Posts:
Zeenat Aman, Mandakini on 'Bigg Boss 4'?
Topless kiss with Daniel was awkward
Clooney isn't experienced in lovemaking scenes
Konnie Huq, Charlie Brooker marry in Vegas
Arianny Celeste Playboy Pictures

Katrina's Jawani leaves Men drooling

After the Munni madness comes Sheila Ki Jawani josh. Dissecting the item number concept that is setting movie screens on fire all across the country

You have to hand it to Katrina Kaif. She got rid of all her British contours and proved she's a pucca desi girl in Sheila Ki Jawani.

The latkas-jhatkas amidst the pots and the matkas in the inspiring company of Akshay Kumar did not come easily to Katrina. She got herself a belly dancer to make her belly button acquire a life of its own.

She lost weight and she gained that glorious and gorgeous gait to make the men drool and women smirk in the darkness of the auditorium.

This, just months after Katrina's would-have-been sister-in-law Malaika Arora sizzled on screen with Munni Badnaam Hui.

Sigh. Zara Hottie kay zara bach kay yeh hai Item-bomb meri jaan!

Sallu connection
Is it just a coincidence that the three most cherished 'item' song queens in recent times have some kind of connect with Salman Khan? There was Aishwarya Rai Bachchan jiving to Kajra Re in Bunty Aur Babli three years ago with her future husband Abhishek Bachchan and father-in-law Amitabh Bachchan. Now there is Malaika's Munni and Katrina's Sheila act.

Kajra effect
No one expected Kajra re would be such a rage. It spawned a virtual explosion of item songs ranging from Mallika Sherawat's clumsily performed Maiya Maiya in Guru to Malaika Arora's raunchy but ravishing Honth Raseele Tere Honth Raseele in Welcome where Anil Kapoor pranced all around Malaika.

There are item songs and there are I- thumka-songs. If you throw in a raunchy desi-folk beat into the item song like Shilpa Shetty's Main Aayee Hoon UP Bihar Lootne in Shool, Aishwarya's Kajra re and Malaika's Munni, you have a sure`shout' winner on your hands.

Item, huh?
This is where the battle between Munni and Sheila really hots up. Though Katrina dances like a dream in Sheila Ki Jawani most experts feel the song is too urbane, chic and slick to make an impact in the interiors of the country.

But Katrina has a peculiar protest against Sheila Ki Jawani being termed an item song. Says the sizzler, "How can Sheila be an item song? I play an item girl in Tees Maar Khan.

But I am there throughout the film as the leading lady and I have a number of songs and dances. Isn't an item song one appearance by an actor and actress, like Shah Rukh Khan's opening-credits number in Karan Johar's Kaal or Lara Dutta's Aisa Jadoo Dala Re in Khakee?"

One 'n' gone
Katrina makes a valid point. How do we define the item song? It continues to be the domain of any top actress (and sometimes actor too) sweeping into sight for one song and then vanishing leaving a lingering impact.

By this definition Madhubala's immortal Pyar Kiya To Darna Kya in Mughal-e-Azam does not qualify as an item song. Hema Malini's Mujra in Pradeep Sarkar's Laga Chunri Mein Daag and Joothe Nain Bole in Gulzar's Lekin are item songs because Hema came, danced and vanished from the plot.

Sequins, feathers
So, which is the first item song of Hindi commercial cinema? Long before Munni Badnam Hui darling box office ke liye, there was Mumtaz in a 1970 potboiler called Humjoli. She performed the first item song by a leading lady in Bollywood. The film starred Jeetendra and Leena Chandavarkar.

But there was a situation in the plot where Jeetendra needed to make his girl jealous by dancing with another girl, the hotter the better. The makers were thinking on the lines of the obvious. Helen, the ultimate item girl. But the ever-enterprising Jeetu had a brainwave.

Why not his pal Mumu? That's how commercial Hindi cinema's first title song; Tik Tiki Tiki Mera Dil Dole in Humjoli was born. The ever-bindaas Mumtaz got into the feathers, sequins and a body stocking that was meant for Helen. And boy, did she sizzle!

A rage
Today, the item song is just not the same. Is it a victim of overkill? Koena Mitra who has performed a couple of them seems to think so. Now in Los Angeles for the past few months, Koena says, "The item number is just not interesting any more.

Any and every one is doing it. What's the big deal? It has lost its exclusivity. I am done with item songs. Let the others do it." Raveena Tandon performed an item song Shaher Ki Ladki way back in 1996 in the film Rakshak. It was a rage.

Raveena says, "I had just gone through a period of personal stress and needed to get out of it. Suneil Shetty who was the hero of Rakshak recommended me for the song. I was like waaaat? But he convinced me. And I did Shaher Ki Ladki. My God! What a rage it was!"

No questions
The ultimate item girl or the IT girl as she was known, was Helen whose cabaret numbers warmed up the box office potential of scores of films in the 1960s and 70s right until her drizzle of sizzle in Yeh Mera Dil Pyar Ka Deewana in 1978 in the film Don.

Helen once reminisced that she never thought of her numbers as item numbers. "I just did what I was asked to. I never questioned the choreographer. But I made sure I never crossed the line of decency."

Zeroed in
All Helen's cabaret numbers were performed under strict self-censorship codes. Every inch of unclothed skin was covered in body stocking. The dance movements never crossed the limits of decency.

And pelvic thrusts which are almost mandatory to the average item song today, were a complete no-no for Helen. Ironically Helen's repertoire of cabaret dances were never given the status of dignity and grace in their heyday that they are given today.

While in the past, Helen's dances were often accused of being off colour, today, they are looked on as the epitome of grace and decorum. Recently when Ekta Kapoor needed a new-age Helen for her 1970s retro-gangster film Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai she auditioned dozens of wannabe Helens and finally zeroed in on Gauhar Khan who did scant justice to Monica, Oh my darling.

Toast them
Guess we need more power for the item girl to rise and shine to a place where Helen's magic took those immortal cabaret numbers like Aa Jaan-e-Jaan (Inteqam), Piya Tu Ab To Aaja (Caravan) and Mehbooba oh Mehbooba (Sholay).

It is plain to see that love them or hate them; most filmmakers can't do without them. Yeh jaam item numbers ke naam.