Munni paves the way for Gangubai's jawaani

Munni badnaam hui, her fifth chart-topper in a decade-long Bollywood career has cemented her position as India’s No 1 item girl. And Malaika Arora Khan is ecstatic. “Everyone in the family loves the song. I wasn’t being partial to it though. I work just as hard on every song and want each
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one to be a hit,” she says.

Following in her footsteps, actor Mahi Gill will be seen with Knockout leads Sanjay Dutt, Irrfan Khan and Kangna Ranaut in a special item song called Gangubai pe aayi jawani. According to reports, Dutt had insisted on including the song in the film.

“I’ve heard about that. It feels wonderful, but I don’t know if it’s actually my song that inspired Sanju to include an item song in his film just before release. But one hit item song does pave the way for others,” beams Malaika, who insists that her song, Munni badnaam hui wasn’t the main reason for Dabangg becoming a hit.

Malaika“Arbaaz had the song ready and had always wanted me to do it. I didn’t have an option. Farah (choreographer Farah Khan), Salman bhai (Salman Khan) and the crew put in a lot of effort. During the shoot, I had a bad fall and was mildly bruised. But now I feel it was all worth it.”

Will she appear in an item song in the next Dabangg movie? “Since we don’t know yet if there will be a prequel or a sequel, I can’t say. Once the script is locked and the casting is done; if something works out, I’ll be there too,” smiles Malaika.

She recalls that an item number had set off a trend after Amitabh and Abhishek Bachchan grooved with Aishwarya Rai in the song Kajrare (Bunty Aur Babli, 2005). “Everyone wanted to have a similar song in their film, thinking that it might have the same effect that Kajrare had on Bunty Aur Babli. It worked only in a few cases, because every item song doesn’t become a surefire hit, neither does it carry a promise that the film featuring it will be successful,” reasons Malaika.

The actor also reveals that her item song Kaal dhamaal from Kaal (2005) served as inspiration for a similar number in Telugu flick, Athidhi (2005). “I was asked to wear similar costumes and make-up, and sport the same hairdo that I had in Kaal for the Telugu song,” reminisces Malaika, who will dance to Munni badnaam hui on a Diwali special show on Star Plus later this month. “It was funny. I didn’t know then that a cameo song could have such an impact!”