There was no looking back for the actress Malaika Arora after being featured in a special number Chaiyya Chaiyya in the movie, Dil Se. While back then she clearly rejected the offer to be seen in an item number but agreed for it on being insisted by friend and popular choreographer Farah Khan. Since then she featured in many special numbers in some blockbuster movies. The actress in Namrata Zakaria’s podcast, Tell Me How You Did It, defended the usage of the term 'Item Number'
She insisted these numbers are rather colourful and larger-than-life representations of the films. She said, “That’s what our films are all about, let’s not hide that fact, let’s not be shy about the fact. That’s what we celebrate in our films. Our films are a celebration of life, they’re larger than life. Yes, the concept now, in today’s day and age, has really dwindled. Because there’s just so much emphasis on not having to objectify, etc. But when I did it, and when I was a part of all those songs, for me it was liberating. It really was.”
Chaiyya Chaiya has some biggies associated with it, such as Shah Rukh Khan, director Mani Ratnam, composer AR Rahman, and cinematographer Santosh Sivan.
She added, “I felt that I could just be on screen, as this woman and this object of desire. For me, it was very liberating. I never looked at it as, ‘Oh my God, you’re being objectified’. For me, it felt like I was in control. I’m anyway one of those women, I like being in control, I like being the master of my own destiny. I don’t like being told what to, how to, where to. It felt amazing.” ALSO READ:
The actress later went on to feature in special numbers titled, Munni Badmaan Hui, Anarkali Disco Chali and more. ALSO READ: Malaika Arora Shares Message On Finding Love In 40s, Takes A Sly Dig At People Questioning Her Age Gap With Beau Arjun Kapoor?
Image Source: Instagram/malaikaaroraofficial