Malaika reflected on her long journey through what were once called ‘item songs’. She believes the world around these songs has evolved, and so has the way women are portrayed in them.
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Malaika Arora on item songs: When the train raced through the mountains and a young woman danced fearlessly on its roof to ‘Chaiyya Chaiyya’, Indian cinema witnessed a moment that would never fade, and how! That woman, Malaika Arora, turned a few minutes of screen time into pure magic. Decades later, she is still the face of Bollywood’s most iconic dance numbers. But the way she looks at them today has changed.
In a recent interview with THR India, Malaika reflected on her long journey through what were once called ‘item songs’. She believes the world around these songs has evolved, and so has the way women are portrayed in them.
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“Earlier, these songs were mostly about glamour and spectacle, often detached from a woman’s individuality,” she said. “Today, filmmakers are more aware. They bring character and context into these moments. It’s less about provocation, more about performance and presence. I see it as an evolution where women can own their space.”
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It’s definitely an interesting reflection coming from someone whose name is synonymous with high-energy hits like ‘Munni Badnaam Hui’, ‘Anarkali Disco Chali’, ‘Pandey Ji Seeti’ and ‘Hello Hello’. For many, these songs defined the glitz of Bollywood.
But for Malaika Arora, dance has always been a mix of joy and expression.
“Yes, item songs have often been linked to the male gaze,” she admitted. “But I’ve always looked at them differently. For me, dance is about confidence and expression.When I perform, I focus on enjoying the moment and bringing my energy to it. As long as I feel comfortable and in control, that’s what matters most.It’s about celebrating the art and having fun rather than overthinking the labels.”
At 51, Malaika still owns the stage like few others can. Her latest dance track, ‘Poison Baby’, from Ayushmann Khurrana and Rashmika Mandanna’s film ‘Thamma’ proves that her spark hasn’t dimmed.
“After all these years, returning to dance numbers feels like embracing a part of my identity,” she shared. “But now I do it with more confidence and experience. Personally, it’s about celebrating my journey and showing that you can stay relevant and passionate at any stage. Professionally, it’s a chance to evolve and reinvent myself; to prove that age doesn’t define your capacity to perform or inspire.”
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