Flashy costumes and patches of wheatish skin from between ripped and trimmed clothes. Sizzling beats, fast tunes and faster body movements.
Men ogling at graceful hip shakes and an aura of trippiness and intoxication in the air. Item songs are more than this, they are a means to pull the crowd, a horseshoe magnet, a clever marketing scheme.
So in this era when actresses, directors and producers have heavier pockets owing to a successful item number, why is the Malayalam film industry standing with its back turned, denying to join the race? “Our movies sell even without any item number.
Especially now that we have such good scripts, why would we want to force in an item number,” says Samvruta Sunil in response.
Ask her if she would personally like to do an item number , she chuckles, “I don’t think any director would offer me an item song to perform, I am not suited for it and even if someone does offer, I would never take up anything I am not comfortable doing,” she adds.
‘Sheila ki Jawani’, sure did spread like wildfire.
But wonder how many recollect the name of the film it is from? With Vidya Balan’s peppy dance number in ‘Urumi’, item numbers were expected to be the next thing in tinsel town.
Shaji Kailas laughs his heart out as we place the question in front of him.
“Malayalam cinema thanne oru item alle! Jokes apart, our movies are known for good storylines and for natural acting.
Malayalam films aren’t very glamour centric either and our audience doesn’t need an item number to find their way to the theatres,” he says.
Another interesting find is that, Malayalis are generally a little reluctant to move their hips or to tap their feet.
Contradicting this statement would be the scenario if you try going to a theater during a Vijay movie screening, you will find mallu men in all shapes and sizes dancing with their shirts revolving in the air and some, hopping like bunnies.
Along with soulful melodies, Malayalam music is always known for folk tinged songs but never for ‘jhing jhang’ dance numbers.
“No director has ever approached me for an item number.
I have had fast numbers in ‘Four Friends’ and ‘Red Chillies’ but that was needed for the film,” says music director M Jayachandran .
Quiz him further and he says the whole concept of an item number is funny.
“Can you imagine a rap song with Malayalam lyrics? Our language is ethnic and elegant, there is a limit to which we can play with it,” he says.
Known for its subtlety, Malayalam film industry keeps away from exaggeration of any sorts.
Whats the point in squeezing in something that doesn’t fit in the frame? But on second thoughts, Santhosh Pandit fans would surely disagree here.