Item number in Satyagraha

Item numbers are a current trend and most of the commercial films have at least one item song. This is a great crowd puller for the movie. In a way, the movie gets more attention from the audience. Directors also use such numbers to promote a movie or add to the content.

Filmmaker Prakash Jha hasn't missed adding one sizzling item number in his forthcoming drama film Satyagraha. Model-actor Natasa Stankovic is roped in to groove to a thumri-electronic fusion number called 'Aiyo ji hamri atariya mein' for the movie.

The filmmaker believes that such songs contribute to certain attributes of a story. He thinks it can support a film story. "Such numbers contribute to certain moments and sensibilities. They (dance numbers) help the story too," said the filmmaker Jha.

In his earlier movies too Jha has added item numbers. In the film Gangaajal, Manyata Dutt was cast in an item song called 'Alhad mast jawaani'. TV actress Barkha Bisht performed to an item song titled 'Ishq barse hai boondan boondan' in 2010 film Raajneeti.

"Manyata's song helped in establishing the psyche of debased people. In Satyagraha, the item song creates the ambience of affluence and bonhomie of corrupt people," added Jha. He also adds that peppy songs such as these help to draw attention to a film. "They do entertain, and entertainment happens to be the most important part of filmmaking. At the same time, when used cleverly, they can also be meaningful," said Jha.

Natasa, who has previously shot for a few ads in India, is also excited about the number. "In October 2012, I went to Mumbai, where I started to do shows, TV commercials, billboards. My favourite job was my advertisement for Johnson's Baby collection... Now, I hope that the song will be a hit, and my game will come to the fore," she said.

Satyagraha is a film that features Amitabh Bachchan, Kareena Kapoor, Ajay Devgn and Arjun Rampal. It is set to release on August 23.

IANS