Item numbers are important, says singer Mamta Sharma

Mumbai: The trend of adding "item songs" in Hindi films to spice up things and attract eyeballs continues to find favour in Bollywood, and playback singer Mamta Sharma remains in demand for this genre.

Filmmakers Tigmanshu Dhulia, Abhinav Kashyap and Indra Kumar will be having item numbers in their upcoming movies 'Bullet Raja', 'Besharam', 'Grand Masti' respectively.

Dhulia's 'Bullet Raja', starring Saif Ali Khan and Sonakshi Sinha, deals with the underworld and is set against the backdrop of Uttar Pradesh-based mafia.

The film, set for September 6 release, is going to have an item or promotional song.

'Besharam', Kashyap's second outing after 'Dabangg', is one of the most anticipated films of the year. It stars Ranbir Kapoor, Rishi Kapoor, Neetu Kapoor and Pallavi Sharda in the lead roles. The shooting for the film in currently on.

'Grand Masti' is an upcoming adult comedy film directed by Indra Kumar. The film is a sequel to the 2004 hit 'Masti' and will see Vivek Oberoi, Aftab Shivdasani and Riteish Deshmukh reprising their roles from the original one.

"I have done songs for 'Zanjeer', 'Bullet Raja', 'Besharam' and 'Grand Masti'. Mostly, these are promotional or item songs," Mamta Sharma said at an event here last night.

Mamta, who has sung chartbusters like 'Munni Badnam Hui', 'Anarkali Disco Chali, 'Fevicol Se' and others, is quite excited about her upcoming item songs.

"I have sung different kind of songs for these films. All are promotional songs or item songs, or whatever you would like to call them. For me they are naughty songs, which are played in parties and that make people happy and dance. I

can't talk much about the songs or their lyrics," she said.

One will get to see actress Priyanka Chopra doing yet another special song in upcoming film 'Zanjeer'. Priyanka's first item number, 'Babli Badmaash' from 'Shootout in Wadala', is becoming quite popular.

For the remake version of megastar Amitabh Bachchan's 1973 film 'Zanjeer', Priyanka is performing an item number which is reportedly called 'Pinky'.

"I have done a song for Priyanka in 'Zanjeer' that is being choreographed by Ganesh Acharya. You will get to hear it in say two months' time when the trailer of 'Zanjeer' will be out," Mamta said.

Acharya has earlier directed item numbers like 'Halkat Jawaani' and 'Chikni Chameli'.

'Zanjeer', directed by Apoorva Lakhia, marks the Bollywood debut of Ram Charan Teja, South Indian actor and son of filmstar-turned-politician Chiranjeevi. The film also stars Sanjay Dutt, Prakash Raj and Mahie Gill.