Malaika Arora stated that she had no agency plan to turn out to be synonymous with ‘item songs‘ in films, but decided to take up Dil Se’s Chaiyya Chaiyya on the insistence of her ‘dear friend’, choreographer Farah Khan. Malaika, who has since carried out many particular dance numbers in main movies, went on to defend ‘item numbers’, suggesting that they’re only a illustration of the colorful, ‘larger-than-life’ nature of Indian movies.
In an look on Namrata Zakaria’s podcast, Tell Me How You Did It, Malaika stated that the provide was just too good to refuse. She’d be working with not simply Farah, however co-star Shah Rukh Khan, director Mani Ratnam, composer AR Rahman, and cinematographer Santosh Sivan. Plus, she’d be paid for doing one thing she already loved.
“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,” she stated.
Malaika 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.”
She famous that the songs ‘really helped the economics’ of these movies. Besides Chaiyya Chaiyya, Malaika has additionally appeared in hit numbers resembling Munni Badmaan Hui, Anarkali Disco Chali, and lots of extra. She additionally seems as a choose on actuality exhibits resembling India’s Best Dancer and India’s Got Talent.
